Buffalo attorney J. Joseph Wilder will present a CLE course Nov. 2 to in-house attorneys at Consolidated Edison in New York City. The presentation is titled "Spoliation: Appetizers and Entrees for Your Evidence Locker." Wilder previously presented the CLE at the Edison Electric Institute Claims Committee Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., and at meetings of the New York Gas & Electric Utilities Claim Managers Association in Albany.

Phillps' Flynn to address biz council

David Flynn, a partner in the law firm of Phillips Lytle LLP, will participate in a seminar at The Business Council of New York State Inc.'s 2010 Industry-Environment Conference, scheduled Nov. 17-19 in Saratoga Springs. Flynn, whose practice focuses on environmental law and renewable energy, will take part in "Offshore Wind Development." The presentation will discuss potential benefits to New York state, current wind power projects and pitfalls to development.

Hiscock has 5 ‘Super Lawyers'

Five attorneys in the Buffalo office of Hiscock & Barclay were included in the 2010 Super Lawyers publication.

They are: James Domagalski, a partner in the business litigation practice; Frank Gaglione, of counsel to the business litigation group; Robert Heary, a partner in the employment and labor group; Dennis McCoy, a partner in the personal injury practice group; and Catherine Wettlaufer, a partner in the estate planning and probate group.

Kotaska to speak at ECBA

Gary Kotaska, a partner in Phillips Lytle LLP, is the scheduled speaker at a "Noonday Lecture," set for 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Bar Association of Erie County, 438 Main St., Buffalo. He will discuss the fundamentals of ERISA benefit-claim litigation.

He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate counseling, including acquisitions and strategic planning, and employee benefits litigation.

Mass. drug bust has Buffalo connection

A federal judge has ordered the forfeiture of two parcels in Buffalo's Elmwood Village that were purchased with drug proceeds from an international drug organization.

The properties are a commercial building located at 427 Elmwood Ave. and a single-family residence at 262 Bryant St. They were forfeited as part of a five-year investigation and prosecution by the Boston, Mass.-based Organized Crime Drug Task Force.

Buffalo-based DEA and ICE agents and forfeiture specialists in the Buffalo U.S. Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation and prosecution.

Four members of a Boston family with ties to the Buffalo area - Tiem Trinh, Anna Trinh and their sons Quoc Bao Trinh and Tai Trinh - were convicted and sentenced in federal court in Boston.

They will serve a combined total of 60 years in prison for crimes including the following: conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute MDMA, also known as ecstasy; money laundering conspiracy; being a felon in possession of firearms; and perjury.

Pursuant to a combination of guilty pleas and trial convictions, federal Judge William Young also ordered the forfeiture of assets belonging to the family, including the Elmwood Village properties, $22,000 in cash, three Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a Cadillac Escalade, a custom-made platinum and diamond necklace, a Rolex watch and two firearms.

Forfeiture proceedings are still pending with respect to the family's Boston residence.