University at Buffalo Law School Dean Makau Mutua was a guest of President Barack Obama at a ceremony held Nov. 23 at the White House.

The event marked the presentation of this year's RFK Human rights Award to Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise, for their advocacy of women's rights in Zimbabwe.

Mutua was one of five international human-rights experts who served as judges for the award. He is chair of the Kenya Human Rights Commission.

Howe among Cuba delegation

Hon. Barbara Howe, Erie County Surrogate's Court judge and president of the New York state chapter of the National Association of Women Judges, recently traveled to Cuba to research the country's legal system.

Howe was among about 30 judges and lawyers who made the trip, which was designed as a research initiative related to both the Cuban and American legal systems. While there, the delegation met with leaders of the Cuban Society of Civil Rights Law and discussed proceedings and cases with judges and other professionals from the provincial courts. They also met with Mariel Castro, daughter of current president Raul Castro, as part of the visit.

Corporate Counsel officers elected

The Niagara Frontier Corporate Counsel Association Inc., an association of in-house attorneys in Western New York, elected Margaret Gryko as president for the 2009-10 term. She is assistant general counsel for Delaware North Cos. Inc.

Other board officers elected were: vice president, Lawrence DiGiulio, general counsel for Independent Health Association Inc.; secretary, Randy Rucinski, senior attorney for National fuel Gas Distribution Corp.; and treasurer, James Peterson, general counsel and assistant secretary for National Fuel Gas Co.

The NFCCA also elected nine new board members: Christopher Head, Amy Herstek, Karen Mathews, Michael Mendola, Ernest Norman, Carmen Snell, Mark Stuhlmiller, Mark Warren and Diane Zarlock.

Phillips moves up on NLJ 250 list

Phillips Lytle LLP was ranked as the 224th largest law firm in America in the National Law Journal's annual survey of the 250 largest firms in the country. Phillips jumped 20 spots from its 2008 ranking.

Other firms with offices in Buffalo that made the list are: Nixon Peabody LLP, ranked at 51, up from 55; Hodgson Russ LLP, 207, down from 194; Harris Beach PLLC, 220, up from 243; and Hiscock & Barclay LLP at 222, up from No. 228.

The list is compiled from surveys of 300 U.S. law firms. Firms are ranked by total attorneys employed.

Lawyer's paintings now on display

Buffalo attorney and artist Giles Manias is exhibiting a selection of his oil paintings at Quaker Bonnet Eatery, 175 Allen St. in Buffalo.

An opening reception for the show will be held tomorrow from 5p.m. to 8 p.m., and the exhibit will run through the end of December.

Manias' works have been exhibited across Western New York, and he is represented in collections nationwide. He maintains an art studio in the Tri-Main Center in Buffalo.

New leader heading Nixon funds group

Nixon Peabody LLP named partner John Koeppel to lead its investment-funds practice. The practice represents clients in the formation of private-equity funds and in negotiating their private-equity investments.

Koeppel has been with Nixon Peabody since 1998 and splits his time between its Buffalo and New York City offices.

- Compiled by Matt Chandler