Buffalo attorney Michael Anton Sciortino received the New York State Bar Association's President's Pro Bono Service Award for 2011 in recognition of his work with the Erie County Bar's Volunteer Lawyers Project. As part of pro bono services, Sciortino represented 146 clients who were faced with losing their homes. He serves full time as assistant director of administrative and learning technology at the School of Public Health and Professions at the University at Buffalo. Also recognized for pro bono contributions was Phillips Lytle LLP, which won an award in the category of Mid-Sized Law Firms. The Buffalo firm was honored for providing more than 3,300 hours of free legal services to disadvantaged families in numerous legal cases. In 2010, Phillips Lytle collectively donated 3,300 hours in pro bono services to low-income and disadvantaged families and nonprofit organizations, totaling more than $833,000 in legal services. Cases involved immigrants held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, as well as prisoners' rights and tax matters.

"As lawyers, we have a duty and responsibility to better our communities and help our neighbors. Particularly now, when government support for legal services has dropped and the need for legal services has grown significantly, pro bono services are more essential than ever," said Stephen Younger, president of the state bar.

"The recipients of our President's Pro Bono Service Awards, including Michael Sciortino and the lawyers at Phillips Lytle, have answered the call with genuine concern, dedication and generosity."

On Friday, May 13, attorneys William Savino and Daniel Brown, partners in the law firm Damon Morey LLP, will serve as panelists at the eighth annual Western New York Bankruptcy Conference. This year's event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Topics will include updates on Chapter 11 bankruptcy, tax issues in Chapter 11 reorganizations, and federal and New York state exemptions and exemption planning.

Savino is an instructor of business law at the University at Buffalo 's School of Management. He also covers commercial litigation for the UB School of Law. Brown, meanwhile, practices in Damon Morey's business litigation and insolvency department.

The New York State Bar Association is offering three CLEs in Buffalo:

• "Dealing with Residential Foreclosures" is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m., May 13 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center, 2402 N. Forest Road, Buffalo.

Until recently, the concept of "foreclosure crisis" was assumed to be limited to the subprime, high-rate segment of the mortgage market. In the past year, however, the New York State Legislature implemented some new procedures to ensure that residential homeowners and their tenants feel less at a loss when foreclosure action begins. The New York State Bar Association's Real Property Law Section will feature faculty members who will instruct area practitioners on how to handle residential foreclosures.

Credits: 8.0 MCLE credits (7.5 in areas of professional practice; 0.5, ethics)

Cost: Members, $165; nonmembers, $250; students, $60.

 • "Employment Law for the General Practitioner and Corporate Counselor" is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 18 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center, 2402 N. Forest Road, Buffalo.

This basic-to-intermediate level program has been updated and revamped from previous years. It is structured to cover on a practical basis the issues and problems typically arising in today's workplace on which corporate counsel, or a private practitioner with a general practice, may be called to handle on behalf of the company or the employee.

Faculty members will share tips and strategies designed to help avoid costly litigation.

Credits: 7.5 MCLE credits (4.5 in areas of professional practice; 2.0, skills; 1.0, ethics)

Cost: Members, $165; nonmembers, $250.

• "How to Commence a Civil Lawsuit" is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 23 at the Holiday Inn Amherst, 1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.

This program will provide a step-by-step guide to initiating a civil lawsuit. The procedural and strategic aspects of bringing and defending cases also will be discussed by local litigators, judges and court personnel.

There will be a special focus on methods to effectively investigate and prove your case or defense.

The seminar will also highlight winning approaches to discovery and deposition techniques.

Credits: 6.5 MCLE credits (3.5 in areas of professional practice; 3.0. skills)

Cost: Through May 13 - members, $125; nonmembers, $175; students, $40. After that date, costs are $140, $190 and $55, respectively.