By MATT CHANDLER
Buffalo Law Journal

The Western New York legal community came together Tuesday evening at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo for the University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association's 48th annual awards dinner.

The evening was capped by the presentation of the annual "Distinguished Alumni Awards," which this year offered a mix of local names you will know, as well as former alumni who have left Western New York and made a legal name for themselves elsewhere.

Erin Peradotto, class of 1984. Currently an associate justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, Peradotto was recognized for her "conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary." She has served in her current post since 2006 and previously worked as a trial attorney for nearly two decades. She is a former assistant attorney general in Buffalo and has worked with the Bar Association of Erie County and the State of New York's Attorney Grievance Committee for the 8th Judicial District.

Roger Jones, class of 1984. Jones was recognized for his leadership as a private practitioner. He is a partner in the Chicago law firm Latham & Watkins. As a member of the tax department, he focuses his practice in tax controversy and litigation matters. He has represented clients at all levels of the federal court system, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also taught in the Chicago-Kent College of Law Graduate Program in Taxation and has been a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at UB Law since 1999.

E. Jeannette Ogden, class of 1983. Ogden, the first and only African-American woman to serve in Erie County Family Court, was honored for her many contributions to the betterment of the community. A Buffalo City Court judge and acting Erie County Family Court judge, Ogden is former president of the UB Law Alumni Association who was first appointed to City Court in 1995, then elected twice to serve 10-year terms. She also worked as a trial attorney for CIGNA Insurance and served as a prosecutor from the Erie County District Attorney's Office and as assistant county attorney. She is a member and past-president of the Women Lawyers of Western New York.

Frank Crlak, class of 1967. The former Erie County district attorney was chosen as a distinguished alumni for his record of public service. Clark served in the district attorney's office in Buffalo for 27 years. First elected to the county's top law-enforcement position in 1996, he cited health concerns in announcing his retirement in 2008. A member of the Dean's Advisory Council at UB Law, Clark served as board president of the 100 Club of Buffalo, which supports members of local law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service agencies and their families. A 2007 recipient of the New York State Bar Association's Outstanding Prosecutor Award, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.

Harvey Kaminski, class of 1977. Kaminski was chosen for his "exemplary service in business." He is president and CEO of Prestige Capital Corp. in Fort Lee, N.J. He also is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council and is an active supporter of the Law School. He has served as a mentor for UB Law students and fielded numerous calls from students seeking career advice. He also has taught at the Law School's New York City Program in International Finance & Law. "It is critical to just give thanks and show gratitude for the positive experiences you have had in your life and what has made you successful," he said. "Life is short. You have to leave a legacy."

Finally, Erie County Court Judge Thomas "Tim" Franczyk was honored for outstanding service to the university by a non-alumnus. He serves as co-director of trial advocacy at the Law School, Franczyk oversees the school-sponsored Buffalo-Niagara National Mock Trial Competition, which last year brought nearly 130 law students from 32 schools to the Buffalo City Court building. Franczyk, a former Erie County prosecutor, has been coaching trial teams, teaching trial advocacy and drafting case problems at UB Law since 1994

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT