"The Business of Media in the Age of the Internet: a Panel Discussion" with media critic Mike Niman, political blogger Alan Bedenko and media and attorney Joseph Finnerty is scheduled for 7 p.m., April 11 at Hallwalls.

The event will cover critical issues in media and the law. The discussion will focus on such things as citizen journalism, user-generated content and personal and corporate liability.  Panelists will discuss recent developments including the Newsweek/Daily Beast merger, the AOL purchase of the Huffington Post, the downfall of Congressman Chris Lee and attempts by The New York Times to initiate a paywall. There will be an active discussion with the audience following the panel presentation.

Niman is a professor in the Buffalo State College communications department, a media critic for Artvoice and author of "People of the Rainbow," (University of Tennessee Press). Bedenko is a Buffalo lawyer who blogs at WNYmedia.net as Buffalo Pundit. Finnerty is a media and First Amendment lawyer at Hiscock Barclay in Buffalo.  

For more information, contact Jonathon Welch of Talking Leaves at 837-8554 or email him at: tleaves@tleavesbooks.com

The Buffalo Law Review Dinner, scheduled April 20, will celebrate a year of achievements by students in their respective organizations and recognize UB Law alumni and faculty who have made a difference in the lives of area law students.

The annual event, which will be held at Park Country Club in Williamsville, is chaired by third-year student Ryan Seher, managing editor of the student-run journal. It also recognizes that the Law Review, under Editor-in-Chief Helen Root, published five issues and was highly ranked among university law journals in terms of readership and number of citations from other academic articles.

Two UB Law alumni will be honored at the dinner. Julio Fuentes, class of 1975, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, is the highest-ranking federal judge to graduate from the school. He also serves on UB's Dean's Advisory Council.

"He has helped the law school tremendously," Seher said. "Because of his service to the law school and especially his service to the students, we are honored to have him come speak to us."

Garry Graber, class of '78, is a partner in Hodgson Russ LLP and adjunct faculty member at UB Law. He has more than 30 years of experience in bankruptcy, corporate and financial restructuring, creditors' rights, financial services, commercial and corporate litigation, and general business law.

"We like to keep our ties to the Buffalo legal community strong, and a great way to do this is with this dinner," Seher said. "Mr. Graber is a past president of the UB Law Alumni Association, serves on the Dean's Advisory Council, has held numerous positions on bar committees and has a very distinguished record of service."

The Law Review staff and friends also will celebrate this year's launch of The Docket, an online extension of the journal. The Docket publishes short responses to articles published in the Review and shorter original works such as essays.

Reservations should be made before April 15 by emailing Seher at: rseher@buffalo.edu or call 406-581-4813. 

The University at Buffalo Law School has scheduled the Law School Students of Color dinner for April 21 at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott, 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst. The event recognizes the achievements of distinguished alumni, minority trailblazers, professors and law students who will graduate in May.

Co-sponsors are the Asian American Law Students Association, the Black Law Students Association and the Latin American Law Students Association. The event brings together graduating students, continuing students, alumni, faculty and others to celebrate the achievements of people of color.  

Keynote speaker is John Elmore, who serves as senior trial counsel and managing attorney for the Buffalo law firm Brown Chiari. He is also the author of "Fighting for Your Life: The African American Survival Guide," which addresses the issues of youth and the criminal justice system.

Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented to the following: Buffalo City Court Judge Craig Hannah, class of 1995, an active member of the UB Law Alumni Association's board of directors; and Alberto Benitez, class of '86. He is professor of clinical law at George Washington University Law School.

The Trailblazer Award will be presented to Joseph Hanna '05, a partner who practices commercial litigation with the Buffalo law firm Goldberg Segalla. As president of the Minority Bar Association, he developed a program designed to attract students of color to clerkships in Western New York's 8th Judicial District. He serves as a student mentor for UB Law School.

Other awards to be presented at the dinner are the following:

The Jacob D. Hyman Professor of the Year award - Stephanie Phillips, whose academic focus is critical race theory. She also has worked tirelessly with the Black Law Students Association and serves on UB Law's Diversity Committee.

The Monique E. Emdin Award - Given in honor of the 2007 UB Law graduate who died of cancer when she was 28, it will be presented to a third-year law student. The award is a collaboration between Hiscock & Barclay LLP and Bethesda World Harvest International Church. Also, the "Lift as We Climb" scholarship will be awarded to a high school student.