The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project Inc. and Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged will host a Champions for Justice Bash, Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rich's Renaissance Atrium. The event will showcase National Pro Bono Celebration Week (Oct. 25-31) and will include an open premium bar for the entire night, food stations and live entertainment from John & Mary and the Valkyries. The evening will also include silent and basket auctions. Last year's gala netted $57,000 for the organizations and the money was used to provide services for families and individuals who otherwise would not have had legal representation. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged at 853-3087.

James Grasso, a partner with Phillips Lytle LLP, authored an article titled "New York Employment Law Update" for the spring 2009 edition of the New York Business Law Journal. Grasso focuses his practice on representing management in both the public and private sectors in labor and employment matters and counsels clients on a range of human resource issues. The New York Business Law Journal is a publication of the New York State Bar Association.

The Minority Bar Association of Western New York Inc. announced the following judicial ratings for candidates seeking election to the New York State Supreme Court Eighth Judicial District. Superior rating: Hon. Christopher Burns, Hon. Shirley Troutman and Hon. John O'Donnell; Well-qualified rating: Hon. Henry Nowak; and Qualified rating: Russell T. Ippolito Jr.

The Allegany County Bar Association passed a resolution recognizing the official court reporters who work in its court system. The resolution addressed the shift by some courts to electronic reporting of proceedings, eliminating the need for court reporters, saying the process "leads to errors in transcription and causes frustration for members of the bench." It went on to deem the presence of court reporters within the court system in Allegany County "essential to the administration of justice."

Robert Simpson, registered patent attorney of Williamsville-based Simpson & Simpson, PLLC, has been awarded board certification in intellectual property law by the Florida Bar. Board certification identifies Simpson as a lawyer with special knowledge, skills and proficiency in intellectual property law and distinguishes him as an expert in this practice area. Simpson & Simpson also has offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

The International Bar Association will hold its annual conference in Madrid, Spain, Oct. 4-9. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature over 150 sessions covering a wide range of legal issues. For more information, visit ibanet.org/conferences/Madrid2009.

Bunkers in Baghdad, the program that collects golf equipment for soldiers fighting overseas as well as returning veterans, is holding a happy hour fund-raiser Friday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Steer, located at 3151 Main St., Buffalo. The event will include food, an open bar and raffles, with all proceeds going to help coordinate the distribution of the equipment to the troops. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Joe Hanna at Goldberg Segalla, 566-5447 or visit bunkersinbaghdad.com.

John Condren, a partner with Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunnigham & Coppola was appointed as an advisory board director to the Western New York office of Camp Good Days and Special Times Inc. Condren says he will be primarily responsible for raising the profile of the organization and working to boost fund-raising for the camp dedicated to helping children who have been affected by cancer, as well as their families.