Aaron Mango, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, was honored by Attorney General Eric Holder at the 57th annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony Oct. 21 in Washington, D.C.

Mango received the award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee. He joined the Attorney General's Office in 2007 and has focused on environmental cases, heading the Environmental Subommittee of the office's Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, while also volunteering to handle child-exploitation cases. He brought three years of experience to his position, including two as an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts.

Kathleen Mehltretter, U.S. Attorney for the Western District, said of Mango in a release: "In addition to his legal skills and work ethic, AUSA Mango also boosts morale in the office.... He is always ready to assist a colleague and always willing to give the extra effort to ensure that justice is served."

Greiner retires from UB Law

Former University at Buffalo president, provost and longtime law school professor William Greiner announced his retirement after 42 years at UB.

Greiner, who served as UB's 13th president from 1991 until 2004, is perhaps best known for his push to upgrade the university's athletic program to the NCAA Division 1 level. Following his retirement as president, Greiner has spent the last five years teaching classes at the law school and in UB's Graduate School of Education. UB's current president, John Simpson, referred to Greiner in a release as "the consummate UB citizen."

"As Bill's successor, I have benefitted not only from his wide experience and institutional knowledge, but also from his remarkable ability to inspire love for UB from so many others," Simpson said.

Law School Dean Makau Mutua said Greiner will be remembered for his mentoring to countless students.

"Professor Greiner's loyalty and selfless service to the law school and to UB has made our community a better place," he said.

Niagara Square practice opens

Attorney Timothy Andruschat recently opened the Andruschat Law Firm at 70 Niagara St., Suite 404, in Buffalo.

The firm focuses on providing legal services for people injured as a result of the negligence of others, with a concentration on matters involving automobile and motorcycle accidents.

34 from Phillips made Super list

Phillips Lytle LLP saw 26 of its Buffalo-based attorneys named as 2009 New York State Super Lawyers.

They are: Frederick Attea; Raymond Barr; Mark Brand; Peter Braun; William Christ; James Donathen; Kevin English; Robert Glanville; Tamar Halpern; Kevin Hogan; Paul Jones; Gary Kotaska; Kenneth Manning; David McNamara; Michael Moravec; John Pappano; Michael Powers; John Schmidt Jr.; Raymond Seitz; Ronald Shubert; James Smyton; John Spitzmiller; Paul Stecker; James Whitcomb; Sharon Wick and Paul Zuydhoek.

Also included on Super Lawyers 2009 was Martin Idzik, a partner with the firm's Jamestown office.

In all, 34 lawyers from the firm's various New York state offices were included.

Courts create guide for voters

For the 2009 general election, the New York State Unified Court System has published a nonpartisan online voter guide.

The guide covers races for state-court elections to trial courts of superior jurisdiction as well as district, city and civil courts. It includes biographical information on participating candidates and a personal statement from each.

The voter guide is available now through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, at nycourts.gov/vote.

-Compiled by Matt Chandler