ALBANYLAW

MAGAZINE
The high stakes of faculty
scholarship
pg. 26

ALSO INSIDE:
Grads in D.C.; Vilsack’s
take on running for
president; excerpt from
Lytton’s on Holding
Bishops Accountable;
reflections from the State
Bar president; mother and
son in school together.
.

SPRING 2008
ALBANY LAW SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2007-2008

CHAIRMAN Larry P. Schiffer, Esq. ’79

20
E. Stewart Jones Jr., Esq. ’66 New York, N.Y.
Troy, N.Y.
Eugene M. Sneeringer Jr., Esq. ’79
VICE CHAIR
Albany, N.Y.
Mary Ann McGinn, Esq. ’83 Victoria M. Stanton, Esq. ’87
Albany, N.Y. Glenmont, N.Y.
Robert B. Stiles, Esq. ’76
SECRETARY Rochester, N.Y.
Robert C. Miller, Esq. ’68
Clifton Park, N.Y. Dale M. Thuillez, Esq. ’72
Albany, N.Y.
TREASURER Johnna G. Torsone, Esq. ’75
Hon. Erik E. Joh, ’70 Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, Conn.
Boynton Beach, Fla.
Hon. Randolph F. Treece ’76
MEMBERS Albany, N.Y.
Stephen C. Ainlay, Ph.D. Allen J. Vickey, Esq. ’05
Schenectady, N.Y. New York, N.Y.
William A. Brewer III, Esq. ’77 Donna E. Wardlaw, Esq. ’77
Dallas, Texas Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Hon. Anthony V. Cardona ’70 Stephen P. Younger, Esq. ’82
Albany, N.Y. New York, N.Y.
Barbara D. Cottrell, Esq. ’84
EX OFFICIO
Albany, N.Y.
Thomas F. Guernsey
Benjamin D. Gold, Esq. ’06 President and Dean,
New York, N.Y. Albany, N.Y.
J.K. Hage III, Esq. ’78
Utica, N.Y. EMERITI
Hon. Richard J. Bartlett
Susan M. Halpern, Esq. ’83 Glens Falls, N.Y.
Denton, Texas
Charlotte S. Buchanan, Esq. ’80
Harold Hanson, Esq. ’66 Glenmont, N.Y.
Bonita Springs, Fla.
Harry J. D’Agostino, Esq. ’55
James E. Kelly, Esq. ’83 Colonie, N.Y.
Garden City, N.Y.
Donald D. DeAngelis Esq. ’60
Peter C. Kopff, Esq. ’75 Albany, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
Robert V. Gianniny, Esq. ’53
Betty Lugo, Esq. ’84 Rochester, N.Y.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jonathan P. Harvey, Esq. ’66
Hon. Bernard J. Malone Jr. ’72 Albany, N.Y.
Albany, N.Y.
Stephen M. Kiernan, Esq. ’62
Jacqueline Mecchella-Bushwack, Esq. ’07 Voorheesville, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
Matthew H. Mataraso, Esq. ’58
Thomas J. Mullin, Esq. ’76 Albany, N.Y.
Rochester, N.Y.
Hon. Thomas J. McAvoy ’64
William F. Pendergast, Esq. ’72 Binghamton, N.Y.
Washington, D.C.
Frank H. Penski, Esq. ’74
James T. Potter, Esq. ’80 New York, N.Y.
Albany, N.Y.
Peter M. Pryor, Esq. ’54
Rory J. Radding, Esq. ’75 Albany, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
William E. Redmond, Esq. ’55
Richard A. Reed, Esq. ’81 Albany, N.Y.
Albany, N.Y.
Edgar A. Sandman, Esq. ’46
Harry Robinson, Esq. ’65 Naples, Fla.
Cohoes, N.Y.
David S. Williams, Esq. ’42
Hon. John L. Sampson ’91 Slingerlands, N.Y.

26
Albany, N.Y.
John J. Yanas, Esq. ’53
Thomas M. Santoro, Esq. ’72 Albany, N.Y.
Miami, Fla.
ALBANYLAW

MAGAZINE
SPRING 2008

F E AT U R E S PRESIDENT AND DEAN

Thomas F. Guernsey
20 Five Grads in D.C.: VICE PRESIDENT OF
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Playing Albany’s Local Sport on a National Field
Helen Adams-Keane
By Paul Grondahl
EDITOR
Five alumni describe their paths from Albany to Washington, where they
David Singer
play in the major leagues of U.S. politics. Their stories include presidential
politics up close, partisan Congressional maneuvering, and high-rolling CONTRIBUTOR
international negotiations. Nicole Soucy
MAGAZINE DESIGN
26 Faculty Scholarship: 2k Design, Clifton Park, N.Y.
Moving the School from Good to Great
DIRECTOR, ALUMNI AFFAIRS
By David Singer Christina Sebastian
A law school’s national reputation significantly relies on the reputation
of the faculty. The faculty’s ability to publish scholarly work drives the AlbanyLaw Magazine is published twice a year.
perception of the school at every level. In its recent efforts to elevate its
national standings, Albany Law continues its pursuit for faculty greatness. 80 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, N.Y. 12208-3494
518-445-3211
www.albanylaw.edu
D E PA R T M E N T S

2 In Brief

13 Student Life

18 Alumni at Work

31 Faculty Work

33 Faculty Notes
Corrections
38 Alumni News In an article in the Fall ’07 issue titled “Prof. Bowmar
Retires After Three Decades,” we incorrectly stated how
43 Class Notes long Prof. Bowmar was a faculty member at Albany Law
School. Prof. Bowmar taught at the school for 40 years.
55 In Memoriam
In an article in the same issue, titled “Law in the Family:
Today’s Students Following Parent’s Path,” we mistakenly
omitted from the list Kathleen “Casey” Copps ’09, who
has two parents who graduated from Albany Law School:
Carl D. Copps ’80 and Anne Reynolds Copps ’81.
1
 INBRIEF

Thoughtful and Savvy, Vilsack ’75 Answers Any and Every Question Asked
death decisions in hospital
situations, but a committed gay
couple for 25 years has none of
those rights? We ought to have a
civil system to support the value
commitment.”
Earlier that day it was
announced that former vice
president Al Gore had won the
Nobel Peace Prize. Asked by a
“How can someone student whether Gore should
run for president, Vilsack, who
be married to at the time was national co-chair
Britney Spears for Sen. Clinton’s presidential
campaign, offered an unrehearsed
for 54 hours and response that called for Gore to
have all the rights follow his “passion” as an environ-
mental advocate. By the time the
attached to it, Vilsack speaking to students on campus. That night he received the second television interviewer
asked him the same question
like inheritance Distinguished Alumni Award.
later that day, Vilsack’s message
and life and death Like any good presidential candi- and no greater pressure than had swelled to a confident,
date, two-term Iowa governor being in a courtroom in front perfectly crafted reply.
decisions… but Tom Vilsack ’75 can talk fluently of a jury,” Vilsack said toward At the time of his visit,
a committed about pretty much any domestic the middle of the session. Vilsack was heading a national
or international issue, often Asked about intellectual task force of 30 people to
gay couple for attached to personal stories that property, the ’75 grad offered an examine the science, economics
25 years has none hit the core of the matter.
A room filled with students
amusing tale about his trip to
China to promote a protected
and politics of global warming.
Vilsack has long been outspoken
of those rights?” last October 2007 leveled pointed process for producing Iowan’s on energy and security issues,
questions at the man who months soy bean. as governor and presidential
before dropped out of the On gay marriage, Vilsack candidate, and has called for
presidential race. But his chops said he needed to “dodge” the replacing the Department of
were still sharp for questions on question because his law firm, Energy with a Department of
Iran, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Dorsey & Whitney, was repre- Energy Security.
Israel, ethanol, immigration, senting six gay couples. But in Vilsack was on campus to
who owns Jerusalem, and other the end he couldn’t resist. “We receive the Albany Law
hot topics of the day. need to look at ourselves…what Distinguished Alumni Award,
After an hour of questions, is the value we’re trying to which he accepted that evening
Vilsack seemed not only promote here? I think it’s the at the Barrister Ball. The annual
undaunted, but to be just warm- notion of commitment…. How event is held to honor the
ing up. You got the feeling that can someone be married to School’s largest donors. –DS
the students had only scratched Britney Spears for 54 hours and
the Vilsack surface. have all the rights attached to it,
“But there’s no greater feeling, like inheritance and life and
2
 INBRIEF

Government Law Center Celebrates

30 Years as a Leading Think-Tank
The Annual Saratoga Institute on Racing & Gaming Law this year
attracted more-than-usual attention as the NYRA contract issue swirled
around it, among other gambling controversies across the state and
country. The monthly Warren M. Anderson Legislative Breakfast
Seminar brings in top decision-makers from all areas of government
to talk about issues pending before the New York State Legislature.
The newly-launched public authority initiative already has provided
thought leadership on public authority reform. Two GLC-supported
blogs draw more than 3,000 visitors every week. And two-day symposia,
like the upcoming event examining religion and land use, draw interest
from scholars throughout the country and occasionally the world.
What started as a small Center 30 years ago with one full-time
professor acting as Director and a part-time staff person now boasts
10 staff members, a government lawyer in residence, a Sandman
Fellow, consultants, and active involvement of faculty and dozens of
law students each year.
Led by Patricia Salkin, Associate Dean and Director of the Center
’88, with a 50-member advisory board, projects are wide-ranging. For
example, in a partnership with AARP, the Center recently researched
issues on grandparent caregivers to promote and implement sound
policies at all levels of government. Senior Citizens’ Law Day last year The Government Law Center staff. Back row
drew more than 500 seniors and care givers to spend a day at Albany from left: Kelly Ashe, Administrative Assistant;
Law to learn about long-term care, choosing an elder law attorney, Patricia E. Salkin, Esq., Associate Dean & Director;
creating health care proxies and living wills, and more. Sharmaine Moseley, Coordinator, Albany Citizens’ Police Review Board;
Partnerships with the city, county, state and federal level help drive and Bennett Liebman, Esq., Executive Director. Front row from left:
the Center’s engine, creating student opportunities that include gov- Robert C. Batson, Esq., Government Lawyer in Residence; Louise Owens,
ernment internships locally and in D.C., in-house research intern- Executive Assistant; Rose Mary Bailly, Esq., Special Consultant; Amy
ships, workstudy programs and positions on the Government & Policy Lavine, Esq., Staff Attorney; and Barbara A. Mabel, Administrative
Journal, a publication produced by the N.Y. State Bar Association. Director. Inset: Michele Ann Monforte Publications Editor, and Paul
One of the leading school-based government think tanks, given its Moore, Project Director, Shared Municipal Services Incentives Program.
location in New York’s capital, the Center expects continued growth.

Debating Voting Technology for Tomorrow’s Elections

A day-long symposium featuring election experts examined the current
legislation driving election processes, the way these processes affect voters’
rights, an historical context that led us to this moment in time, and what
technology we may expect for the future. Speakers included Paul Herrnson,
Director, Center for American Politics and Citizenship, various election
commissioners in N.Y. state, and N.Y. State Sen. Martin Connor.
Pictured at left is Matthew Masterson, U.S. Election Assistance Commission,
who provided an overview of federal election voting strategies.

3
INBRIEF
Albany Law Bloggers Draw Project Helping Municipalities
Thousands of Visitors Weekly Consolidate and Share Services
Faculty and staff have been actively Best Practices for Legal Municipalities might like to share a series of
maintaining several legal blogs Education: Mary Lynch, the more mundane services regional
covering a wide range of topics. Clinical Professor of Law and among themselves but are often workshops
Co-Director of the Albany Law stymied by a myriad of local, held last fall
Law of the Land: Patricia E.
Clinic & Justice Center, serves state and federal rules that can all across
Salkin, Associate Dean and
as editor for http://bestpractices- deter their efforts. Sharing New York
Director of the Government Law
legaled.albanylawblogs.org, a municipal water, for example, bringing
Center, writes daily on current
source for information on current comes with great financial, engi- technical
laws, policies and decisions that Paul Moore
reforms, and an online place to neering, health and safety issues. assistance
affect the use of land, highlight-
exchange ideas on legal education. The Government Law Center to over 1,000 local officials.
ing new court decisions, state
staff, led by project director Paul The site—located at
and federal laws and policies, Same-Sex Unions in the
Moore and a team of students, www.assembly.state.ny.us—
and actions at the local govern- Conflict of Laws: Professor
have been working on several includes areas such as animal
ment level that guide and/or Stephen Clark’s blog,
fronts under a contract with the control, consolidation of local
impact land use and community www.samesexconflicts.com,
Department of State to help governments, cooperative
development. The blog, focuses on the interjurisdictional
municipalities undertake shared agreements between local
http://lawoftheland.albanylaw.edu, recognition of same-sex marriages,
service projects. The most governments, and solid waste
generates more than 2,000 visits civil unions and domestic
visible accomplishments are: a management, to name a few.
per week. partnerships.
compilation of two dozen case The project is part of the
Community Benefits Agree- studies of shared service state’s technical assistance
ments: Government Law Center initiatives available at the provided under the Shared
Staff Attorney Amy Lavine Department of State’s web site Municipal Services Incentive
writes about development projects (www.dos.state.ny.us); a series of (SMSI) Grant[s] Program,
and strategies to link good jobs, “legal frameworks” for various which also provides grants to
affordable housing, social justice local government functions done local governments to promote
and livable neighborhoods on in collaboration with the Legisla- sharing services.
http://communitybenefits.blogs tive Commission on State-Local
pot.com. Relations and available on
the State’s Assembly’s web site
This blog receives around 2,000
(www.assembly.state.ny.us); and
visits a week.

Applicant Numbers Rise while Numbers Fall Nationally

More than 2,300 applied from 47 states for 250 seats in the Class of 2011.
This includes applicants from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, from the war
zone in Iraq, and five other countries. More than 110 people applied from
California. Minority applicants rose by 59%, and overall applications were
up by 25%. Nationally, law school applications are down by 1%.
This year the Admissions Office was moved and renovated, creating a
more prominent campus presence for prospective students. Designed to
feel like a downtown law firm, the suite is also home to the school’s new
Diversity Office.
Pictured from left: Gail S. Bensen, Director of Admissions; Lisa
Swartwood, Office Assistant; Ashley Fluster, Admissions Secretary; and
Pershia Wilkins, Director of Diversity.

4
Clinic Students Win Insurance
Appeal for Life-Prolonging Drug
By Nicole Soucy

Doctors said he would die by As a result of the insurance

the end of 2007. company’s decision, the
“My husband would not be Hazelton’s literally went door-
alive today if it wasn’t for the to-door soliciting donations to
Health Law Clinic,” said Faith come up with a down payment
Hazelton. for the cancer treatments. The
Faith’s husband, Edward J. Hazelton’s community in Glens
Hazelton, has terminal, irre- Falls, N.Y., even held fundraisers
versible brain cancer. After they at the local high school to pay
were initially denied coverage, for his treatments.
they turned to the law school’s “One of my treatments was
Cancer patient Ed Hazelton surrounded by, from left, Donald J.
Health Law Clinic to help them delayed a week just so I could
Labriola ’08, Ed’s wife Faith Hazelton, Daniel M. Lindenberg ’08 and
persuade Empire Blue Cross and scrape together $8,000,” he
Professor Joseph Connors.
Blue Shield to pay for Edward’s explained. The good news was
chemotherapy—a treatment that the chemotherapy was working.
cost $42,000 a month. Although his long-range prognosis for Hazelton’s past and future treat breast cancer. The FDA still
remained terminal, the chemo- treatments. has not approved the treatment
Fight for Coverage therapy could help him live his for brain cancer.
After several different treatments remaining years pain-free. Medical-Legal Collaboration In order to reach out to
were unsuccessful, Hazelton’s On Sept. 6, 2007, the With the Health Law Clinic’s other patients in similar insurance
doctor, Susan Weaver, requested Clinic submitted the appeal for recent successful case, Professor disputes, the Clinic posted
approval of insurance coverage insurance coverage of the treat- Connors says the medical-legal many of the documents relating
for the cutting-edge treatment ment Avastin/CPT 11. The collaboration not only helps to the Hazelton case on the
Avastin/CPT 11—which was letter included cited reports of resolve legal disputes, but leads clinic’s Web site at www.albany-
originally developed to treat “impressive results” of Avastin’s to improved health outcomes law.edu/clinic. Since then,
colon cancer. Empire Blue Cross alternate use found by the for clients. “Doctors and lawyers Professor Connors has received a
refused. Dr. Weaver tried several Brain Tumor Center at Duke working together can achieve number of emails from individ-
more times unsuccessfully. University Medical Center. It also what neither can alone.” uals who are using the medical
Knowing Hazelton had a limited explained how the chemotherapy The students who worked research conducted by Lindenberg
window of opportunity, she had improved Hazelton’s quality on this case—Donald J. Labriola and Labriola to support their
referred the Hazeltons to the of life and likely expanded his ’08 and Daniel M. Lindenberg own insurance appeals.
Health Law Clinic in May 2007. time with his family and friends. ’08—are planning on a career in As for Hazelton, he is feeling
Professor Joseph Connors, In an affirmation document health law. much better. He’s doing so well
director of the Health Law accompanying the Law School Labriola even plans to launch that he and his wife went to
Clinic, and students Donald J. appeal, Dr. Weaver said the his own poverty law agency in Florida in February for vacation.
Labriola ’08 and Daniel M. “experimental” usage of cancer Albany.
Lindenberg ’08 took on the case. drugs—Avastin/CPT 11 in “I want to focus my practice
The Clinic’s initial informal particular—“has become very on representing HIV/AIDS
attempts to resolve Hazelton’s common among neuro-oncolo- patients facing discrimination
coverage dispute were unsuccessful. gists across the country and and helping the elderly with “My husband
“The insurance company
would not even consider review-
is routinely approved by other
insurance companies.”
insurance problems.”
would not be alive
ing coverage before Mr. Hazelton Six days later, Empire Blue Aftermath today if it wasn’t
received treatment,” explained Cross approved the treatment, Months after the Clinic won the
Professor Connors. “He had to pay finding it “medically necessary,” Hazelton case, Avastin/CPT 11
for the Health
out-of-pocket for the treatment.” and would provide coverage was approved by the FDA to Law Clinic.”
5
INBRIEF
International Child Rights Expert Examining the Legal Issues
Joins Faculty around Child Soldiers, Child
Maria Grahn-Farley has been
Trafficking and Child Labor
appointed an associate professor
of law. She was previously a
visiting assistant professor of law
at the school last year.
Before joining Albany Law
School, Grahn-Farley was a
faculty adviser at Harvard
University and a visiting scholar
at Boston College. She is currently
an S.J.D. candidate at Harvard
Law School. She completed the
LL.M. program (degree waived)
at Harvard Law School in 2005
Prof. Grahn-Farley speaking on
and holds an LL.M. from the
campus earlier this year.
Gothenburg University School
of Economics and Commercial awareness on campus about the
Law, Gothenburg, Sweden. Her legal issues surrounding child
focus is on International Law soldiers and trafficked children by
and Human Rights, specifically helping to organize a symposium
International Child Rights. with the Amnesty International
This past semester she raised Chapter of Albany Law.

Prof. Young speaking at a child-rights event.

Professor Donna Young spoke to a standing-room only crowd earlier

this semester on the gender differences in children’s labor at the
Law School’s symposium titled, “Lost Childhood: Child Soldiers,
Trafficked Children, and Child Rights.”
Young focused on the different work that boys and girls are
forced to perform, calling these distinctions a vehicle for under-
standing the systemic causes of a global market in child labor.
These gendered divisions of labor, Young said, help to reveal the
cultural and financial motivators of child labor in different nations;
understanding these gender patterns allows us to better approach
Law School Hosts National BALSA Retreat issues like education, health care and property rights, for example.
The day-long event offered three sections led by panelists
The National Black Law Students Association’s northeast division held
addressing the categories of: Child Soldiers; Victims of Trafficking;
a full-day academic retreat on the Albany Law campus last semester.
and Rights, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.”
A line-up of prominent speakers addressed issues around student debt,
Coordinated by the school’s Chapter of Amnesty International,
exam writing, Bar exam preparation, minority issues and career choices.
under the leadership of Professor Maria Grahn-Farley and the
The group watched the movie “They Had a Dream Too—Young
chapter’s president Allegra Edelman ’08, with assistance from the
Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.”
chapter’s vice president Andrea Shaw ’08, sponsors included the
Some of the speakers included, from left, William Little ’05,
Albany Law School Diversity Office and Amnesty International.
John Higgins ’89 (standing), Rachel (Perez) Ryan ’05, and Christina
Roberts ’01.

6
“A well regulated Militia,
being necessary to the
security of a free State….”
Gun Conference Stirs Passions of Both Sides,
Hitting Issues beyond a Legal Solution
“We regulate almost everything asked. “No other country has Tushnet, William Nelson
that can harm people: jobs, this feeling…. If the public Cromwell Professor of Law,
drugs, cars, even stop signs,” could emulate what the school Harvard Law School.
said Professor Paul Finkelman, did here: reasonable dialogue Stephen Teret, Director of
opening his two-day gun confer- about the issue.” the Center for Law and the
ence with a challenge for hearty Sanford Levinson called the Public’s Health, Johns Hopkins
discussion. “It seems the most second amendment “a drunken Bloomberg School of Public
dangerous things we have get uncle at a family reunion: he is Health, looked at gun violence
Constitutional protection…. entitled to be there.” He praised as an epidemiology issue; Matt
We’re all interested in a better and Harvard Law’s Mark Tushnet, Bennett, Vice President for
safe society, but how you get there who also spoke at the program, Public Affairs, Third Way, took
depends on who you talk to.” for noting that the Constitution a public policy approach, his
Finkelman’s statement was will not solve the problem in this remarks entitled “Misfire: How
followed by two days of debate country. The issue, said Levinson, the Debate Over Gun Rights
culminating with the former was about “who controls the Ignores Reality.”
Detroit mayor Dennis W. Archer means of violence.” Levinson, the Richard Jay Feldman, a former
addressing the issue of enforce- W. St. John Garwood and W. legislative director for the NRA,
ment by likening it to cigarettes. St. John Garwood Jr. Centennial presented “Ricochet: Confessions
“You can’t put a cop on every Chair in Law for University of of a Gun Lobbyist” and released
corner, and if you did, the Texas at Austin School of Law, his new book of the same title at
shooting goes on behind closed delivered the Edward C. Sobota the event.
doors in the home…. Look at ’79 Memorial Lecture as part of The conference was cospon-
smoking today. It’s completely the conference. sored by the Government Law
different today because people Albany Law’s Finkelman, the Center, the Albany Government
showed they cared. But with so President William McKinley Law Review, and The Ohio State
much going on in our lives, you Distinguished Professor of Law University. –DS
don’t react to gun control issues and Public Policy and Senior
until it hits a loved one.” Fellow in the Government Law
Archer, who served two four- Center, directed the October
year terms as mayor and now is conference that also included
chairman of the Detroit-based law speakers like: Carl T. Bogus,
firm Dickinson Wright, delivered Professor of Law, Roger Williams From top to bottom: Conference
the Edwin Crawford Memorial University Law School; Leslie F. director Prof. Paul Finkleman;
Lecture as part of the 2nd Goldstein, Judge Hugh M. Morris Dean Thomas Guernsey and Prof.
Amendment conference titled Professor, University of Delaware; Kathe Klare listened to the morn-
“Fire Arms, the Militia and Safe David Konig, Professor of ing speakers; Sanford Levinson
Cities: Merging History, Constitu- History and Law at Washington delivered the Sobota Lecture; and
tional Law and Public Policy.” University in St. Louis; Timothy former Detroit mayor Dennis
“Why can’t we have reasonable D. Lytton, Professor of Law, Archer spoke on guns in the city
dialogue in this country?” Archer Albany Law School; and Mark for the Crawford Lecture.

7
INBRIEF Mae D’Agostino (below, left) and
Melissa Mourges (below, right)
both received the 2008 Kate
Stoneman Award, an annual
Keynote speaker Arlinda Locklear award that started 14 years ago
likened the prejudice faced by celebrating women’s achievements
women to the struggles faced by in law. Far right, Mimi Netter ’72,
DAY
KATE STONEMAN American Indians. who hosted the event.

ABA Book Commemorates School’s First Alumna, Web Site Launched

Kate Stoneman and the stories Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye,
of pioneering women in law are the late Honorable Constance
the subjects of the new Pioneering Baker Motley, Hon. Mary
Women Lawyers: From Kate Donohue, and Jeanine Pirro. It
Stoneman to the Present. The also includes a foreword written
book, edited by Associate Dean by Dean Thomas Guernsey,
Patricia Salkin, documents Kate background history by Kate
Stoneman’s legislative triumph Stoneman Chair in Law and
to become the first woman Democracy Katheryn Katz, and
admitted to practice law in an introduction by Professor
New York. It is told through Mary Lynch.
12 keynote speeches delivered The book's release coincided
on each annual Kate Stoneman with the launch of a Web site
Day. These include N.Y. State focused on Kate Stoneman, and
8
 Locklear, Nation’s Premiere Defender
of Native American Rights, Delivers Keynote
“Every woman of my generation Locklear, a Lumbee Tribe member cases, winning all of them. In
has their own story of gender whose career has focused on the Oneida Tribe of Indians of
inequality and the law,” Arlinda Native American rights, including Wisconsin, she argued that
Locklear told a mostly filled cases argued and won before the tribes have a federal common
lecture hall as the keynote speaker U.S. Supreme Court. law right to sue for possession of
for the Annual Kate Stoneman “Each tribe has its own story tribal land taken in violation of
Day March 6. of mistreatment,” she continued, federal law. The Court adopted
“There are hundreds of citing the example of a reserva- her argument as the basis for all
variations of the Kate Stoneman tion’s water supply diverted for other land claim litigation.
story in Indian Country,” said another community, making
the reservation inhospitable, a Award Winners
situation she legally fought, Mae A. D’Agostino and Melissa
successfully flowing the water Mourges ’80, lawyers with two
back onto the reservation. very different stories, also
Her most personal battle, received Kate Stoneman Awards.
she said—“the story that Mourges, co-chief of the
brought her into the law” DNA Cold Case Unit in the
30 years ago—was the 100-plus New York County District
tribal communities yet to be Attorney’s Office, described the
recognized by the federal feeling of calling a 59-year-old
government, despite inhabiting woman to tell her they’ve found
their lands for centuries. the man who raped her 32 years
Her own North Carolina tribe ago, linking him to dozens of
remains unrecognized, though other rapes around the country.
the tribe has been there since Mourges has brought numerous
1790. Without that recognition, previously-unsolved rape and
they have no protection of their homicide cases to trial using the
rights to their land, culture and 17,000 “sexual assault kits” that
to Honor and Continue Her Triumphs discrimination. were saved long before DNA
Locklear’s most “difficult technology was accessible.
the 14th Annual Kate Stoneman Bar Association’s store
lesson: that these battles may D’Agostino, a partner with
Day celebration on March 6. www.abanet.org/abastore.
not be won in your lifetime, and the Albany Law Firm D’Agostino,
The Web site, www.kate-
that it’s “your place to simply Krackeler, Baynes & Maguire,
stoneman.org, celebrates the
move it for- urged firms, and the larger legal
rebellious spirit of Stoneman
ward.” community, to start doing far
and those who have followed
The first more for female lawyers, partic-
her tradition. Site highlights
Native ularly those with young families.
include Stoneman’s biography
American to A past member of Albany Law’s
and publications, featured events
appear before Board of Trustees and a coach for
for women in law, and the Kate
the U.S. the Albany Law Trial Team for a
Stoneman Awards program.
Supreme decade, she teaches medical mal-
Pioneering Women Lawyers: From
Court, she has practice as an adjunct professor.
Kate Stoneman to the Present can
argued several –DS
be purchased at the American
9
 INBRIEF
Albany Law in the News Students Cut their Teeth
New York Times in Moot Court Competition
“As far as I know, he’s the first politician since the Civil War to
recognize how deeply embedded slavery and race have been in our
Constitution. That’s a profoundly important thing to say. But what’s
important about the way he said it is he doesn’t use this as a
springboard for anger or for frustration… . This is not a reparations
speech. This is a speech about saying it’s time for the nation to do
better, to form a more perfect union.” Professor Paul Finkelman in the
article titled “Obama chooses reconciliation over rancor,” March 19, 2008.

Business Daily Africa

“It is high time ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) and PNU (Party
of National Unity) sat down and negotiated a way out of the crisis. Winners Kelly Pressler and Sebastian Vaneria (in the center) surrounded
It is good that respected personalities have shown interest in helping by the judges of the final competition. From left: Professor Sheldon Halpern;
mediate. That people like Desmond Tutu and President Kufuor are Judge Robert S. Smith, N.Y. State Court of Appeals; Judge Victoria A.
concerned about Kenya is a sign that the crisis is of international Graffeo ’77, N.Y. State Court of Appeals; Judge David N. Hurd, U.S.
concern.” Professor James Thuo Gathii in an article titled “World heavy- District Court, Northern District of New York, and Judge Gary L. Sharpe,
weights push fast-track mediation,” January 8, 2008. U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York.
Forbes.com
For 10 weeks 33 two-person teams competed in a moot court setting
“GMs are very sophisticated people. A lot of them may not think
arguing before a panel of three judges. In the end one team remained,
A-Rod is even worth what he already was getting.” Professor Paul
winners Kelly Pressler ’09 and Sebastian Vaneria ’09.
Finkelman in the article titled “Why A-Rod's Not Worth It,” November 15, 2007. The Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition focused
this year on an intellectual property issue centered on the use of
Newsday
trademarked terms sold for Internet advertising on search engine sites.
“Closing off racing could potentially be a very risky political strategy.”
Other winners, all from the class of ’09, include: Matthew Skinner
Bennett Liebman, coordinator of the Racing & Wagering Law Program, and Kristen Wilson as finalists in the overall category, Gareth Hedges for
in an article titled “NYRA warns race tracks could be closed in dispute,” best oral advocate, and Andria Bentley and Kristin Dascher for best brief.
November 6, 2007. Also in attendance at the competition was former Professor
Ann Horowitz, who funds the prizes for winners of the best written
appellate briefs.

TECH IN THE CLASSROOM

360 miles away, but the professor still calls on you
Students from the Semester in Government program in Washington,
D.C., are taking a Government Ethics course with adjunct professor
Luke Bierman, Legal Services
Division General Counsel, Office of
the State Comptroller, New York.
Every Thursday night the students
go to a class room at George
Washington University Law School
to participate in the class via video-
conferencing. Occasionally Bierman
has taught the class in D.C.; for this
the Albany students participate via
videoconferencing.
10
 ?
The first five alumni to correctly

Who are they?

name anyone in either photo
win an Albany Law School cap.
The first two to correctly name
all alumni in either photo,
including graduation year, each
win a Law School sweatshirt.

Submit your answers to

Christina Sebastian, Director of
Alumni Affairs, at 518-445-3361
or [email protected].

IP Alumni Share Experiences, Career Advice

A panel of Albany Law alumni talked about their IP careers and offered
advice to a few dozen students weighing similar paths for their own futures.
Panel members pictured above are, bottom row from left: Todd M.
Friedman ’98, partner with Kirkland & Ellis; Irene A. Lippa ’06, at the
time an associate with Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts; Marc D. Schechter’78,
Senior Group IP Law Counsel, IBM Americas Sales & Distribution,
IBM Canada, IBM Latin America. Top row from left: Heather M. Hage
’06, Intellectual Property Manager for the Office of Technology Transfer
at the Research Foundation of the State University of New York; Stephen
B. Salai ’74, Harter Secrest & Emery; Gail M. Norris ’83, Director for
the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Rochester; Stephen
V. Treglia ’79, Chief of the Technology Crime Unit of the Nassau County
(N.Y.) District Attorney’s Office (NCDA).

Answers from the last issue

Top photo: Back: Gregg Gates ’78, Steve Bing ’78, Jane Beltzer
’78, Mary Ann Gadziala ’78, Ilene Bergman ’80. Front: Fred
Burr ’78, Paul DerOhannesian’78 , Rick Meyer’78 , Al Berman
’78, John Campanie ’78
Hardball on the Hard Court Bottom photo: Thomas Finnerty ’92, Julie Martin ’92, John
Loturco ’92 and Andrea Carapella ’92
Intramural league sports continue to fill the gym with the sound of
sneakers squeaking on the hardwood floor. Albany Law basketball
Fall ’07 Contest Winners: Donna Bogursky-LoTurco ’92,
teams such as The DA's and The Big Ticket tip off on Wednesdays
Huntington, N.Y.; Patrick Cartwright ’92, Albany, N.Y.; Paul
and Sundays. Student teams also use the gym to play floor hockey,
Hermann ’79, Saranac Lake, N.Y.; Deirdre Keating ’92, Albany,
soccer, dodgeball and rugby.
N.Y.; Rachel Samuels ’92, Latham, N.Y.; Jane Scott ’79,
Latham, N.Y.; Todd Weber ’78, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
11
INBRIEF

What’s Frank Wallace Doing

these Days?
On Wednesday nights Frank
By Dave Singer Wallace sits behind a drumset
driving a 15-piece swing band
through Woody Herman and
Glenn Miller dance tunes. “People
from all over South Texas come Frank and Joyce Wallace at their home in South Texas.
to see us play,” Wallace said from
his motor coach near McAllen, background of the conversation. time we communicate I learn
about a mile from Mexico’s Rio Born and bred in Schenectady, something.”
“There are always Grande border. he practiced law for 21 years Halpern recalled Wallace
The 86-year-old retired after graduating from Albany storming out of the classroom
problems in professor who tried some 200 Law in ’49. He spent most of on her first day with him after
these senior cases before joining the Albany his practicing career in Colorado, the first three students he called
Law faculty in 1970, spends half where he and others bought, on “passed.” Last year she told
communities, of the year with his wife Joyce among other things, a minor the 6-foot 4-inch Duke that he
and my wife and ’73 in their motor coach as part
of a senior community. The
league hockey team associated
with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
never scared her. “He told me he
knew this and said, ‘I know who
I are two lawyers summer months they live in their The franchise won the champion- scares and who doesn’t.’”
in the park, so other home in Altamont, N.Y.
“There are always problems
ships for the Western League—
“through no help from me,”
“He was a big man in every
way,” said Professor Daniel
these problems in these senior communities, and Wallace quipped—before he Moriarty, who worked with
my wife and I are two lawyers sold his share. Wallace for many years. “His
seem to fall on in the park, so these problems “When I was leaving Denver views were always firmly pre-
our shoulders.” seem to fall on our shoulders,” for Albany, a reporter from the sented. In arguments he was
said Wallace, with amusement. Denver Post called me to write a vigorous, and in friendships he
“A kind woman we know was little article,” Wallace said. “She was grand.” Moriarty added one
being sued and needed legal help. asked why I was leaving practice more time, “He was a big man.”
I came out of retirement to for academia, and I told her “Anyone who had him will
defend her. The warrior got back for a little ‘psychic income.’ always remember him pounding
in the courtroom, and won.” Well, the headline of the story the desk, declaring ‘Never never
Wallace said he feels good. said, ‘Lawyer Leaves for Psychic never comingle your funds’ and
He can speak in detail about his Reasons.’” ‘attach the wheels,’ said Professor
professor days at the law school. Susan Halpern ’83, an Albany Deborah Mann, once a student
“I retired in ’86, but then Law School trustee, has stayed of Wallace. “It’s indelibly marked
they asked me to come back as close to Wallace over the years in our brains.”
emeritus, so I taught a full load since her days as his student. For now, Wallace spends a
during the fall semesters for the “After practicing for more than lot of time on his computer and
next four years,” he recalled. two decades, he still serves as a operating his Ham radio.
“Some retirement.” guide and mentor for me,” she “There are a lot of Hams here,”
When asked, he rattled off said of Wallace, whom she and he said of his senior community,
his course names: civil procedure, many call “The Duke” due to “and we love to get together.”
property, negotiation, and his resemblance to John Wayne. That is, when he’s not thumping
conflict of law. “Don’t forget “We trade a lot of emails and his drums to the jazz.
trial tactics,” said his wife in the share a lot of thoughts. Every

12
 STUDENTLIFE

FA M I LY LAW:

Mother and Son

Become Classmates

Courtesy of Philip Kamrass / Albany Times Union

By Nicole Soucy

Pam and Phil Perry often have lunch together on campus.

Pam Perry ’08 knew she was learned many of my legal skills exclaimed Phil. “She set out to estate planning, and real estate.
saving her textbooks for a reason. through my job experience, accomplish something she always But after spending several years
She was convinced that one day and now I wanted to apply wanted to do.” carefully balancing school, work
her older son, Phil ’10, would them as a lawyer.” After receiving his Bachelor’s and raising a family, I’m ready
go to law school. She was right. After her divorce, Pam enrolled at Boston College, Phil took a to take a vacation.”
Not only did Phil decide to in Empire State College to year off from school. Inspired Phil, however, has bigger
attend law school, he enrolled earn her undergraduate degree. by his mom, Phil decided to plans for the two. “You never
into the same school as his She not only kept her paralegal follow in her footsteps and go to know, in a few years we might
mother—making Albany Law job while attending school, Albany Law School. He began start our own law practice.”
School history. she raised Phil and her other son classes last fall.
Pam, 41, a third-year law 3 year-old Matthew. During the past year, the two
student, and Phil, 23, a first-year “It was a real struggle to have studied together, shared
student, are Albany Law School’s balance school, a full-time job textbooks, and regularly ate
first mother and son to attend and a family,” said Pam. “But I lunch together—a lunch often
the school at the same time, never lost sight of my goal to go made by mom. They don’t
although over 1,600 students to law school.” commute together: Pam lives in
have been related in some way, In the spring of 2005, she Stillwater, N.Y., and Phil lives
from in-laws to spouses.
Pam, a single mother, says
applied to Albany Law. On a
Friday in mid-August, she received
with his wife in Glens Falls.
As Phil prepares for his second
Inspired by his
she always wanted to go to law word that she was accepted. year at Albany Law, Pam is busy mom, Phil decided
school. She had been working Orientation was on Monday. gearing up for graduation and
in law offices as a paralegal since “I quit my job after the more importantly, the bar exam.
to follow in her
she was 18, after she married acceptance call and enrolled,” As for Pam’s future plans, footsteps and
and had Phil. said Pam. she’s not entirely sure what she’s
“I wanted to make my dream “When she told me she was going to do beyond graduation.
go to Albany Law
a reality,” explained Pam. “I had accepted, I was so proud of her,” “I’m interested in family law, School.
13
 STUDENTLIFE

Law School in Paris and Albany:

offers 181 different under- was only just beginning. I
graduate, masters and doctorate discovered the administration at
degrees and is particularly UPX kept inconvenient and
renowned in France for its irregular hours. In addition, the
mathematics and law programs. class structure itself was a shock.
During the 2007 spring At Albany Law, most lecture
semester, I attended UPX classes are structured around
through Albany’s exchange some version of the Socratic
program and at the end of the method. At UPX, the lecture
semester I was awarded a classes are 100% lecture, with
“Diplôme d’Etudes Juridiques very infrequent student partici-
Européennes & Internationales” pation often in the form of a
with honors. My coursework brief question and answer ses-
included classes on the political sion. Students are expected to
history and structure of the take copious, often verbatim,
European Union, European and notes during class and then
French law, international human digest them later. In general,
rights, international commerce there are no syllabi; classes often
and legal translation. All 15 credit have loose “plans” or outlines
hours transferred back to Albany that some professors choose to
Law. distribute.
Kepner in Paris. If there is one thing that every Despite similar course topics Furthermore, there are no
law student would agree on, it and class sizes, the differences mandatory books (on the bright
is that law school costs too much. between the U.S. and French legal side, no $700 bookstore bills)
After arriving in Paris, France, education systems are immense. nor are there mandatory reading
to complete a one-semester And while the course material assignments. The suggested
study-abroad program, I was itself was stimulating, the courses reading list, if distributed at all
shocked to discover that students themselves often left much to by the professor, looks more like
in France, pay only minimal be desired. a law review article’s bibliogra-
administrative fees totaling less The French system deserves phy than anything a graduate
than $730 a year—including praise for providing higher student could tackle in a year,
the mandatory state run sécurité education, including law school, let alone a semester. The com-
“The French system sociale health care plan, to attend to almost all French students for bined effect results in many stu-
law school. However, I quickly practically nothing, but the lack dents doing little more than
deserves praise for realized that sometimes you of funding results in massive holes showing up for class and strug-
providing higher really do pay for what you get. in the university infrastructure. gling to transcribe every word
education, including The University of Paris As an exchange student, that comes out of the professor’s
X–Nanterre (UPX) was estab- dealing with the administration mouth. In the absence of some
law school, to almost lished in 1964 on the outskirts was both a necessity and a night- form of office hours, students
all French students for of Paris as an extension of the mare. Prior to my departure, I are typically not given access to
Sorbonne. Based on the American assumed that the difficulties in professors’ e-mail addresses and
practically nothing, model, it was created as a obtaining answers to my questions are instead left to sit outside
but the lack of fund- campus (as opposed to the old about housing, health insurance their offices, often for hours at a
ing results in massive French universities which were and class schedules were due to time, hoping that the professor
smaller and integrated into the my rusty French and the incom- might show up and have a
holes in the university city) and welcomes approximately patible time zones. But after moment to talk to them.
infrastructure.” 35,000 students a year. UPX arriving, I realized my struggle

14
LE BON ET LE MAUVAIS ADRIENNE KEPNER ’08

“I realized that the administrative support at

Albany Law profoundly facilitates the academic
studies, and the practically unlimited access to
professors and course materials is something easily
taken for granted.”

greeted by aged graffiti scrawled French and European systems

on the walls. Typically, the from French and European
public restrooms lacked tissue, professors, some of whom have
soap and paper towels. At the played important roles in the
same time, UPX is home to an formation of the European
Olympic size swimming pool, Community, was an exciting
a state of the art fitness facility experience.
and track stadium and while I If given the opportunity to
Kepner, after her semester in France, back at Albany Law’s library. was a student, there was a new repeat my semester abroad, I
residence hall under construc- would not hesitate. In my mind,
A Different Admissions System were reluctant to help, more tion and extensive landscaping the practical functioning of the
French universities are required often I got the impression that work taking place throughout French legal system is similar to
by law to admit anyone with a they were left completely unable the campus. that of the U.S. system, but
Baccalauréat. Because law school to help due to the red tape After studying in France, because the driving force of the
is open to all students without inherent in an academic system I have a new appreciation for French system is the Code Civil,
an additional merit-based funded and managed by the the U.S. system. I realized that the theory and methodology
application process, professors national government. the administrative support at were completely new to me. In a
use exams to weed-out between Albany Law profoundly facili- world where foreign legal systems
Somewhat Flawed Facilities
15% and 70% of a given class. tates the academic studies, are increasingly juxtaposed and
It is not unusual for a professor Finally, the physical condition of and the practically unlimited intertwined, perspective is
to fail an entire class. While the the academic facilities at UPX access to professors and course invaluable and the semester I
system does have a built in provides a stark contrast to those materials is something easily spent at UPX has allowed me a
“rattrapage,” or opportunity to at Albany Law School. There taken for granted. glimpse of another legal approach.
retake exams prior to the begin- are only a handful of printers Despite all of the headaches In no way am I advocating in
ning of the next academic year, which students have access to at and the fundamental differences favor of the U.S. system where
the process leaves professors UPX and on all but one of those in the education system in the sheer cost is completely out
completely unaccountable for printers can students print any- France, I found my time in of control and prohibitive to
their teaching. There is no form thing from an e-mail account. Paris invaluable. As the months large quantities of academically
of teacher evaluation by the While the majority of the aca- passed I began to feel as though qualified students, nor am I
students and after discussing the demic buildings were equipped I actually belonged in Paris. As advocating against the French
grading system at length with with wireless Internet access, the my French improved I found I system, where access to higher
both French professors and university residences were not. could keep up with both lectures education approaches universality.
students, I think it is unlikely The libraries on campus were and the casual conversations But there is a tangible advantage
that a professor would assume closed on Sunday and the dedi- of my classmates. My local to the maintenance of a link
any responsibility for the failure cated law library was little more boulanger began to greet me by between a student’s tuition
of an entire class. than a large room with 10 or 12 name and on a handful of dollars and a school’s success.
The majority of the time, it tables and a dozen bookshelves. occasions I gave directions to a The challenge now is to find the
was not that the administrators, It was not unusual to walk into lost Parisian. Academically, the middle ground.
professors or university staff a classroom at UPX and be opportunity to learn both the

15
STUDENTLIFE

Under the Same Roofs at School and Home,

LIVING TOGETHER IS
Joe Rossi ’10 had enough onto one another through various magnets covering the refrigerator.
problems. He was about to start word-of-mouth channels. Something in the photo magnets
three years of law school, and “Both of us have never lived on prompts him to mention that
for that he had taken on an our own, so it’s a little different,” his father, John Vaneria, a lawyer
uncomfortable amount of debt. said Vaneria, a graduate of Centre in New York City, graduated
So when his roommate decided College, Kentucky, who’s eager Albany Law in 1973.
against law school the day before to start his summer clerkship in Drop one floor down to
orientation, Rossi was on the the general counsel’s office of the Jeremy Cooney ’10 and Dan
hook for the entire rent. Department of the Navy. Schlesinger’s ’10 apartment.
Sebastian Vaneria ’09 spent “We had no furniture,” said They have furniture. Nice tables,
his first year of law school Rossi, sweeping his hands to show new chairs, a well-kept couch,
commuting from the Berkshires. the sparse living room, “so we’ve cooking spices and a filled
Two weeks into this same been buying pieces as we go.” bookshelf lined with framed
commute the following year, Rossi, a Siena grad whose fond- photos that outline some of
Vaneria had enough. “But I ness for the region will keep him their own stories.
wanted the right place and the around after law school, points “I worked for a few years
right situation.” to a chair and says they bought before law school,” said Cooney,
Today the two roommates it from “craigslist.” Vaneria the class president who worked
thank their stars for stumbling points to the homey touch of for U.S. Congresswoman Louise

“We have little time to hang around as a group,” says Cooney, center, of his roommate Schlesinger, right, and two
other students who rent upstairs. His girlfriend and law student Ugelow, left, will visit occasionally, particularly if
Cooney’s making dinner.
16
C O PAC E T I C

Vaneria, left, and Rossi enjoy a few moments before getting back to the books.

Slaughter and then his alma mater us were running out, some were convenient,” she says, “but I’m
Hobart College after graduating. coming in. So we spent a few looking forward to living in an
Schlesinger, a Pittsford, N.Y., minutes together commiserating apartment or house off campus.”
native, and Cooney met through about life in law school.” So what are the problems?
a winding thread that included a Early in the year they had a “His music,” Cooney quickly
best friend, a colleague’s mother’s party together for their law school points out, laughing, adding that
acquaintance, and one other class, where they all chipped in Schlesinger, a philosophy and
twice-removed relation. From to buy a used grill. But that music major at Oberlin College
there they met and spent a day might be the extent of their and an accomplished clarinetist,
in Albany together looking at fraternizing, which, some likes to practice in his free time.
nearly 10 places before landing agreed, can often make the best Rossi laments that Schlesinger
on their current apartment. kind of roommate. has free time. “I come home for
Despite the sharing of their Cooney’s girl friend Lisa dinner, maybe take a nap, and
homes, including the rent, heat Ugelow ’10 occasionally visits. then go to the library until it
and other related bills, the four She lives on the “College Suites” closes. Then I look for a classroom
of them rarely hang around as a located next to the Law School to study for a few more hours.”
group. “Everyone has different campus, where she and three Vaneria nods to affirm Rossi’s
habits,” said Cooney. “The other other women share a suite of four schedule, and adds, “Joe’s the
night we all ended up in this rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen roommate everyone would want.”
kitchen at about 11:45. Some of and a common living area. “It’s –DS

17
ALUMNIATWORK

State Bar President Reflects on the Field,

and Her Career, In Lecture to Students
I relate much of my
Kathryn Grant
success in a male domi-
Madigan ’78 is the nated profession to my
athletic background.
President of the My ability to “talk the talk” and
“walk the walk” has gained me
New York State Bar entrée to many arenas denied
other women of my generation
in my profession.
Association. The
My Phi Beta Kappa key let
me into the Boardrooms but it
remarks below are was my background as a college
basketball player and, even
excerpts from her more so, my 10 years as a rugby
player, that gave me instant
talk she gave to credibility and respect.
I would hear those whispers,
Albany Law School “She’s a rugby player.” Maybe it
scared them a bit, that “elegant
students as the 2008 violence.”
My team at CU Boulder was
Alumna in Residence. one of the first in the country, the
Albany Law MsDemeanors—a
name anointed after I graduated—
She is a partner
was also one of the first law school
women’s teams. The Binghamton
at the Binghamton, WRFC I started in 1978 is now
the Binghamton University team.
N.Y., firm Levene Even now I find myself driving
down the Vestal Parkway past
Gouldin & Thompson. the University and see the

Day in the Life of

9:30 a.m.

Justice Sandra Day

9:45 a.m.

Quick tour of the

10:00 a.m.

Videotaping of the
11:00 a.m.

Read just released U.S.

the State Bar President O’Connor arrives with Courthouse, pose for NYSBA Gold Medal Supreme Court Lopez
the U.S. Marshall; we photo in front of the Award presentation in Torres decision; review,
drive to the Sandra Day Sandra Day O’Connor the ceremonial Court edit and approve NYSBA
O’Connor Courthouse statue. Room, with inspiring Press Release; couple
in downtown Phoenix. remarks by Justice of phone interviews.
O’Connor (SDO).

18
 Madigan getting sworn in as
NYSBA president by Hon.
Thomas McAvoy ’64 last June in
Cooperstown, N.Y.

women’s team practicing or in a huge advocate of balancing work as well as effective training or flex time, work at home option,
game and I want to jump out of and life. The structure of large coaching in client development. part time/non-equity partner track,
my Jeep and join the scrum. law firms make that balance It takes different kinds of a Women’s Marketing Group,
But I am 54, so I think not. very hard. lawyers to create a healthy law wellness programs etc. It is a
I have many fond memories An inhospitable climate in firm culture—“minders, binders, superb model of what is possible.
of Albany Law’s gym, which large law firms continues, grinders and finders.” Each
served as an essential part of our especially for women lawyers of contribute to the whole. My Advice to
stress management program. color, which the ABA documents firm is unusual in that we have Young Female Lawyers
Surely we’re the only law school in a report called the “Visible a bonus pool for significant Be courageous in making choices
in the country with a gym in Invisibility.” community and bar association about your career and personal
the middle of it. I played on the We give lip service to running service. It’s not huge, but it life. Don’t be reluctant to
women’s intercollegiate team my law firms like a real business. sends a powerful message about change direction as your needs
first year, but didn’t find it very But what business would tolerate what we value as a firm. All and interests, as well as that of
competitive, so I switched to men’s the rate of associate turnover in of us, from the top down, are your family, evolve over time.
intramurals, joining the team most big city firms? And what community leaders. Twelve of Make work/life balance a priority.
“Five Easy Pieces.” Professors business model would ignore the us are former county bar It’s not about the money. It’s
Watkins (“the Watt”) and Welsh needs of 50% of their professional presidents, five of us former not about the money. Toot your
were frequent spectators. workforce, ie. women? NYSBA Section chairs, and the own horn, as no one else will
For women of my generation, “If lawyers brought the same firm is now supporting me at do it for you. Get out there and
there were four predictors of imagination and creativity to my full-time volunteer job as network. Don’t be shy about
professional success for women: this problem that they bring to NYSBA president. self-marketing. And don’t be
1) Strong relationship with your the problems of their clients, All this doesn’t happen by swayed by those who suggest (as
father or a male mentor; 2) Girl this problem could be solved,” accident. It’s about communicat- others did to me) that you can’t
Scouts; 3) Same sex high school suggested the former Pace Law ing and modeling that core firm be a part-time lawyer. Trust your
or college; and 4) Athletics. Dean Stephen Friedman. value. We believe it makes us gut. Seek mentors in all areas
I was fortunate to have all four. A law firm culture that honors better lawyers and better human of your life. Become a mentor
professionalism and quality of beings. We have the largest when the opportunity arises.
Troubling trends today life, as well as profits, requires a percentage of women partners Finally, take care of yourself.
Growth in minimum billable top-down commitment. Firms and associates in our region, and And then, as is our time-honored
hours continues to increase, also need to commit to formal, have had progressive work/life tradition as lawyers, take care
especially in large New York City accountable mentoring programs policies, some of which go back of those who cannot take care
law firms. I have always been a for associates and women partners, over 25 years, such as part time, of themselves.
Noon

Brown bag lunch with SDO and federal

1:00 p.m.

Tour of Phoenix Art

3:00 p.m.

Travel to Paradise Valley

6:00 p.m.

Drinks around the firepit

9:30 p.m.

Return to hotel.
judges; discussion re: Lopez Torres; Museum with SDO. to home of SDO for tea at the Paradise Valley
SDO’s time with the Queen of England and conversation about Country Club and then
during the Jamestown Anniversary our respective athletic dinner.
program; book signing by SDO for my exploits.
bar leader friends and NYSBA key staff.

19
 Playing Albany’s Local Sport
By Paul Grondahl
on a National Field

It has been said that Albany possesses just one major league sport: politics.
But five Albany Law School alumni who work in the United States Congress would
beg to differ with that homegrown view of politics in the state capital. Their career
paths have carried them to Washington, D.C., and, they would argue, they’re playing
in the true major league of politics in America.
They took the road less traveled and it led them from legislative internships in the
state capital while students at Albany Law and eventually—after a few detours to
pursue other opportunities, typically—to interesting and challenging legal careers in
the nation’s capital. For them, the journey from Albany to Washington has allowed
them to observe presidential politics up close, to fend off partisan Congressional
maneuvering, to participate in high-stakes geopolitical negotiations, to travel to
foreign lands and, above all, to lay claim to a front-row seat of history in the making.
Here are their stories.
20
“Qaddafi was ing and marketing materials.
“The FTC was interesting
eccentric and work and I improved my research
and legal skills, but I always
passionate when wanted to make a contribution
it came to his in terms of public policy,”
Mereu said. In 2003, he was
discussion of the promoted to staff director of
history of relations the Subcommittee on Europe of
wanted his country to move expertise he never expected to use. the Foreign Affairs Committee.
between the forward economically and not “I was involved in implementing “I’ve been in the majority and
U.S. and Libya.” remain shunned and isolated from the 9/11 Commission’s recom- the minority and you have to
the international community,” mendations and adding provisions be creative and build alliances
Richard Mereu ’90 had some- Mereu recalled. to the Medicare Modernization across party lines if you want to
thing of an out-of-body experience That meeting was a precursor Act of 2003. Both required a be effective on Capitol Hill,”
as he sat in a tent in Tripoli across to Qaddafi renouncing his huge amount of research, coali- he added.
from Libyan leader Colonel nuclear, biological and chemical tion building and effort to get Mereu has been involved in
Muammar Qaddafi during a weapons and dismantling his legislation passed in the House critical foreign relations and
landmark meeting with a U.S. stockpile of weapons of mass and Senate,” he said. “It’s exciting domestic policy negotiations
Congressional delegation. “It was destruction. “It was a thrilling and satisfying to see the fruits of over the years, but one of his
intense and incredible. I’ll never historical moment and one of your labor when it becomes law.” most memorable moments was
forget it,” Mereu recalled of the the greatest achievements I’ve Mereu, who lives in Arlington, sitting in the House Chamber
2004 trip to Tivoli. “Qaddafi been involved in during my time Va., with his wife and two chil- of the U.S. Capitol for President
was eccentric and passionate working on Capitol Hill,” said dren, credits an internship in the George W. Bush’s State of the
when it came to his discussion Mereu, who has spent 12 years on state Legislature he completed Union address in 2002. “This
of the history of relations Gallegly’s staff and has handled while at Albany Law on putting was a few months after 9/11 and
between the U.S. and Libya.” legal matters related to the him on the path to Washington. he talked about the Axis of Evil
Mereu is chief counsel to U.S. Congressman’s work on health “It was an opportunity I wouldn’t and I remember thinking as I
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) care, immigration and foreign have gotten at any other law was listening that this was a
and a staff director on a sub- policy. In the past four years, school,” said Mereu, who worked historic speech that would have
committee of the House Foreign Mereu’s work on the Foreign for Assemblyman Joe Pillitere, a important foreign policy impli-
Affairs Committee. Mereu was Affairs Committee has taken Democrat from Niagara Falls. cations,” he said.
aboard the first U.S. military him to more than two-dozen Mereu aimed to work in the Mereu has been summoned
plane to land in the Libyan countries in the past three years. nation’s capital and Albany Law to the West Wing of the White
capital since the United States He’s currently engaged with helped him land a summer job House for briefings and said
and Libya broke off diplomatic European countries working to after his second year at the it’s nothing like the TV show
relations in 1980. Congress sent defuse growing tensions in the Federal Trade Commission in that starred Martin Sheen. “It’s
the delegation to Tripoli after Balkans and to resolve political D.C. That led to a full-time actually very sedate and there
the 9/11 attacks. differences in Northern Ireland. position after law school with are very few offices in the West
Mereu sat rapt in the tent as Mereu has the highest possible the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Wing,” he said. “Working in
Qaddafi spoke. “He was willing security clearance and is privy Protection. His work involved Congress has been an incredibly
to consider diplomatic relations to top-secret counterterrorism forcing companies of high-profile enriching, satisfying career
with the United States because initiatives as part of his job, products making unsubstantiated and I’m doing things I never
Libya was very poor and he which requires facets of legal claims to modify their advertis- imagined I’d do.”

21
 “The difference between how we write
bills today and 30 years ago is that we
aim for precision and readability so that
an average person can understand it.”

it gave me a significant amount name also gets printed in the

of responsibility, which prepared Congressional Record,” she said.
Amy Gaynor ’99 drafts bills, me to move into the working Gaynor telecommutes by
resolutions and amendments world,” she said. frequent phone calls to Senate
as an assistant counsel with the Gaynor knew she wanted to staffers and a steady stream of
Senate’s Office of the Legal return to Washington, D.C., e-mail to edit and refine bills
Counsel. Only, she works from where she lived while attending through multiple drafts. She also
the comfort of her home in Catholic University. She majored travels to Capitol Hill several
Delmar, N.Y. Gaynor, who in history and philosophy and times each year and has met
has a 2-year-old daughter, has worked part-time at the National some of the senators she writes
telecommuted to her job in Archives. “I liked the vibe of for, including Massachusetts
Washington, D.C., for the past Washington and was interested Sen. Ted Kennedy, who files the
four years after joining the in national politics, but I never most requests as chairman of the
non-partisan Senate support thought I’d work someday in committee on health, education,
office in 2001. “Telecommuting Congress,” she said. labor and pensions.
is sort of a new trend in the She first made a stop in “We try to make sure we
Senate. After 9/11, it became New York City for a job with address constitutional issues in
important that the institution the U.S. Department of Justice, our bills, but we also try to
have the capability to work where she worked as a trial make them readable and to
remotely outside D.C.,” she said. attorney on immigration cases avoid legalese,” she said. “The
“Telecommuting has worked out and deportation proceedings. difference between how we write
well for my daughter, Norah, After 18 months, she seized bills today and 30 years ago is
and our family. I do like it, but I the opportunity with the that we aim for precision and
miss being in Washington, D.C.” U.S. Senate, where she is one of readability so that an average
Gaynor is married to 30 attorneys who work at the person can understand it.”
Benjamin Farber ’99. The request of individual senators Gaynor enjoys the satisfac-
classmates became law school and committees. She assists tion of using her law degree on
sweethearts who married while lawmakers in crafting their policy behalf of public service at the
both worked in Washington, initiatives into legal language federal level. “I look back at the
D.C. In 2004, the couple that can stand up to constitu- cumulative effect of my work
returned to Albany, where she tional and political scrutiny. and I know there are many
grew up and where her family Gaynor’s areas of expertise critical education and health
still lives, after he became an are education and health. One bills that became law that I
associate attorney at Phillips of her most challenging assign- helped write,” she said. “We
Lytle in Albany, focusing on ments was working on the No don’t create the policy, but the
corporate and securities law. Child Left Behind Act, which senators couldn’t make laws
Gaynor credited Professor ran to more than 600 pages. On without us.”
Peter Preiser’s Constitutional the other end of the spectrum,
Law class with helping set her some of her work involves a
sights on a job in the nation’s one-sentence amendment to an
capital, along with her position existing law. “We work hard and
as legal developments editor of it’s nice to be recognized on the
the Law Review. “Law Review Senate floor by the senator
was a great experience because who sponsored the bill and our

22
 financial matters that we have landed a job clerking in the money year after year. Yet with all
to research thoroughly and then District of Columbia Court of these pressures, they’re motivated
be able to convey quickly and in Appeals that turned into a full- to do the right thing.”
a way the member of Congress time job as a staff attorney for For now, Sassaman prefers
can understand without a lot the court. “Several Albany Law the path of working in a non-
of legal jargon,” Sassaman said. alumni were very encouraging partisan office that dispenses
“It requires strong analytical and and helped me network once advice in equal measure to
communication skills.” I got to D.C.,” Sassaman said. Democrats and Republicans.
Soon after he began work on “There’s a real excitement to “I like the role of advisor and
Capitol Hill, Sassaman assisted working in Washington and being all things to all people,”
in one of the highest profile being around high-profile he said. “I never expected to stay
John Sassaman ’92 didn’t set cases in recent history to face political figures.” in this job as long as I have, but
out to become the in-house the House Ethics Committee— Sassaman later worked for every week we get another ethics
ethicist for the Senate, but which has the authority to the U.S. Court of Appeals’ issue we’ve never had to address
that’s his new position after investigate members—the federal circuit and as special before. It keeps things lively.”
spending the past seven years in expulsion of Congressman Jim counsel for the D.C. Attorney
a similar post in the House of Traficant, a flamboyant and General’s Office before joining
Representatives. He began his maverick Ohio lawmaker. the House Ethics Committee in “I give oral advice
job as senior counsel of the Traficant lost his House seat 2001. He got in on the ground
Senate Select Committee on after being convicted in a floor, literally, with a street-level in person and if
Ethics in February. He won’t be
wearing a black-and-white
2002 federal corruption and
racketeering trial on charges of
office in the West Terrace of the
Capitol that overlooks the Mall.
they choose not
striped shirt and carrying a taking bribes, filing false tax But the stately setting belies the to follow it, they
whistle, although the position returns, racketeering, and forcing hurly-burly of a job in which a
requires him to function as a his aides to perform chores member of Congress typically
run the risk of
referee of sorts when thorny at his farm in Ohio and on his calls Sassaman into the office ethical and political
ethics issues arise, typically houseboat in Washington. for a brief, intense face-to-face
involving gifts and travel provided “It was a real interesting experi- discussion on what does or does
problems down
to senators and whether outside ence. Members aren’t expelled not constitute ethical conduct. the road….”
business transactions are appro- very often,” Sassaman said. Occasionally, things can get
priate for an elected lawmaker. Sassaman set his sights on tricky when dispensing advice.
“It’s an exciting place to work Washington, D.C., after work- “I’ve had a Congressman
and it’s the sort of interesting, ing as a paralegal for a few blow his stack when I recom-
non-traditional legal career I years at a Georgetown law firm mend a no when they expected
wanted,” said Sassaman, who before going to Albany Law. He a yes answer,” he said. “I give
lives in Bethesda, Md., with was inspired by a Constitutional oral advice in person and if they
his wife Krista Harte Sassaman, Law class taught by Dean choose not to follow it, they run
who works in fundraising and Martin Belsky and challenged the risk of ethical and political
P.R. for non-profit organizations, by his responsibilities as editor- problems down the road. These
and their 5-year-old daughter in-chief of the Science and are good people with a difficult
Mirren. Technology Journal at Albany life traveling back and forth
The job requires Sassaman Law. He had a clerkship in the from Washington to their home
to be a quick study. “Members N.Y. State Supreme Court district ever week, with a lot of
present us with complex during his second year and later pressure to raise campaign

23
“My first day and Senator Daniel Patrick
Moynihan, who offered him a
environmental, judiciary, tax
and Indian affairs legislation.
in Washington paid position. As Moynihan’s “It was fortunate that I took a
regional staff assistant, he federal Indian law class at
was the day the frequently drove the senior Albany Law with Professor
Monica Lewinsky senator from the airport in Robert Batson. He’s an expert
Albany to his home in Pindars in that area and a great resource
scandal broke…. Corners, Delaware County. “He who still helps me out with
It was a tough was a deep vault of knowledge his expertise if I get stuck on
about politics and history and an Indian land claim issue,”
time to be a I learned a lot talking with him Wilcox said.
Congressional on those drives,” Wilcox said. Wilcox has to develop
Wilcox also undertook a expertise quickly in numerous
intern.” legislative internship in the areas as Congressman Arcuri’s
N.Y. State Senate and worked legislative Counsel. Work
on campaigns in California and weeks of 80–100 hours are not
Michigan—all before he started unheard-of when important,
law school. At Albany Law, he complex legislation affecting
was a senior editor of the Law Arcuri’s district is up for a vote
Review and completed summer in the House. “We might have
internships with the Saratoga the economic stimulus package
County D.A.’s office in Albany coming to the floor at the same
and Saratoga counties and with time that we’re reviewing several
the U.S. Attorney’s Office of proposals for large water and
the Northern District. He also highway projects and representa-
worked part-time during his tives from two Indian tribes are
Christopher Wilcox ’06 set second year with the N.Y. State visiting to discuss land claims,”
his sights on working in Attorney General’s Criminal Wilcox said. “It can seem like a
Washington, D.C., long before Prosecution Division in Albany. monumental task and frustrating
he entered Albany Law. In his A year ago, Wilcox landed at times, but it’s exciting work
sophomore year at St. Lawrence a job in the Washington office when it all comes together and
University, he spent his spring of freshman U.S. Rep. Michael we get a good law passed.”
semester in a Capitol Hill Arcuri, who represents New
internship under the auspices York’s 24th District. Now, as
of American University. “My legislative Counsel to Rep. Arcuri,
first day in Washington was he oversees the Congressman’s
the day the Monica Lewinsky responsibilities on the
scandal broke,” he recalled. Transportation Infrastructure
“It was a tough time to be a Committee, which considers
Congressional intern.” national transportation and
Still, the experience didn’t economic development policy
deter him and Wilcox completed and requests for local highway,
additional internships with flood control and water project
U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert funding. Wilcox also tracks

24
Working for the senior senator from involved in major legislation,
including the implementation
Iowa, Stephen Schaefer has been of eight international trade
agreements, the extension of
involved in major legislation, including permanent normal trade rela-
the implementation of eight interna- tions to Ukraine and Vietnam,
the imposition of economic
tional trade agreements, the extension sanctions with respect to Burma,
of permanent normal trade relations to and legislation to conform
domestic laws to U.S. obligations
Ukraine and Vietnam, the imposition as a member of the World Trade
of economic sanctions with respect to Organization. He also served as
the Senator’s chief negotiator in
Burma, and [more]… the development of the SAFE
Port Act of 2006, as well as
Stephen Schaefer ’93 did not privileged to have this opportunity legislation to implement the
graduate from Albany Law with to work for a senator I greatly recommendations of the 9/11
a goal of working on Capitol admire in a job that employs my Commission in 2007.
Hill. Now, he finds himself legal training every day.” Schaefer serves as Senator
assigned to one of the most Schaefer’s background in Grassley’s chief trade lawyer and
heavily scrutinized committees economics, coupled with an provides technical advice and
in Congress. He is chief interna- internship at the U.S. Court of policy recommendations based
tional trade counsel on the International Trade in New York on his understanding of issues
Republican staff of the Senate while at Albany Law, launched from both a legal and economics
Committee on Finance, which, him in the field. That led to a perspective.
in addition to oversight of the two-year judicial clerkship at the “The senator is very accessible
nation’s customs laws and inter- CIT after graduation. Schaefer when I need him, but he’s also
national trade affairs, is charged later took a position as an very busy,” Schaefer said. “Trade
with writing tax legislation and associate attorney at White & is perhaps his favorite aspect of
overseeing Social Security, Case in Washington, handling the Finance Committee’s broad
Medicare and other entitlement customs and international trade portfolio. He’s a strong believer
programs. Schaefer joined the cases. He left for a complete in both the economic and
staff of Senator Chuck Grassley change of pace and taught various geopolitical benefits of expanded
of Iowa as international trade classes in international law at international trade. He has very
counsel in 2003 and was several universities in Bulgaria clear policy objectives, and that
promoted to chief a year ago. for the Civic Education Project makes it easy to serve him as
“I’ve always put my best into for two years. He returned to a client. He also emphasizes
each job I’ve had, and good things the States and took a job with bipartisanship, as does his
have flowed from that,” said the U.S. International Trade counterpart on the committee,
Schaefer, who was executive editor Commission. He used a year’s Senator Baucus. And that close
for production on the Law Review sabbatical in that job to earn an working relationship extends
at Albany Law and has a master’s MBA in France. to their staffs, which has made
degree in economics from Working for the senior senator this an even more rewarding
New York University. “I feel so from Iowa, Schaefer has been experience.”

25
COVERSTORY

“The college grad

from Clifton
Park no longer
comes here
automatically.
This is why we
need to be seen
as a national law
school.”
–Dean Guernsey

FACU
SCHOLAR
Moving the School from Good to Great
26
 Law schools are judged by the quality and reputation of its faculty. The faculty’s
ability to publish scholarly work drives the perception of the school at every
level: their scholarship influences peers; peer surveys determine a bevy of
national rankings; rankings influence the quality of students a school attracts.

Judges, lawyers, undergraduate publishing. This has been his edge the traditional strength of
pre-law advisors and lawmakers consistent message for several the school—New York practice—
also form their perceptions based years now. To drive home his calling it the institution’s
on information initially fed from point, the Dean likes to list a “historical base…. That remains
the visibility of a school’s faculty. few flagship achievements over strong and we will keep it
Law professors create their the past six years in the areas strong.” He called attention
own value in the legal education of student services, facilities, to seven full time professors
market by their capacity to and the fiscal order of the devoted to New York law, a
produce innovative and useful school. Now, he says, we need number probably twice that of
scholarship, and not, unfortu- to strengthen the faculty. This any other law school in New
nately, by their performance in includes supporting current York state. “To survive, to
the classroom. faculty to enable more scholar- thrive and become great, we
“Preparing students to be ship, and attracting outside star have to be that and more.” Prof. Sheldon Halpern
good lawyers needs to be our faculty to join the school.
highest priority,” insists Thomas “Things are much different Pursuing Critical Mass The Financial Cost
F. Guernsey, Albany Law’s than they were 20 years ago,” Faculty who actively engage in of an Endowed Chair
President and Dean. “That will Guernsey explains. “Not only scholarship promote the school Endowed chairs are powerful
always be our priority. To do has the pool of prospective through published materials, tools to attract top faculty.
that right in a competitive arena, New York students shrunk speaking engagements, confer-
we need to continuously improve significantly, but we’re competing ences, bar events, and the media. • An endowment of
the quality and reputation of with schools across the country These professors gain the $5 million, at a conserva-
the school. A great reputation for even the local applicant. The institution credibility outside tive 5% interest rate,
attracts great professors, which college grad from Clifton Park the academic world, reaching generates approximately
attracts great law students.” no longer comes here automati- law firms and leaders who shape $250,000 annually. This
To Guernsey, improving the cally. This is why we need to be the legal and public agenda. covers the salary and
school requires increasing the seen as a national law school.” Over the past three years, benefits for a nationally
quality and quantity of faculty Guernsey is quick to acknowl- Albany Law School has pulled renowned law professor,
off somewhat of a coup, landing funding for a summer
three high-profile professors with researcher (a student), travel

ULTY
national reputations in their and research support.
respective fields. • A $3 million endowment
Sheldon Halpern arrived first would earn $150,000 a
in the fall of 2005. The Hon. year. When a senior faculty
Harold R. Tyler Jr. Chair in member retires, that salary
Law & Technology graduated can cover any shortfall each
first in his class from Cornell Law

SHIP:
year with the endowed
School, served as general counsel professorship.
for Viacom International, and
• A $2 million endowment
most recently as the C. William
would not generate enough
A. O’Neill Professor of Law and
income to pay for a faculty
Judicial Administration at The
member of a national
Ohio State University. Last
stature, but it can be used
semester, he was a visiting fellow
to reward and retain an
By David Singer at the European University
existing faculty member.
Institute (EUI) in Florence,

27
Tenured Veteran Explains His Persistent Drive
for Scholarship
“When you write an article, it’s a form of teaching,” said Stephen
E. Gottlieb, the newly named Jay and Ruth Caplan Distinguished
Professor. “It expands your audience.”
Gottlieb, who earned tenure nearly three decades ago for his
writings, can’t help himself. “My wife has told me more than once
that when I retire, I probably will live the same way I do now.”
The same includes a steady stream of law review articles punc-
tuated by an occasional hefty book tackling a specific angle on
constitutional law or the Supreme Court. Amid all this Gottlieb
has written a body of work at the consumer level for the oped
pages, public radio and other general media outlets.
“A lot of the writing I do is for my class,” Gottlieb said. “I remem-
ber teaching civil procedure years ago, a new area of teaching for
me at the time. I was trying to teach jurisdiction but I felt there was From left, Professors Gottlieb, Lytton and Salkin, talking with a student,
an incoherence in the doctrine. What am I going to tell students?”
Rather than teach around these legal knots, Gottlieb selects a
few to untangle through scholarship. While his early work was Italy, where, while carrying commandments monument case
concerned with election law, his attention shifted to the Supreme his Albany Law course load, he and, as one of the top sports
Court some 20 years ago. delivered lectures to the legal law experts, was a chief expert
“People need to know about Constitutional law, and what the community in Europe and witness in the lawsuit over the
Supreme Court is doing. It’s important. We write because we Israel on fair use, trademarks ownership of Barry Bonds’
want to get across what we think people should understand. and other IP related issues. 73rd home run ball.
That’s not much different than teaching.” Shortly following Halpern The most recent high-profile
came Paul Finkelman, faculty addition is Anthony Farley,
School Support
President William McKinley the James Campbell Matthews
“Years ago there was conflict between support for teaching and Distinguished Professor of Law Distinguished Professor of
scholarship. Now it’s become clear that they go hand in hand. and Public Policy and Senior Jurisprudence. Farley, a member
The Dean has communicated a strong and consistent message Fellow, Government Law Center. of the Boston College Law
that faculty scholarship matters—and he’s doing a lot to support Finkelman is a prolific writer School faculty for 16 years, where
it,” said Gottlieb. who’s frequently invited to an excellence in teaching award
“Receiving an endowed position feels very good; the three new speak; this semester he delivered bears his name, specializes in
endowed chairs show that Dean Guernsey is serious about reward- an endowed lecture at Harvard constitutional law, criminal
ing scholarship activity,” said Gottlieb. University on the African slave procedure and legal theory. He
Gottlieb also mentioned the three new annual faculty awards— trade, among more than a dozen was the 11th holder of the
for scholarship, teaching and service—one which Gottlieb other speeches. As one of the Haywood Burns Chair in Civil
received two years ago, demonstrated Guernsey’s commitment to most cited legal historians in the Rights at CUNY School of Law.
supporting faculty. nation (with 600 citations),
“It’s always good to get a pat on the back, particularly from Professor Finkelman appears in Elevating Current Faculty
colleagues, who warmly congratulated me,” Gottlieb said. “It’s top media outlets weekly to Supporting current faculty—
important to tell each other that we value each other’s work.” remark on subjects like civil whether it’s to help the younger,
In the meantime, Gottlieb is hard at work on an article on the rights, steroid use in baseball, promising faculty or to reward
“Roberts Court,” and six years deep into a book which he’s tenta- and constitutional law. accomplished, veteran profes-
tively calling “The Fragility of Democracy.” Cited by the U.S. Supreme sors—needs to be part of any
Despite the uncertainty of writing before seeking a publisher, Court and numerous lower law school plan. While recruit-
Gottlieb remains undaunted. “All these years on a book is a risk,” courts, he was the chief expert ing is half the battle, the other
he acknowledged. “But it needs to be written.” –DS witness in the Alabama Ten half is often retaining your most

28
earned their recent distinctions through consistent, influential scholarship. Prof. Anthony Paul Farley

productive—subsequently your Patricia E. Salkin, Associate School Recruits Farley for New Endowed Chair
most visible —faculty. Recently, Dean and Director of the Anthony Paul Farley, a specialist in constitutional law, criminal
the Law School elevated three Government Law Center, has procedure and legal theory, has been named the James Campbell
high-achieving professors to fill been named the Raymond and Matthews Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence. Farley was a
new endowed chairs. Ella Smith Distinguished visiting professor of law at the law school last year. Previously, he
Stephen E. Gottlieb, the Ruth Professor of Law. Salkin is a was an associate professor of law at Boston College Law School,
and Jay Caplan Distinguished nationally recognized expert on where he was a faculty member for 16 years.
Professor of Law, has been land use law and zoning, writes The Boston College Black Law Students Association honored
with the school since 1979 and a popular blog called Law of the him as the first recipient of The Anthony Paul Farley Excellence
continues to successfully publish Land, and has recent publications in Teaching Award, an annual teaching award bearing his name.
scholarly works, at average of that include New York Zoning Farley’s work in legal theory and constitutional law has
one a year, plus books. Law & Practice, Land Use in a appeared in chapter form in After the Storm: Black Intellectuals
Timothy D. Lytton, the Nutshell, and Trends in Land Use Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina, Cultural Analysis,
Albert and Angela Farone Law from A to Z: Adult Uses to Cultural Studies & the Law, Crossroads, Directions & a New
Distinguished Professor of Law, Zoning. She presents frequently Critical Race Theory, Black Men on Race, Gender & Sexuality, and
joined the faculty in 2000 as a at statewide and national land Urgent Times: Policing and Rights in Inner-City Communities. His
promising star scholar and has use programs. work has also appeared in numerous academic journals, including
exceeded most expectations. the Yale Journal of Law and Humanities, the NYU Review of Law
A Yale Law School graduate, The Power of an
Endowed Chair and Social Change, the Cardozo Law Review, Law and Literature,
Lytton published this year a and the Michigan Journal of Race & Law.
Harvard University Press book The competition for top faculty Farley received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a
called Holding Bishops Accountable: has never been more intense. J.D. from Harvard Law School.
How Lawsuits Helped the Recruiting and retaining them The James Campbell Matthews Distinguished Professor of
Catholic Church Confront Clergy remains the largest trick for any Jurisprudence is named after the school’s first African-American
Sexual Abuse (see page 32). law school at every level. alumnus, who was also the first black judge in New York State.
He was the editor of the 2005 “We’ve achieved many of our Matthews attended Albany Academy, then clerked in a local
University of Michigan Press goals with the school,” said attorney’s office, entered the law school in 1868 and graduated two
book Suing the Gun Industry: Guernsey. “Now it’s time to raise years later. Along with being the first black law school graduate
A Battle at the Crossroads for the profile of our faculty.” He in New York, Matthews sued the Albany schools successfully,
Gun Control and Mass Torts. believes three exceptional scholars forcing the city to desegregate its public schools.

29
 Faculty Scholarship and Law School Rankings
Students applying to law schools typically go right to the U.S News
and World Report rankings as their first source. The magazine’s law
school ranking system has stayed fairly consistent, the reputation
of faculty counting more than any other element in a law school.
A full 40% of the rank is based on a survey of every school’s
dean and three faculty members. Last year 74% of those people at
the 184 accredited law schools voted. The survey is also sent to a
random group of lawyers and judges. Last year 29% of that group
responded.
Other criteria considered include: selectivity (average LSAT
scores and undergrad GPA of entering students and proportion of
applicants accepted), which is 25% of the score; placement success
(employment rates after graduation and the bar passage rate) for
20% of the rank; and faculty resources (average expenditure per
student for instruction, library and services, as well as student-
faculty ratio) for 15%.
A few other ranking systems exist, though they do not attract
the same attention as U.S. News:
As one of the added to the current faculty
would substantially raise the • Brian Leiter’s Law School Rankings: Lieter ranks schools
most cited legal school’s reputation to the next exclusively on the quality of faculty. Categories include: Most
level, where, he said, it should Cited Law Professors by Specialty, 2000–2007; Top 35 Law
historians in rightfully be today. Faculties Based on Scholarly Impact; Scholarly Reputation;
the nation (with “We are so close to wearing Faculty Quality in Specialty Areas. Lieter is an endowed professor
the ‘great’ monikor,” Guernsey at the University of Texas School of Law.
600 citations), once told a group of alumni in • The Princeton Review: This publication surveys law students
Professor Hartford. “We need to finish while at law school. “None of these lists purports to rank the
what we have started.” schools in terms of overall quality; but by using the lists…you
Finkelman appears To recruit star-quality faculty will be able to identify the attributes of a law school that are
in top media from other schools requires the important to you,” states the Web site.
• The Deadwood Report: The latest to join the law school
offer of an endowed professor-
outlets weekly to ship, the strongest recruitment ranking game is led by a George Mason University Law School
remark on subjects tool a school can use. To do this professor who plans to measure faculty members only, based on
their scholarship achievements, course load, and public service.
means additional funding.
like civil rights, “The beauty of an endowment
So while it can be argued that prospective law students might not
steroid use in allows a school to recruit new
faculty, or reward and retain exist-
care about faculty publishing and other measurements of scholar-
baseball, and ing faculty, without increasing
ship, the student does care about the school’s national rank. In the
end, a school’s reputation relies on its faculty scholarship.
constitutional law. tuition, while increasing the size of
our faculty,” describes Guernsey.
“It took several years to reach
this point,” Guernsey says. “Now
we’re poised to make a leap, and
the only way to do that is by
raising the money to endow chairs,
and then recruit the best faculty
we can. We owe it to the students,
we owe it to the alumni.”

30
 FACULTYWORK

Prof. Gathii Writes His Weekly

Column and Book from
the Heart of Kenya’s Conflict
unfortunate if displacement family members living in
camps become a breeding surrounding towns, including
“But we all know
ground for these young and his parents and siblings, all of people and families
largely idle people for another whom he says are doing fine at
round of chaos.” the moment.
who have been
While these topics appear While his columns strive to forced from their
to stray from the core of his provoke, Gathii generally succeeds
scholarship, they actually align without showing his own hand,
homes, their entire
well. His book, for example, is with column headlines like: lives uprooted. The
about war, commerce and inter- “Use unrest to diagnose what ails
Prof. Gathii teaching last semester.
national law. Gathii will tell you Kenya,” “Should failing compa- Kenyan economy—
When Professor James Thou
that inter-tribal unrest and even nies be rescued?” and “Demerits one of the most
first world feuds all play crucial of the EU trade agreements.”
Gathii returned to his home
roles in any economic thinking. When the topic involves the advanced on the
country of Kenya at the start of
this school year to work on his
“One of the leading barriers of first world marginalizing the content—remains
regionalism in Africa is conflict,” third world, Gathii gets a little
book for the Oxford University
he states as an example. more pointed: “Developing at risk should this
Press, he could not have antici-
pated the internal ethnic violence
With an LL.B. from University
of Nairobi and an LL.M. and
countries are afraid of ‘rigged
commerce’ not ‘free trade,’” and
fighting continue.”
that would tear through his
S.J.D. from Harvard Law another article maintains that
country sparked by a troubled
School—he was editor of the free global trade has historically
presidential election.
Harvard Human Rights Journal been rigged in favor of industrial
While his writing focuses on
and special editor of the Harvard products and against agriculture,
commercial issues in the third
International Law Journal— leaving poorer countries unable
world, specifically the African
Gathii’s homes lies on the to compete with European and
continent, his weekly column in
outskirts of Nairobi. And while U.S. agriculture.
Africa’s largest business publica-
these areas are generally safe and In early February, Gathii
tion, Business Daily Africa, has
stable, even affluent families in called for the two men vying for
shifted from topics on economic
five-bedroom home communities the presidency and Parliament
partnership agreements and
have fled for safety as the to “make bold concessions…
rescuing failing companies to
conflict deepened. split the five-year term and save
mediation strategies for reclaiming
“On the surface we can the country.”
democracy and a call for leader-
continue to live our daily, routine Anything short of this, says
ship to address the thousands of
lives,” said Gathii. “But we all Gathii, “leaves the future of
displaced families with children.
know people and families who Kenya in grave doubt.” –DS
“There are thousands of
have been forced from their
children and young people who
homes, their entire lives uprooted.
are yet to report to school and
The Kenyan economy—one
there is no hope for them in
of the most advanced on the
sight unless there is an agreed
content—remains at risk should
solution on return,” writes
this fighting continue.”
Gathii, the Governor George E.
Gathii lives with his wife and
Pataki Professor of International
two children. He has numerous
Commercial Law. “It will be
31
FACULTYWORK

Holding Bishops Accountable: How Lawsuits Enhance Policymaking

By Professor Timothy D. Lytton

My central thesis—that clergy recently, in the Enron scandal, and feminist activists.
sexual abuse litigation has policy responses to corporate Concurrent with the Gauthe
enhanced policymaking—rests misconduct were heavily influ- case, a series of high profile
on three causal claims. First, I enced by criminal prosecutions. prosecutions for ritual child
argue that litigation led the In each case, institutions other sexual abuse in daycare centers
news media to report clergy than the tort system framed swept the nation from California
sexual abuse and to frame it as issues in terms of institutional to Florida to Massachusetts.
an issue of institutional failure. failure, placed them on institu- The late 1980s saw a series of
Second, I suggest that litigation tional policy agendas, and popular televangelists taken
and the news media coverage it uncovered new information. down by sexual and financial
generated placed this issue on In the case of the clergy sexual scandals. Government and
public and institutional agendas abuse scandal, however, it appears corporate corruption have been
and put pressure on policymakers unlikely that either church or recurring popular concerns
to address it. Third, I contend government officials would have throughout American history,
that litigation generated previ- implemented policy reforms in and the post-Watergate 1980s
ously undisclosed information the absence of tort litigation. were no exception. These cultural
about clergy sexual abuse that A steadfast desire among church factors made the frame of
informed policy responses to it. officials to prevent public institutional responsibility for
Thus, the “impact” of private disclosure of the problem and to clergy sexual abuse culturally
lawsuits on policymaking con- protect offenders from prosecu- resonant and, therefore, highly
sists of framing issues in terms tion, combined with deference persuasive. Media coverage
of institutional responsibility, to the Church on the part of enhanced the frame’s persuasive-
achieving agenda access, and law enforcement and legislators, ness by giving it prominence
generating new information. facilitated decades of child sexual and repeating it frequently.
I do not mean to suggest that abuse by priests. All this, as we Second, activists pursued
litigation is always necessary to have seen, began to change with policy reforms outside the
these aspects of policymaking or the Gauthe litigation in 1984. context of litigation. Advocacy
This is not to say that clergy organizations such as SNAP and
sexual abuse litigation was by Voice of the Faithful mobilized
In the case of the clergy sexual abuse itself sufficient to bring about members to publicize and lobby
scandal, it appears unlikely that either church and government policy for their reform agendas. Church
responses. A number of factors insiders—some with close ties
church or government officials would contributed to the efficacy of to the church hierarchy, such as
have implemented policy reforms in the litigation in framing issues, former USCCB general counsel
achieving agenda access, and Mark Chopko, and others viewed
absence of tort litigation. generating information. as dissidents, such as canon
First, popular culture in the lawyer Thomas Doyle—worked
that litigation always advances mid-1980s was highly receptive actively to develop detailed
them. Under different conditions, to the litigation’s story about reforms and seek their adoption.
other institutions perform these child sexual abuse, clerical Third, church and govern-
functions. In the Watergate misconduct, and institutional ment policymakers initially
scandal, for example, policymak- responsibility. Public awareness failed to address the problem
ing was shaped by a bold press, of child sexual abuse was fueled proactively despite their knowl-
an aggressive special prosecutor, throughout the 1970s and edge of it. This institutional
and an outraged Congress. More 1980s by child-welfare advocates failure constituted the legal basis
32
 FACULTYNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

Lytton’s latest book published by

Harvard University Press

to tort litigation dating back to Publications of Drafting New York Wills for
the 1950s holding corporate publication in 2009. Prof. Bloom
entities liable for employee Professor Pam Armstrong will be the lead author of the
misconduct and product defects.) edited The Redbook: A Manual work, which will expand to
Similarly, in terms of agenda on Legal Style by Bryan Garner three volumes.
setting, litigation helped to (West Group, 2nd ed., 2006).
for lawsuits against the Church Professor Melissa Breger
mobilize elites—victims, lawyers,
and a political opportunity that Professor Rose Mary Bailly’s coauthored a two-volume treatise
and advocates—who, in turn,
allowed plaintiffs’ lawyers to article, “Guardianship—Stopping entitled New York Law of
pursued further litigation as part
drive the policymaking process. Financial Exploitation in its Domestic Violence (Thomson-
of their strategy to achieve reform.
To be sure, as the scandal Tracks,” was published in West, 2nd ed., 2007) (with
Finally, feedback effects
progressed, church leaders did Capital Commons Quarterly Judge Lee Elkins and Jane
also occurred with regard to
develop new policies, law (December 2007). She also Fosbinder). She also wrote
information generation.
enforcement officials became coauthored Financial Exploitation “A Comparative State Analysis:
Litigation uncovered new infor-
more aggressive, and legislatures of the Elderly (Civic Research Introducing the Construct of
mation through discovery and
passed reforms. But at the outset Institute, 2007) (coauthor the Jury into Family Violence
by encouraging church and
of the litigation in 1984, there E. Elizabeth Loewy, A.D.A.). Proceedings,” Chapter 37,
government investigations that
was a policy vacuum waiting to pp. 306-312, in Family Law:
produced information subse- Professor Emeritus Robert
be filled. Balancing Interests and Pursuing
quently used by plaintiffs in later Barker coauthored Civil Litigation
The causal relationships that Priorities (Lynn D. Wardle &
lawsuits to support their claims. in New York (LexisNexis 5th ed.,
I have asserted between litiga- Camille S. Williams, eds.)
By making causal claims, I 2007) (with Oscar G. Chase).
tion, on the one hand, and news (Wm. S. Hein & Co., 2007).
do not mean to suggest a straight- The textbook is currently being
coverage, policy agendas, and forward chain of causation Professor Stephen Clark’s
used at 17 law schools including
information, on the other hand, between litigation and policy editorial, “United ENDA’s
several outside of New York.
are not unidirectional. For outcomes. Rather, we should view flawed reasoning: Activists,
example, there was feedback Professor Ira Bloom’s 50 page politicians overstate viability of
litigation as one causal factor—
between litigation and news article, “Powers of Appointment inclusion and falsely defame
within a complex interplay of
coverage. Litigation generated Under the Restatement (Third) incrementalism,” was published
causal factors and feedback
and shaped news coverage which of Property,” was published by in the Washington Blade on
effects —that prompted and
in turn fueled more litigation the Ohio Northern Law Review November 22. He also launched
shaped policy responses to clergy
by emboldening more victims as part of its symposium issue a Web site and blog about the
sexual abuse.
to file lawsuits. News coverage on trusts and estates. His article, interjurisdictional recognition of
also made plaintiffs’ frames “Unifying the Rules for Wills same-sex marriages, civil unions,
more culturally resonant among and Revocable Trusts in the and domestic partnerships—
Reprinted by permission of the
judges and potential jurors in Federal Estate Tax Apportionment www.samesexconflicts.com.
publisher from Holding Bishops
subsequent cases. Moreover, news Arena: Suggestions for Reform,”
Accountable: How Lawsuits
coverage of ritual child sexual has been accepted for publica- Professor Beverly Cohen’s
Helped the Catholic Church
abuse and corporate scandals tion by the Miami Law Review. article, “Disentangling EMTALA
Confront Clergy Sexual Abuse,
prior to clergy sexual abuse Professor Bloom’s revised 160 from Medical Malpractice:
by Timothy D. Lytton,
litigation accounted for much page chapter on GST taxation Revising EMTALA’s Screening
pp. 191-192, Cambridge, Mass.:
of the persuasive power of the was published in Klipstein and Standard to Differentiate Between
Harvard University Press,
plaintiffs’ frames in the first Bloom, Drafting New York Wills. Ordinary Negligence and
Copyright © 2008 by the President
place. (Of course, the theme of He is also currently working on Discriminatory Denials of Care,”
and Fellows of Harvard College.
corporate wrongdoing was itself the preparation of the 4th edition is being edited for publication in
culturally familiar, in part, due the Tulane Law Review.

33
 FACULTYNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

Professor Patrick Connors Survey of American Law (2007). Professor Sheldon Halpern Professor Alicia Ouellette’s
authored two articles in his Prof. Finkelman also wrote the wrote the 2007/2008 cumula- article, “Growth Attenuation,
regular New York Practice column introduction to Franklyn tive supplement to his casebook, Parents’ Choices, and the Rights
in the New York Law Journal: Johnson’s book, The Development Copyright Law: Protection of of Disabled Children,” will be
“Cases Appear to Depart from of State Legislation Concerning Original Expression (Carolina published in The Houston
Court of Appeals’ ‘Andrea’,” the Free Negro (The Lawbook Academic Press, 2002). Journal of Health Law and Policy
September 17; and “The Desert Exchange, Ltd., 2007). (forthcoming 2008); “Moral
Professor Lenese C. Herbert
Island Disciplinary Rule,” Reasoning in Judicial Decisions
Professor James Thuo Gathii published the casebook entitled
January 23. He also authored on Same-Sex Marriage” will be
is currently in Kenya working on Constitutional Criminal
the lead article in the New York published in Philosophy and Sex
a book to be published by the Procedure (with A. Taslitz and
Law Journal’s special section (4th ed., forthcoming 2008);
Oxford University Press, explor- M. Paris; 3rd ed. Foundation
“Court of Appeals: Year in and “Lawrence v. Texas” will be
ing international commercial law Press, 2007). Her article,
Review,” which was published published in Milestone Documents
and its relationship to economic “Othello Error: Facial Profiling,
on September 10. He published in American History (Finkelman,
development in the Third World, Privacy, and the Suppression of
several sections of McKinney’s et al., eds., forthcoming 2008).
specifically sub-Saharan Africa. Dissent,” was published in the
Supplementary Practice Her article, “Now and Always
During his time there, Professor Ohio State Journal of Criminal
Commentaries in: 1) CPLR Our Chief: The Honorable
Gathii wrote the following Law (Symposium Edition:
Article 31, Disclosure, 2) The Judith S. Kaye,” was published
commentaries in Business Daily Racial Blindsight and Criminal
New York Lawyers’ Code of in the spring 2007 issue of the
Africa: “How Kenya can deal Justice, 2007). In February, she
Professional Responsibility, and Albany Law Review.
with displacements,” January was a guest on “Equal Time,” a
3) the Surrogate’s Court
30; “The forgotten lesson of the news/talk show on WLUR-FM, Professor David Pratt published
Procedure Act.
Akiwumi Report,” January 23; a Washington and Lee University the following articles: “Guidance
Professor Paul Finkelman “Use unrest to diagnose what ails student-operated radio station. on Sections 403(b) and 409A”
published Landmark Decisions of Kenya,” January 16; “A 3-point She discussed her contribution in the ABA Section of Taxation
the United States Supreme Court, mediation plan to help Kibaki to the forthcoming book Race News Quarterly, vol. 27, no. 1,
2nd ed. (Congressional Quarterly and Raila reclaim our democracy,” to Injustice: Lessons Learned from fall 2007; “Focus On… Invest-
Press, 2008) (With Melvin I. January 4; “Should failing the Duke University Lacrosse ment Advice Under the Pension
Urofsky); and Documents of companies be rescued?,” January Players’ Rape Case (Michael L. Protection Act of 2006” in the
American Constitutional and 3; “Demerits of the EU trade Seigel, ed.), an interdisciplinary Journal of Pension Benefits
Legal History, 3rd ed. (2 vols.) agreements,” December 19; study of the 2006 rape allegations (2007); “Focus On… Default
(Oxford University Press, 2008) “Red herrings hang over sovereign against Duke University lacrosse Investments and Section 404(c)”
(Co-edited with Melvin I. bond,” December 12; “Competi- players. in the Journal of Pension Benefits
Urofsky). He edited Congress tion analysis crucial in mergers,” (2007); “Focus On… The
Professor Mary Lynch
and the Emergence of Sectionalism: December 3; and “Developing Pension Protection Act and the
launched a blog entitled “Best
From the Missouri Compromise countries are afraid of ‘rigged PBGC” in the Journal of Pension
Practices for Legal Education”
to the Age of Jackson (Perspective commerce’ not ‘free trade,’” Benefits (2007); “Focus On...
at the American Association of
History of Congress) (Ohio November 16. These articles are Employee Benefit Reform
Law Schools annual conference
University Press, 2008) (Co-edited available at www.albanylaw.edu. Proposals” in the Journal of
in January. You can view it at:
with Donald R. Kennon). His Pension Benefits (2007);
Professor Stephen Gottlieb’s http://bestpracticeslegaled.alban
article, “”Foreign Law and “Health Care Reform: Can It
article,“What Federalism & ylawblogs.org.
American Constitutional Inter- Happen?,”40 John Marshall Law
Why? Science Versus Doctrine,”
pretation: A Long and Venerable Review (2007);
was published in Pepperdine
Tradition,” was published in
Law Review (2007).
the New York University Annual
34
 FACULTYNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

“The Past, Present and Future Salkin’s article, “Blogging on Professor Patrick Connors Professor Alicia Ouellette was
of Retiree Health Benefits,” Land Use Law: Another Legal was appointed to the Office of appointed professor of bioethics
3 Suffolk University Journal of Research Tool in the Internet” Court Administration Advisory at the Mt. Sinai School of
Health and Biomedical Law 103 was published in the March Committee on Civil Practice Medicine/Union Graduate
(2007); “The Minimum Distribu- 2008 issue of the Zoning and in January. College Program in Bioethics.
tion Rules” in the New York Planning Law Report. She was also named a co-editor
Professor Paul Finkelman
University Review of Employee of The Cambridge Dictionary of
Professor Laurie Shanks’ article, was named the ninth most
Benefits and Executive Compen- Bioethics, a multi-year project to
“Whose Story Is It, Anyway?— cited legal historian according
sation (Matthew Bender, 2007); be published by the Cambridge
Guiding Students to Client- to “Brian Leiter’s Law School
and “The New Medicare Part D University Press (with Laurence B.
Centered Interviewing through Rankings.” The study, which
Prescription Drug Benefit,” McCullough and Robert Baker).
Storytelling,” will be published measures the scholarly impact
17 Albany Law Journal of Science
in the spring 2008 issue of the of faculty work, was based on Associate Dean Patricia Salkin
& Technology 337 (2007).
Clinical Law Review. citations from 2000-2007. was elected secretary of the
Associate Dean Patricia Salkin State and Local Government
Professor Evelyn Tenenbaum Professor Sheldon Halpern was
was selected by the American Law Section of the American
and Brian Reese ’09 coauthored appointed a visiting fellow at the
Planning Association as one of Association of Law Schools.
the article “Memory-Altering European University Institute in
four leading land use law profes- She also received the Capital
Drugs: Shifting the Paradigm of Florence, Italy, where he gives
sors to draft a letter to the next District Women’s Bar Association
Informed Consent,” which was seminars and talks for the legal
president of the United States Distinguished Member Award
published in the September community and for doctoral
about establishing an appropriate in recognition of her significant
issue of the American Journal of students in the University’s
sustainable development agenda. service to the community. She
Bioethics. research program.
Her letter, titled, “The Legacy of was also acknowledged for her
the 44th President of the United Professor Lenese C. Herbert service as a mentor to young
States–2020 Vision,” appears Awards and completed a visiting professorship people and newly admitted
in the January 2008 issue of Achievements at Washington and Lee University attorneys; and her advocacy for
Planning and Environmental School of Law (2007–2008). the advancement of women in
Law. Dean Salkin also published Professor Pam Armstrong was society and in the legal profession.
named an editor of The Bencher, Professor Michael Hutter was
the seventh edition of Land Use elected a member of the Fellows
and Community Development: a bi-monthly publication of the
Cases and Materials, a casebook American Inns of Court. of the American Bar Foundation. Presentations
The Fellows are an honorary
used by professors across the Professor Ira Bloom attended Professor Ira Bloom discussed
organization of attorneys, judges,
country. Her treatise, New York the fall executive committee his revocable trust research at
and law professors whose profes-
Zoning Law & Practice, was meetings of Trusts and Estates the American Association of Law
sional, public and private careers
expanded from three to four Law Section in his capacity as Schools Section on Donative
have demonstrated outstanding
volumes. Her article, “Community secretary of the section, which is Transfers meeting in New York
dedication to the welfare of their
Benefit Agreements: Opportu- NYSBA’s second largest section. City. He was also invited to
communities and to the highest
nities and Traps for Developers, In 2008, Prof. Bloom will be speak on revocable trusts at a
principles of the legal profession.
Municipalities, and Community chair-elect and in 2009 chair of UCLA symposium on trusts
Organizations,” appeared the section. Professor Mary Lynch was and estates law to commemorate
as the lead commentary in the elected to be a member of the the late Jess Dukeminier.
Planning and Environmental American Association of Law
Professor Patrick Connors
Law (November 2007). Schools Clinical Section Executive
presented an update on develop-
Committee at the organization’s
ments in professional responsibility
annual conference in January.

35
 FACULTYNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

for the justices and law clerks Professor Finkelman also “Educational Choice: Emerging Professor Michael Hutter was
of the Appellate Division, Third presented the following: Legal and Policy Issues,” on invited to speak at the American
Department on September 28. “Affirmative Action for the October 23. His paper will Bar Association—Family Law
He also moderated an ethics Master Class: Slavery and the appear in a future issue of the Section Conference in Memphis
program for the New York State Creation of the American Brigham Young Law Review. in fall 2007. The conference
Bar Association’s (NYSBA’s) Constitution” at the University He also presented at the 92nd addressed emerging issues in
Public Utility Lawyers Program of Toledo College of Law on Association for the Study of the admissibility and discovery
on October 26. He presented January 10; “Congress and the African American Life and of electronic evidence. He also
updates on New York practice Slave Trade: A Long and Winding History’s annual convention in spoke about the issues of
and professional responsibility Road” at Yale University on Charlotte, N.C., on October 6. admissibility regarding medical
to the NYSBA Trial Lawyers December 14; “Suppressing the On October 2 he presented a proof at a conference entitled
Section at their annual summer African Slave Trade: The Limits paper on the closing of the “Medicine for Judges,” sponsored
meeting in July. On August 14 of Legislation, 1794–1865” at African slave trade at Lewis and by the New York Judicial
he conducted a telephone seminar Pennsylvania State University’s Clark University Law School in Institute in White Plains, N.Y.
on professional responsibility Civil War Era Workshop on Portland, Ore.
Professor Mary Lynch presented
and legal malpractice for the November 16; “Slavery, the
Professor Peter Halewood “The Impact of Best Practices
NYSBA and he presented the Courts, and the Underground
presented a paper, “Torture, and Carnegie on Clinical
annual program on ethics and Railroad” at the Indiana State
Terror, and the Body in Law,” at Programs: Evaluating Ourselves
legal malpractice at Albany Law Library on November 15; “Was
the annual joint meeting of the Internally & Evaluating Our
School’s CLE in Saratoga Springs Dred Scott Correctly Decided?”
Law and Society Association and Place in Legal Education,” with
on August 17. at Seattle University School of
Research Committee on Sociology Quinnipiac Law School Professor
Law on October 9 and at Arizona
Professor Paul Finkelman of Law at Humboldt University Carrie Kaas at the Upstate
State University on October 25;
was the keynote speaker at the in Berlin, Germany, on July 25. New York Regional Clinical
and “Who Was Dred Scott
“Evil, Law and the State: Issues Conference held at Syracuse
and Why Do We Care? (And Professor Sheldon Halpern
in State Power and Violence” University on December 7.
What Was He Doing at Fort presented a seminar on intellec-
conference in Salzburg, Austria,
Snelling?)” to Faegre & Benson’s tual property issues for the Professor Timothy Lytton
in March. In February he was
Diversity Committee at the law Intellectual Property Institute presented a chapter from his
featured on the PBS television
firm’s offices in Denver and and Queen Mary College in upcoming book, Holding Bishops
series, “African American Lives 2.”
Minneapolis on September 5–6. London on January 4. Halpern Accountable: How Lawsuits
On January 29 he delivered the
Professor Finkelman also pre- spoke at John Marshall Law Helped the Catholic Church
Annual Richardson Lecture at
sented “Was Dred Scott Correctly School’s conference entitled Confront Clergy Sexual Abuse
Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. The
Decided?” at William Mitchell “Information Convergence: At (Harvard U. Press, 2008), at the
topic was “The Closing of the
College of Law on September 6 the Boundaries of Access” on University of Oregon School of
African Slave Trade, 1808–2008.”
and also during Rhodes November 9. He was invited to Law on February 4. The chapter
He spoke about affirmative
College’s Constitution Day speak on copyright matters at a was entitled “Framing Clergy
action during Minister’s Week
Celebration on September 27. seminar for Israeli judges to be Sexual Abuse as a Problem of
2008 at the Phillips Theological
Professor Finkelman was a held in Jerusalem in connection Institutional Failure.” On
Seminary in Tulsa on January 22.
commentator at the American with Israel’s new copyright February 2, he presented a paper,
In November he gave a CLE
Society for Legal History’s statute. He was also invited to “Using Tort Litigation to
at the Indiana Supreme Court
Annual Meeting in Tempe, talk about trademark issues in Enhance Regulatory Policy-
on the history of slavery and
Ariz. on October 27. He was a Saloniki, Greece. making: Lessons from Gun
Indiana courts.
panelist at Brigham Young Industry and Clergy Sexual Abuse
University’s conference, Lawsuits and their Implications

36
 FACULTYNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

for Climate Change Litigation,” Annual Tax Conference in Las Schools. The paper was coau- 2008 meeting of the American
at an environmental law sympo- Vegas in November; “403(b) Plan thored by Government Law Bar Association’s State & Local
sium at the University of Texas Regulations” at the American Center Staff Attorney Amy Government Law Section in
Law School. Professor Lytton Society of Pension Professionals Lavine ’07. On November 9, Charleston, S.C.
was also interviewed on Chicago and Actuaries Annual Conference Dean Salkin presented the paper
Professor David Siegel and
Public Radio’s “City Show” in Washington, D.C., in “The Kelo Effect in New York,
Professor Patrick Connors
about gun control legislation on October; “Individual Retirement New Jersey and Pennsylvania:
presented “New York Practice
September 20 and by the Boston Accounts” at the NYU Annual Assessing the Impact of Kelo in
Updates” at the annual Appellate
Globe about his research on clergy Tax Institute in New York the Tri-State Region” during the
Judges Seminar held on
sexual abuse on January 29. (October) and in San Francisco Land & Power: The Impact of
November 18 in Saratoga Springs
(November); “Employee Eminent Domain in Urban
Professor Alicia Ouellette and at the New York State
Benefits Update” at the Albany Communities Symposium. The
presented “Restraining Parental Judicial Institute’s Conference
Chapter of New York Employee event was sponsored by the
Choice to Size and Shape held on November 27.
Benefits Conference” in Policy Research Institute for the
Children” at The Hastings Center
September; “Employee Benefits Region of the Woodrow Wilson
on December 10. In October,
Update” at the Albany Chapter School of Public & International
she presented “The Sale of
of International Society of Affairs at Princeton University.
Human Oocytes for Therapeutic
Certified Employee Benefits She also presented a paper,
Research” at the American
Specialists in September; “Land Use Law and Healthy
Society of Bioethics and the
“Federal Health Legislation, Children: Opportunities for
Humanities Annual Conference
International Foundation of States to Assume a Leadership
in Washington, D.C. On
Employee Benefit Plans” at the Role in Promoting and
September 28, she presented
Healthcare Management Incentivizing Local Options,”
“Bioethics and Law, Hospital
Conference in Williamsburg, at the First Annual Conference
Ethics Committees Swap Shop”
Va., sponsored by the Inter- on Law, Ethics & the Life
at the Mt. Sinai Medical College–
national Foundation of Employee Sciences at the Louis D.
Union Graduate College
Benefit Plans; and “Pension Brandeis School of Law of the
conference at Union College.
Update” at the Adirondack University of Louisville on
Professor David Pratt made Actuaries Club in June. October 26. Also in October,
the following presentations: Dean Salkin presented a course
Associate Dean Patricia Salkin
“Retirement Plan Distributions” for Union College’s Adult
presented the paper “Municipal
at the American Association of Lifelong Learning Program on
Regulation of Formula Retail:
Law Schools Section on the Religious Land Use and
Creating and Protecting
Employee Benefits in January; Institutionalized Persons Act.
Communities” at the Case
“Employee Benefits Update,” at
Western Reserve Law Review Associate Dean Patricia Salkin
Moore Stephens North America
Symposium on January 25. On participated in March in a
Annual Tax Conference, in
January 3, Dean Salkin presented national audio and web-based
Scottsdale, Ariz., in November;
the paper “The Genesis of CLE program for the Inter-
“Coordinating Retirement Plan
RLUIPA and Federalism: national Municipal Lawyers
Assets with the Estate” at the
Evaluating the Creation of a Association (IMLA) on the
New York State Bar Association
Federal Statutory Right and its Relgious Land Use and
in Albany in December;
Impact on Local Government” Institutionalized Persons Act.
“Employee Benefits Update” at
at the Annual Meeting of the She also presented a paper on
the CP America International
American Association of Law ethics in land use at the Spring
37
 ALUMNINEWS
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

Albany Law School Reunion Weekend 2007

All alumni ending with class years of ‘2’ and ‘7’ celebrated their reunion from Albany Law during the weekend of October 12 and 13. The
weekend began on Friday with the annual alumni golf tournament at Albany Country Club; the cold, rain and wind did not deter the avid
golfers. The weather improved for Saturday’s activities, which were held under bright sunny skies. The alumni ruggers were victorious in their
match against the students and afterwards both teams celebrated under the picnic tent. Alumni had the chance to tour the law school, attend a
CLE program and travel through the city of Albany on an amphibious tour that splashed into the Hudson River. The celebration culminated
with dinner and dancing on Saturday night as alumni reconnected with classmates.

From left, Jessica Wilcox ’97, Justin Miller ’97, Marie Roccapriore Shanahan ’97 and Noelle The Class of 1957 and their spouses and friends
Carmen Vasquez ’97 and Marie Roccapriore Kinsch ’96 reconnect during the alumni picnic gathered for the 50th Reunion photo during
Shanahan ’97 enjoy the dinner celebration in under the tent prior to the annual alumni vs. Reunion Weekend activities.
the Law School’s East Foyer as they reminisce student rugby game.
about their days at Albany Law.

The 2007 Alumni Awards and Trustees’ Gold Medal award were presented
during the Barrister Ball held at Albany Country Club on Friday,
September 26. The recipients from left, include: Keiki M. Cabanos ’97,
Outstanding Young Alumni Award; Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack ’75,
Distinguished Alumni Award; Honorable Richard J. Bartlett, Trustees’
Gold Medal Award; and Larry P. Schiffer ’79, Donald D. DeAngelis The Class of 2002 and guests celebrated their 5th Reunion on the
Excellence in Alumni Service Award. Hudson River on the Captain JP Cruise line on October 20, 2007.

38
 ALUMNINEWS
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

Bar Passers Celebrate Connect

Eighty-six percent of Albany Law’s ’07 first-time
Online with
test-takers passed the July 2007 New York bar Classmates
examination. Eighty percent of all Albany Law
bar exam takers passed the bar this year, exceeding Stay connected to your
the average rate for all of New York by more than classmates, friends and Albany
9 percent. Law School; register by visiting
The Law School honored more than 200 bar www.albanylaw.edu/alumni,
passers with a reception held at the Empire State and click on Online Alumni
Plaza in January. Judge Anthony J. Carpinello ’73, Community.
Appellate Division, who addressed the group,
congratulated our alumni who were among the From left, Carmen Warner ’07 and Erin Neale ’07. • Search for your friends,
750 lawyers admitted to the New York State Bar. classmates and alumni
That group is the largest number ever admitted to who live in your area
the bar during a single ceremony by the Appellate • Update your contact
Division of the New York State Supreme Court, information
Third Department, based in Albany. • Submit class notes
Appellate Division Presiding Justice Anthony • Register for Albany Law
Cardona ’70, Appellate Division Chief Clerk alumni events
Michael J. Novack ’71, and Judge Carpinello ’73 • Make a gift to the Albany
participated in the swearing-in ceremony. Federal
Law School Fund online
Magistrate Judge Randolph Treece ’76 delivered
• And more
the keynote address. Appellate Division Associate
Justice Edward Spain ’66 administered the oath of Want online help?
office. The ceremony was extra special for Judge
Spain, who swore in his daughter Sarah Spain ’07. From left, Glinnesa Gailliard ’07 and Joanne Casey, Contact Ariane Putnam,
Director, Career Center. Alumni Affairs Associate
at 518-445-3220 or
[email protected]

Save the Date!

Reunion Weekend 2008,
September 26–28
From left, Mary Lynch, Co-Director of the Albany
Planning is already under way for alumni
Law Clinic & Justice Center, Michael O’Leary ’07
who graduated in a year ending in ‘3’ or ‘8’.
and his mother, Joanne O’Leary.
Contact Christina Sebastian, Director of
Alumni Affairs, [email protected], to get
involved with your class activities.

39
 ALUMNINEWS
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

Albany Law School Alumni Events

Buffalo Area Alumni • November 11, 2007
Alumni continue to gather throughout the country to reconnect with Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, Buffalo, N.Y.
their alma mater for a variety of reasons, including networking, social-
izing, business development or to meet Dean Guernsey, faculty or staff.
Contact Christina Sebastian, Director of Alumni Affairs
([email protected] or 518-445-3361) to learn more, or visit
www.albanylaw.edu/alumni for a calendar of events.

Washington, D.C., Area Alumni • October 25, 2007

Chef Geoff’s Downtown, Washington, D.C.

From left, Maureen Brady ’84, John A. Michalek ’76 and Catherine
Carey ’87.

New York City Area Alumni • January 31, 2008

The Waldorf-Astoria, New York, N.Y.

From left, Jennifer Hughes ’95, Jessica Giroux ’04, Michael Donohue
’05, Mark Szymanski and Prof. Deborah Mann.

From left, Michele Baptiste ’00, Joshua Vinciguerra ’99, Mark Lemire
’01 and Keiki Cabanos ’97.

From left, Prof. Christian Sundquist, Montgomery Sibley ’81 and

Joseph Koury ’80.

40
 ALUMNINEWS
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

White Plains Area Alumni • November 14, 2007

Vintage Bar & Restaurant, White Plains, N.Y.

From left, John Halloran ’84, Gregory Getz ’80, Evelyn Petrone ’80, From left, Dionne Cuevas-Abreu ’98 and Carolyn Przybylo ’05.
Martha Sokol McCarty ’80 and David Gladstone ’80.

From left, Clorisa Cook ’04, Addisa Richards ’04, Joseph Nyland ’05 and From left, Fei-Lu Qian ’03, Heena Shaikh ’04 and Nancy Kim ’05.
Nicholas Tuffarelli ’05.

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 A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Deborah Paris Shifts from Law to Art

and Eventually Discovers the Connection
years ago, I know these are the direction of my life.” She
skills I can’t live without. That’s tentatively planned to wait a
better than feeling like two while, save some money and
different people.” then take off as an artist. “I wish
I could say I did that,” she said,
Why Law School? chuckling. “But I didn’t. I just
“I’ve always thought of myself as quit.” That was eight years ago.
an artist, probably since I was a Married now, she returned to
child,” Paris said from her Texas the art world with enormous
home which she shares with her energy to produce. “I focus as
husband. “I didn’t consider any much as I can on the painting, but
major in college except art.” it’s a business and there’s a lot
After earning her Bachelor of involved.” This includes staying
Fine Arts at the State University connected to numerous galleries,
of New York at Albany, the marketing, meeting show dead-
Jacksonville, Fla., native made lines, maintaining a blog, and
the unexpected decision to ordering supplies, to name a few
attend Albany Law School. “I things. Paris recently reduced a
was interested in representational fairly hectic schedule teaching
Paris’ “Rick’s Pool.” When Deborah Paris ’78 quit art, a type of art that, at the workshops around the country.
practicing law after 20 years to time, earned no respect from the Southwest Art Magazine named
“Painting is about pursue her painting full time,
it was the conclusion of a long,
art world. I was disenchanted
with the art world at the time….
her one of the “Artists to Watch,
December 2004.” In 2006 her
visual ideas. Once internal struggle. I’ve come to appreciate my work was featured in two new
“Even after I was back to
you have a visual painting for several years, I felt
decision for law school and my
training as a lawyer.”
books, Landscapes of New Mexico
(Fresco Fine Art Publications)
idea, the challenge like I was two different people,” After law school Paris joined and Plein Air New Mexico (Jack
she said. “I couldn’t figure out a Tampa firm of 50 attorneys, Richeson Art Publications). She
is to communicate how to connect the two worlds.” where she was the first woman regularly exhibits in galleries,
it in an effective Part epiphany, part gradual for several years. From there she museum shows and other events
insight, soon enough Paris joined another Tampa Bay firm nationwide, and she has received
way. Essentially watched her two worlds collide. as a real estate partner. the Best and Brightest Award
you’re solving a “Painting is about visual ideas,” “Being the only woman and the Pastel Society of
Paris explained. “Once you have presented an enormous learning America Award among many
series of problems a visual idea, the challenge is to curve for everyone,” she said. others. She has been featured in
and you need to communicate it in an effective “But, like everything else, the American Artist, Southwest Art
way. Essentially you’re solving a important thing was that I and The Pastel Journal.
understand what’s series of problems and you need worked hard and performed “When I was contemplating
working and to understand what’s working
and what’s not working on a
well.” She soon left to start a the move to art full time, people
new company with one partner, told me they couldn’t see me as
what’s not working technical and emotional level. which then dissolved into a anything but a lawyer,” Paris said,
on a technical “Once I realized how impor-
tant my legal training was to my
private practice for Paris.
During her early years at the
slightly laughing. “Art is what
I’m most passionate about; it’s
and emotional art, it set me apart from other firm, Paris had no time for art. the thing in my life that keeps
artists,” she said, emphasizing the
level….” weight of this personal discovery.
Just before she turned 40 she
started painting again. “I began
me fascinated.”
See her paintings at www.deb-
“Since that breakthrough a few to see that I needed to change orahparis.com. –DS

42
 CLASSNOTES
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

1946 1966 1975 1978

Honorable Carrol S. Walsh has Judge Frederic Rodgers began Roger Cusick has joined the Paul DerOhannesian II has
been named to the Johnstown his sixth term as judge in faculty of Union College in published the 3rd Edition of
High School Hall of Fame. Colorado’s First Judicial District, Schenectady, N.Y. He will be Sexual Assault Trials (LexisNexis
He served as the Fulton County in Golden, Colo. teaching political science. Publishing).
Court judge and surrogate
Judge Norman I. Siegel has Astrid C. Glynn has been named Andrew S. Fusco has been
until 1977 and as a Supreme
been named as a trustee to the the first female N.Y. State appointed City of Auburn
Court justice in the Fourth
St. Elizabeth Medical Center Transportation Commissioner. corporate counsel and Cayuga
Judicial District until his retire-
board, in Utica, N.Y. She started her legal career as a County Bar Association president.
ment in 1990.
maritime lawyer.
1970 Nadine Pellegrini is working on
1954
Johnna G. her master’s degree in animals and
Supreme Court Justice Frank B.
Peter Pryor and his wife, Barbara, Torsone has public policy. Upon completion,
Williams won re-election in
were honored with the Dr. been named she will return to her job as
the (11 county) Fourth Judicial
James M. Bell Humanitarian to the Board an assistant U.S. attorney in
District in New York.
Award from Parsons Child and of Directors Boston, Mass.
Family Center in Albany, N.Y. 1972 of The
Donald A. Williams has
They were cited for more than Westport
Justice Bernard J. Malone Jr. retired as Ulster County’s chief
40 years “enhancing the quality (Conn.) Country Playhouse.
has been appointed to the prosecutor, a position he has
of life for others.”
Appellate Division, Third Depart- 1976 held since 1999.
1958 ment by former Governor Eliot
Bond, 1979
Spitzer. He had been appointed
Lt. Col. William Holzapfel Schoeneck &
to the Manhattan-based First James N. Baldwin, Questar III
received the 2007 Distinguished King recently
Department by Governor Pataki BOCES district superintendent,
Citizen Award by the Greater welcomed
in 2005. was elected to a four year term on
Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce their new
the Association of Educational
in recognition of his diligent 1973 partner, John
Services Agencies Executive
work as the city attorney of the R. Aldrich,
The Honorable David Demarest Council. This is a professional
city of Elizabeth, N.J. to the firm’s Albany office and
of Canton was re-elected to organization serving 553 educa-
Estate and Financial Planning
1964 serve the Fourth Judicial District tion service agencies across the
Department.
for another term. country.
Thomas Dolin has become the Hon. W. Dennis Duggan was
New Scotland Town Supervisor. Helen Volk has authored and Charles F. Crimi, Jr. has closed
elected to his second three-year
He served as Town Justice for published revised editions of his private practice to become a
term on the Board of Trustees of
14 years, was the town attorney her three most popular books: judge for the Rochester, N.Y.,
the National Council of Juvenile
for Westerlo and worked for De-Clutter, De-Stress Your Life, City Court.
and Family Court Judges.
almost 40 years in private practice The Organized Garage Sale and Margaret Mary Cangilos-Ruiz
as a commercial lending lawyer. Filing, 101. Her website is 1977
has been appointed Bankruptcy
www.beyondclutter.com.
1965 Sharon Landers is currently Judge for the U.S. Court of
1974 Assistant City Manager of the Appeals for the Second Circuit in
Judge Walter Gage retired from Syracuse, N.Y. She was formerly
Orange County City of Irvine,
the Geneva, N.Y., city court Stewart P. Glenn established a
Calif. Since June 2007 she has head of the bankruptcy depart-
bench on Dec. 31, 2007, after new firm, Glenn & Breheney
also been the CEO of the ment at Whiteman Osterman &
16 years of public service. He PLLC, in August 2006 in
Orange County Great Park. Hanna in Albany, N.Y.
will also be handing over most of Newburgh, N.Y.
his cases from his private practice
to his law partner.
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A L U M N I P R O F I L E

In the Non-Profit Trenches, Quattrochi [A]uctioned items

Fights for People with HIV/AIDS include: lunch
with Anderson
When Gina Quattrochi left My Children” star Thorsten Kaye, $50 million association, she left
Cooper, a week
her associate director position as well as artwork by artists for the New York State Nurses at Val Kilmer’s
at the New York State Nurses Robert Mapplethorpe, William Association representing 30,000
Association to head Bailey House, Wegman and Herb Ritts. registered nurses across the state in
Santa Fe Ranch,
Inc., a non-profit providing Along with running operations all aspects of collective bargaining. a night on the
housing-assistance and services and fundraising, Quattrochi “This was a job well-suited for
for people with HIV/AIDS, spends considerable time my politics and my personality.” town with “All
Quattrochi jumped at the advocating for state and federal While at the Association, she My Children” star
chance to use her legal skills for policy. In 1993, she helped served on the board of directors
advocacy, particularly in an area establish the National AIDS of Bailey House, where she grew Thorsten Kaye,
she felt needed attention. At the Housing Coalition and served intimate with the organization. as well as artwork
time, she had already lost several as its President for three years. When the top job opened, she
of her friends to AIDS, including She has also served as Chairperson jumped. “I was well over my head by artists Robert
Scott Osadchey ’78.
Quattrochi never imagined
of the New York City AIDS
Housing Network and served
quickly,” Quattrochi said of her
early days. “I thought I knew
Mapplethorpe,
she’d be there today, 17 years on federal and state advisory everything as a lawyer but run- William Wegman
later. Her reasons are simple: boards. Quattrochi has also been ning an organization that serves
“The work is important. The an adjunct professor at the New people with AIDS was a whole
and Herb Ritts.
battles change and the political York University Wagner School other undertaking. I learned to
climate changes. The epidemic for Public Service for 10 years. be humble.” $1million in services since 1985.
still rages in many parts of the Over the years Quattrochi The mission is daunting and Quattrochi has a son, age 13,
country, including New York, has seen the epidemic change a matter of life or death for and daughter, age 18, whom she
and all over the world.” dramatically, and, subsequently, thousands of families, creating the raised with her former partner
Some 700 people with the funding for the virus. She impetus for Quattrochi to stay Dr. Priscilla Lenes. A dabbler in
HIV/AIDS rely on her organiza- explained, “In ’86 people were at it for almost two decades now. karate since her law school days,
tion for housing and services. dying rapidly. We didn’t know Quattrochi has traveled in an Quattrochi pursued it more
Serving four of the five boroughs, how AIDS was transmitted. In expert team to teach and learn intensely at age 45, earning a
services range from permanent the next phase, people with the from peers in South Africa and black belt three years later.
supportive housing to mental virus lived for three or four Zambia, with another team, in “My favorite thing is the full-
health and substance use services years. Then 10 years. And now, Cuba, where she praised the contact fighting,” she said. “You
as well as a food pantry and treatment can sustain their lives. Cuban system for providing learn the most about yourself
special programs for formerly These medical breakthroughs comprehensive care. during these times.” She called
incarcerated men and women required us to evolve our services “The issues remain numerous herself an “in-fighter,” leaning on
living with HIV/AIDS. as the nature of the epidemic, and complex,” Quattrochi said. strength and power, instead of a
Hardly a shoestring operation and public sentiment, changed.” “How we teach HIV prevention point-fighter who relies more on
with a $10 million annual budget, in school must change. How we agility and lightness. “I’m like
Quattrochi raises the funds for A Winding Path approach prevention, which is that at advocacy work too, but I
Bailey House every year through After Albany Law School, related to a lot of other issues, have learned that sometimes
grants and gifts. They also hold Quattrochi took an associate including domestic violence, diplomacy works better.”
an auction annually, their flag- position at the firm Jackson, homelessness, drug use and It may be her full-contact
ship event for more than 1,000 Lewis, Schnitzler & Krupman, mental illness. And of course, approach that allowed her to
people, which brings in almost performing labor law for employ- funding is needed for this work.” bring the organization from a
10% of the budget. Only-in-N.Y. ers. After four years, she left to She praised Bingham $3 million to $10 million
auctioned items include: lunch become associate general counsel McCutchen for their pro bono operation. And it’s her ability to
with Anderson Cooper, a week for the United Cerebral Palsy legal help, as well as Richards identify and forge her own style
at Val Kilmer’s Santa Fe Ranch, Association of New York State. O’Neill and Bingham Dana before that will likely lead her to bring
a night on the town with “All With three years at the them, for providing around Bailey House, Inc. to its next level.

44
A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Engineer-Lawyer Leaves Lab,

Now Manages IP Law Group at IBM
During the early 70s, Marc D. and business consulting services. Fred Thiele has returned to his
Schechter ’78 trained in quantum Now, in his current position as home town of Sag Harbor, N.Y.,
theory and relativity and spent senior group intellectual property to serve the village as attorney.
time in a laboratory at Rensselaer law counsel for IBM Americas
1980
Polytechnic Institute studying Sales & Distribution in Somers,
electromigration. In 1975 he N.Y., he oversees intellectual Janet
earned his B.S. in physics and property law policies and organ- Callahan
considered earning his PhD. izations in the United States and was selected
“I wanted to be a physicist or Canada supporting Americas sales, by the
an electrical engineer but at that marketing, technical solutions Association
time post doctoral positions in development, and distribution. of Justices of
physics were few and far between.” Marc D. Schechter ’78 “Our team advises senior the Supreme
Schechter swapped the lab for management and manages Court of the State of New York
law—intellectual property law. & Mesiti) in Albany, then left intellectual property law aspects to speak at their 2007 annual
“I had a few friends who for the IP law department of of customer transactions, fall conference in Saratoga
were working at the U.S. Patent Philips Electronics in Tarrytown. marketing strategy, acquisitions, Springs, N.Y.
and Trademark Office, and they During his time at Philips, divestitures, patent litigation,
Mark Gorgos, managing partner
encouraged me to get into the IP Schechter spent his days OEM agreements, clearance and
of Coughlin & Gerhart in
field,” said Schechter. “I figured preparing patent and trademark infringement investigations for
Binghamton, N.Y., has been
my physics and engineering applications in areas such as our division.”
appointed to the Government
background was a good fit for optical fibers, silicon devices, Schechter said he depends on
Law Center Advisory Board at
practicing patent law.” dielectric and magnetic materials, a team of nine highly experi-
Albany Law School. Gorgos
Schechter took his friends and images sensors. At night, he enced in-house patent attorneys
concentrates on commercial
advice and enrolled into spent his time in class earning as well as a number of outside
law, municipal and education
Albany Law studying intellectual his M.B.A. from Pace University. law firms to provide intellectual
law, public sector labor law and
property and tax law. In 1987, after eight years property support for IBM
creditor bankruptcy matters.
Intellectual property was not with Philips, Schechter took a Americas Sales & Distribution.
offered as a concentration at position as senior attorney in “Our organization is a part of Honorable Christopher G.
Albany Law School at the time, IBM’s T.J. Watson Research IBM’s worldwide IP Law Quinn has joined the Board of
so Schechter created a self-study Center IP Law Department in Department that includes other Directors of New Island Hospital
course with Professor Michael Yorktown Heights. He worked business units such as Systems in Bethpage, N.Y. He is currently
Hutter. on patent applications, patent & Technology Group, Software a supervising judge for the
“Professor Hutter divided a clearances, and patent litigation Group, Global Services, and Nassau County District Court.
casebook into 15 sections and in technical areas such as speech Research, and other IBM regions
1981
we met once a week for 15 weeks recognition, machine translation, such as Europe and Asia.”
going over cases cover-to-cover,” data communication subsystems, “Because of our strong James Caruso joined Bartle
explained Schechter. “It was liquid crystal displays, thin film intellectual property law team, McGrane Duffy and Jones LLP
an invaluable experience and transistors, image processing IBM obtained over 3,100 U.S. in Troy, N.Y.
one of my fondest Albany Law algorithms and cache memory patents in 2007. That’s more Judge Peter G. Crummey
School memories having architectures. than any other company for the was re-elected to a third term
one-on-one teaching time with Schechter has now been with 15th year in a row.” as Colonie Town Justice,
Professor Hutter.” IBM for over 20 years, working Schechter lives with his Colonie, N.Y.
After graduating from Albany his way up from research, to wife, Anne, of 31-years in
Law School, Schechter worked corporate headquarters, back Thornwood, N.Y. He has three Justice Leslie E. Stein has been
as a patent attorney at the law to research, and then to micro- adult daughters. –NS appointed to the Appellate
firm of Heslin, Irwin & Neiman electronics, software group, Division, Third Department by
(now Heslin, Rothenberg, Farley information technology services former Governor Eliot Spitzer.

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A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Brothers to the Tee, the McGraths Make it Seem Easy

It would be hard to think James

’86 and Michael McGrath ’80
“We used to
are anything but brothers, with commute together,
their quick exchange of banter,
their need to rib one another,
we don’t now.
and their knowledge of intimate Sometimes we
facts about each other.
“I have an Albany Law table
don't see each
lamp and an Albany Law watch,” other for two
said Michael at the start of a
conversation in Putney, Twombly’s weeks. My wife
New York office, where both will ask me how
brothers practice labor and
employment law on behalf of Mike is, and
management. she’ll often know
“You gave that same watch
to Dad,” countered the younger James (left) and Michael McGrath, at Putney, Twombly’s New York office. better than I do.”
Jim, referring to their father
James E. McGrath, Jr., a 1957 us,” said Michael, continuing with their grandfather in Albany. Today the brothers represent
grad of Albany Law. the point. “He just thought I’d Both fondly recalled their similar clients around labor and
“You had Moriarty for changed a lot since the last time dinners with their grandfather, employment issues, but do not
Criminal,” Jim reminded Michael, he saw me.” particularly the “early-bird dinners share many clients. Collectively
which prompted the older With six years between the at Ponderosa.” they range from large universities
Michael to relate a story about two, the competition may not Michael married his wife to health care institutions to
Prof. Daniel Moriarty’s last class be so fierce, though Jim did during law school, while Jim automobile dealers.
of the year, which involved a poke fun of his older brother’s married after school, spending They shared a slew of
sword and a riveting speech that new haircut after Michael his three law school years living professors at Albany Law School,
drew a standing ovation. declared, “I’m the smarter one.” with their grandfather. relating stories about several
Same law school. Same law After school, Michael applied common professors, including
firm. Same practice area. Same Not Identical, to a number of firms and landed Jack Welsh, David Siegel, Michael
commute from Connecticut. but Similar, Paths an associate spot at Putney Hutter and Peter Preiser.
“We used to commute together, With their father a Mobil Oil Twombly. Jim took a summer Jim said that one of the firm’s
we don’t now,” said Jim. “Some- executive, the family of eight associate position at Putney partners had recently finished a
times we don’t see each other children spent their school while in law school, then applied case in which former Albany
for two weeks. My wife will ask years in Albany, Kansas City, for a full-time position after Law Dean Richard Bartlett also
me how Mike is, and she’ll often Framingham, Mass., and school. While he had been appeared. Jim remarked that
know better than I do.” Stamford, Conn., where all eight assured a full-time position, he Dean Bartlett always made a
“When I started here, there graduated from high school mistakenly received a formal point of asking about the
was one partner who didn’t and where the brothers now live rejection letter from the firm. McGraths’ father.
distinguish us,” said Jim, an with their own families. While Jim told this story, he Their cousin, Sharon Rogler
oddity given their distinct They attended different glanced at Michael as if to still Tromp, graduated in 1994. Jim
physical differences. “He would undergraduate schools—Michael blame him for receiving the told Mike that they may soon
tell Michael something about a at Southern Connecticut State mistaken rejection letter. have another cousin attending
case, and then assume I had the College and Jim at the University “I was an associate,” Michael Albany Law School.
same information.” of Virginia. During their said, an executive committee “I guess if you’re a McGrath
“I faced an arbitrator who separate times at Albany Law member today. “I had nothing attending law school, you go to
didn’t know there were two of School, the brothers each lived to do with any of it.” Albany Law.” –DS

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A L U M N I P R O F I L E

A Veteran Manhattan Prosecutor, Loewy Sees Parallels

in Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence Crimes
After 23 years in the Manhattan be a lawyer. I appreciate that but case or an opportunity to be in
District Attorney’s Office, five I wasn’t one of them….” another Unit. Working for Mr.
of them running the Domestic Far from it. Loewy, after Morgenthau has been a tremen-
Violence Unit and now head of graduating University of dous honor in every sense—
the Elder Abuse Unit, Elizabeth Pennsylvania, left her Albany otherwise I wouldn’t still be here.”
Loewy ’84 sees haunting parallels home—her father was a professor Married with two children
between the two cultures and at Rensselaer Polytechnic and living in Westchester, much
their public perception. Institute—for Manhattan theater, of her days are spent on trial or
“Like domestic violence where two of her siblings have preparing for grand jury. A good
about 15 years ago, there’s a since made their careers. “While part of her job also requires
misconception out there that in New York, my outlook slowly community work. Again drawing
elder abuse is a family matter, changed…. I decided that by the parallel to domestic violence,
and not a crime,” Loewy Elizabeth Loewy ’84 becoming a lawyer I might be Loewy said that elderly abuse is
explained. “In the heat of the able to help do something to widely underreported. “As head
moment, when they lose their endless collection of high profile change the world. I applied to of the unit, it’s important for
composure, you hear the same crime stories. Now, her stories some law schools and decided to me to be out in the community
kind of thinking” from defen- focus on victims 60 years-plus, go to Albany Law.” to raise awareness and generate
dants. Typically, younger centered on domestic violence After her first year, she spent referrals.” –DS
exploiters explain that “they’re or neglect, financial exploitation a summer at a law firm. “The
entitled to an estate because from family members or profes- lawyers were terrific and it was a
they are the only living relatives sionals, and evictions by drug great firm, but the work didn’t
or because they are in the will,” dealers who have taken over a come naturally for me.” Her
said Loewy, and “when the building inhabited by elderly. next summer was spent at the
Her cases still attract top media
elder lives longer than expected,
bad things happen.” attention, including an ongoing
Manhattan D.A.’s office. “I was
relieved and excited. I felt as
“And as baby
She’s received calls from law case involving the estate of Brooke though I had found a calling— boomers are
Astor and her son accused of
enforcement professionals who
ask, “Since the defendant is in robbing the estate.
up until that point, I wasn’t sure
what I was doing in law school.”
moving into their
the will and is getting it anyway, Ask Loewy a question and In her second year she entered elder years, we
doesn’t this preclude a theft she can’t help herself from and won the Gabrielli Moot
charge?” Loewy’s answer is con- answering briefly before firing Court Competition, recalling
have older
sistently simple. “You don’t get it back her own series of questions:
What do you think? Where are
her advisor Professor Mary domestic violence
early. And there is no exception Helen Moses and her partner
in the larceny statute for family you from? How did you get into John Hayes ’84. “That was
victims, as well as
members or beneficiaries.” this work? This is the inescapable
habit of a prosecutor who still
when I realized, ‘I can do this.’” older victims and
The parallels aren’t coinci- Two decades of working with
dental, Loewy claimed. “The carries her own caseload by D.A. Robert M. Morgenthau, defendants with
choice, as well as oversees dozens
battering, the drug abuse —
of assistant D.A.’s, in an Office
the daughter of a college professor addiction issues.”
these problems don’t go away as who moved the family to three
defendants age. And as baby that prosecutes over 500 elder different cities before landing in
boomers are moving into their abuse cases a year. Albany, Loewy has never stayed
elder years, we have older At no time in her early years in any one place this long.
domestic violence victims, as did Loewy set out for this life. “With this job, a new and
well as older victims and defen- “I’m on the hiring board,” she interesting issue presents itself
dants with addiction issues.” explained. “I meet a lot of candi- every day” she said. “Any time
Twenty-three years in the dates who have known from their I’ve even thought about leaving,
famed D.A.’s office, Loewy has an early years that they wanted to there has been a fascinating new

47
CLASSNOTES

She was an Albany City Court Michael Norris has joined Sentry insurance claims, personal injury, Lawyers in America for his
and acting Albany County Group in Rochester, N.Y., premises liability, contracts, real accomplishments in the field of
Family Court judge before as general counsel. He will be property issues and Article 78 intellectual property law. He is
becoming an Albany County responsible for managing all proceedings. a partner in the McDermott
Supreme Court justice in 2002. legal affairs of the company. Will and Emery law firm in
1987
Washington, D.C.
1982 Andrea M. Quercia is the
Gardiner “Tad” Barone has
vice president and general Kevin M. Lang has joined the
Matthew D. been made a partner in the
counsel at ITT Corporation in Albany office of the international
Babcock, Middletown, N.Y., law firm
Rochester, N.Y. law firm Greenberg Traurig
Chief Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone.
LLP. He will be of counsel in
Operating 1984 His experience covers civil trial
the Energy and Natural
Officer, St. and appellate cases, land use,
James Resources Group.
Elizabeth development and planning.
Orband, a
Medical 1992
Binghamton Jeffrey McMorris has been
Center, recently became a Fellow
attorney with named as attorney of counsel at Colleen Babb was appointed
of the American College of
Hinman, the Stanclift Law Firm P.C. in the executive assistant district
Healthcare Executives (ACHE),
Howard & firm’s Glens Falls, N.Y., office. attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y. She
the nation’s leading professional
Kattell, LLP, is responsible for the School of
society for healthcare leaders. 1988
has been elected chair of the Advocacy Bureau, which includes
Stephen T. Helmer was Business Law Section of the Andrea Cilli co-chaired the crimes in schools and juvenile
appointed managing partner at New York State Bar Association. Capital Region and Central crimes outside of school.
Mackenzie Hughes law firm in New York Bankruptcy Bar
Elizabeth A. Roosa has joined Matthew Blank and his wife,
Syracuse, N.Y. Associations 12th Annual
the firm of Roosa & Roosa in Cori, recently opened their new
Bankruptcy Conference in
Richard A. Kaplan has been Beacon, N.Y. store, Mine! Mine! Mine!, in the
Cooperstown.
named one of the “Illinois Super village of Florida, N.Y.
1985
Lawyers” for 2008 as conducted Jan R. McConnaughey joined
James G.
by Law and Politics magazine. Gloria Herron Arthur has the Corporate, Business &
Cavoli has
He is an intellectual property joined the New York State Bar Regulatory Legal Staff of
been named
attorney with Brinks Hofer Association and will serve as the Eastman Kodak Company as
a partner in
Gilson & Lione in Chicago, Ill. director of Pro Bono Affairs. Chief Counsel, Consumer
Milbank,
Digital Imaging Group and Vice
1983 Andrew Pelletier is still Tweed,
President, Legal Department,
practicing law but has just Hadley &
Martin Finn has written effective Jan. 2, 2008.
published his third children’s McCloy LLP’s Litigation Group,
chapters for the newly published
book, “The Toy Farmer” with Nicholas Mesiti and David P. in New York City. His practice
“Mergers and Acquisitions Cases
Dutton’s Children’s Books. Miranda were named “New encompasses a full range of
and Problems” with Prof. Wendy
York Super Lawyers” by Law & complex litigation, including
Davis and Amy L. Dickson ’07. 1986
Politics and the publishers of civil and criminal enforcement of
Stephen Hicks has been Thomas Clements of Hudson Valley magazine. They are the securities laws, and interna-
appointed senior vice president Queensbury has been named both with the firm of Heslin, tional commercial arbitration.
and chief legal counsel at president of the Warren County Rothenberg, Farley & Mesiti,
Laura Egner has won the Brigid
MTM Technologies, Inc. in Bar Association for 2007–2008. P.C., in Albany.
Nolan Memorial Award for
Stamford, Conn.
Denise M. Fitzpatrick has 1991 Pro Bono Service to Victims in
joined the law firm of Sholes & Domestic Violence as presented
Brian Ferguson was named
Miller. Her practice focuses on by The Legal Project of the
in the 2008 edition of The Best
medical and legal malpractice, Capital District Women’s Bar
Association.
48
A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Seeing the Litigator as the Cowboy, Lucas

Winds Up in Million Dollar Advocates Forum
By Paul Grondahl

Scott R. Lucas ’85 won a in favor of younger, white & Lockwood, then the largest
$12.5 million discrimination engineers. The alleged retaliation law firm in Connecticut,
verdict nearly two years ago in included a poor evaluation, where he rotated through all
federal District Court in increased scrutiny and criticism, departments and decided
Connecticut against General and relegation to menial tasks litigation was the area in which
Electric Co., representing former on a project he invented. The he wanted to work.
GE employee Hemant K. Mody, case was of such note that it “It seemed to me the litigators
a Ph.D. and chief engineer. The became the subject of a Business were the cowboys of the profes-
large legal victory reminded Week magazine cover story. sion,” he said, “and I thought
Lucas just how far he had come “Regardless of the money, that would be a great place to
since entering Albany Law and I get a good feeling taking on end up.”
deciding to pursue a legal career these cases and protecting a And so he has ended up as a
after earning a bachelor of person against a big company litigator, where he’s had a great
science in management at Scott Lucas ’85 deal of success, despite flunking
with its large resources and top
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. attorneys,” said Lucas, who has his first law school quiz.
“I had Frank Anderson for relocation industry who was handled a lot of cases involving
Criminal Law and I’d heard he demoted and terminated despite age and sex discrimination.
was a very tough grader. He assurances by her supervisor after “These cases involve a tremen-
gave me an ‘F’ on my very first her husband, formerly a Cendant dous amount of preparation,
quiz,” Lucas recalled with a employee, went to work for a the files are large and you have
laugh. “In engineering school, relocation competitor. behemoth summary judgment
there was always a right and
wrong answer, but in the law
“It was a big case and a unique
trial for Danbury, Conn., which
motions you have to defeat to As a lawyer in a
get to trial.”
there never is. Instead of doesn’t have many million-dollar As a lawyer in a small firm small firm going
analyzing the questions on that
first quiz, I wrote short responses
verdicts,” said Lucas, whose
seven-figure verdicts earned
going up against a conglomerate up against a
with resources as deep as GE’s,
that I thought were the right him membership in The Million Lucas has to work doubly hard conglomerate with
answers. It was a real wakeup call.” Dollar Advocates Forum, a
Fortunately, Lucas recovered group of trial lawyers who have
to level the legal playing field.
“The corporate lawyers try to
resources as deep
nicely after failing his first quiz won verdicts, awards and settle- paper you to death,” he said. as GE’s, Lucas has
in law school and he went on ments in excess of $1 million. The federal judges are often
to become managing editor of Lucas and his wife, Jane Cavalier, receptive to defense arguments,
to work doubly
the Law Review, an experience who has her own brand consulting as employment cases have, in hard to level the
he credits with honing his legal company, have three children certain areas, overwhelmed their
analytical skills. and live in Weston, Conn. dockets. Trials in general are a
legal playing field.
Lucas is a founding partner His 2006 victory against disappearing event, Lucas
of Martin, Lucas & Chioffi, a GE is currently on appeal after noted: “We often hear about
Stamford, Conn., firm with a judge reduced the verdict the disappearing jury trial these
10 lawyers. He heads its litigation amount to $8.3 million. Lucas days as a result of mandatory
practice. He won a $1.3 million successfully argued that Mody, mediation and the simple fact
jury verdict against Cendant of Indian descent, was unlawfully that 95 percent of cases usually
Mobility Services Corp. in fired and otherwise retaliated settle before trial.”
Connecticut State Supreme against after he complained he Lucas credits his career choice
Court in 2003 on behalf of his and others of Asian descent were to an internship he landed while
client, a top producer in the routinely passed for promotions at Albany Law with Cummings

49
A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Drawn to the FBI,

Special Agent Medrano
Chose Enforcement
By Paul Grondahl When the FBI came to recruit
students at Albany Law School,
Vikki Motala Medrano ’91 faced
a major career decision. “I had
spent a summer working in the
D.A.’s office in Rochester and
I liked it, but was intrigued by
the idea of becoming a Special
Agent, so I pursued an opening
in the Bureau,” she recalled.
Today, as a special agent
with 16 years’ experience, she is
stationed in the Los Angeles
The best days were office with a new position in the
asset forfeiture section. “It really
Vikki Motala Medrano ’91

when she helped helps to have a legal background person returned to their family, gather the evidence they need,”
for this job,” Medrano said. unharmed. The worst days were Medrano said.
quickly crack She teams with special agents those in which the criminals Medrano feels that being a
kidnapping cases with accounting backgrounds killed their victims, such as a lawyer helps her each day in
on bank fraud cases. Her job ring of Russian mobsters who her work as a special agent. “A
and was able to includes writing seizure warrants murdered repeatedly before law perfect example is writing an
see the kidnapped so that a judge will allow the enforcement solved the case. affidavit for a search warrant to
government to seize cars, houses One of Medrano’s more get into a house,” she said. “I
person returned and other assets purchased bizarre cases, at least for a lawyer, like to write and have the legal
to their family, through criminal enterprises. involved a plaintiff ’s attorney in background, so I can write an
“There’s so much variety to a price-fixing case who began affidavit quickly. But that’s a
unharmed. this work,” she said. “I was in stalking the defendant’s winning very daunting task for somebody
the violent crimes unit for five attorney and made threatening without legal training. I think
years and worked on cases phone calls, sent harassing e-mails being a lawyer helps me zero in
involving kidnapping, murder and showed up at the lawyer’s on certain facets of a case, helps
for hire and extortion. The office, threatening murder. me avoid legal pitfalls and allows
hours were long and you got used “This was after some school me to solve cases more quickly.”
to being called out to a crime shootings and people became very Medrano has never fired her
scene in the middle of the night.” concerned about the threats…. gun in the line of duty, although
After completing her rigorous We arrested him within a week,” she does keep current on training
training at the FBI Academy in she recalled. The attorney was for firearms and defensive tactics.
Quantico, Va., Medrano worked convicted and went to prison. When she goes to a crime scene,
out of the Chicago office before Another interesting assignment she wears the FBI “raid jacket,”
transferring to L.A. because her for Medrano was with the public like on TV.
husband, also an FBI special corruption squad. “Some of those “It’s been an interesting and
agent with an accounting back- cases are ongoing and will be challenging job and I like what I
ground, was assigned there. coming to trial soon,” she said. do,” she said, without voicing
During her years investigating “You learn a lot about being a any regrets about choosing to
violent crimes in L.A., the best special agent on the job, because go to work for the FBI instead
days were when she helped quickly there’s no right way to solve a of waiting for an offer from a
crack kidnapping cases and case. Everyone develops a personal D.A.’s office.
was able to see the kidnapped style and how they decide to
50
CLASSNOTES

Karl E. Manne has been 1994 Ann Sharpe has taken a Kenneth D.
appointed as the Town of position with Cioffi, Slezak & Suzan has
Kimberly Y. Jones has been
Herkimer town justice. He Wildgrube, PC in Niskayuna, been elected
elected to the Boston Bar
maintains a general practice, N.Y. to partner-
Association’s Council. She is
which includes presentation of ship at
Counsel at Foley Hoag LLP 1996
clients in civil and criminal Hodgson
and focuses her practice on rep-
litigation, business and corpo- John M. Russ LLP.
resentation of corporate clients
rate matters, bankruptcies and Bagyi, a He is a member of the firm’s
and employers in labor and
real estate closings. partner in Intellectual Property & Tech-
employment law and litigation.
Bond, nology Law, International/
Johnnette Traill has been
Christine Sabino Kiesel was Schoeneck & Cross-Border, and E-Commerce
awarded the Thomas E. Dewey
selected as the Accent on King, PLLC Practice Groups.
Medal for Queens County as
Excellence winner for 2006. She was listed in
the best prosecutor of the year John Um has joined the law
is the Statewide Child Welfare The Best Lawyers in America
by the New York City Bar. firm of Loeb & Loeb LLP in
Court Improvement Project 2008. This is the second consec-
N.Y. He will practice in all
1993 manager, based in Utica, N.Y. utive year Bagyi has been listed
aspects of advertising and
in the Management Labor and
Timothy M. Fitzgerald was David Luci has been appointed marketing law with a particular
Employment Law Category, and
featured in the Rochester Business general counsel and vice presi- emphasis in on-line media.
he remains the youngest lawyer
Journal as the leader of the dent, corporate development
in New York State to receive this Molly Wilkinson has been
commercial real estate practice for MacroChem. He will also
honor. named chief of staff of the U.S.
group at Harris Beach PLLC. be corporate secretary with
Small Business Administration.
responsibilities encompassing all Gregory D. Byrne was named
Christopher C. Gerard joined She will lead the agency’s efforts
the company’s legal matters. partner with Pricewaterhouse-
Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C. to improve procurement oppor-
Coopers. He lives in New York,
in New York, N.Y., as a share- Kristen Martin has been tunities for small business.
N.Y., with his wife Lauren
holder in the Trusts and Estates appointed an officer of the Utica
Taylor Byrne ’98. 1997
practice. National Insurance Group,
as assistant vice president, and Jennifer J. Corcoran has joined Christine H. Guido has joined
Cheryl Hogan has received
named compliance officer. the Balzar & Leary Firm in the law firm of Rusk, Wadlin,
the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial
Albany, N.Y. Heppner and Martuscello in
Award for Pro Bono Service to 1995
Kingston, N.Y., as a senior
Victims of Domestic Violence as Peter A. Lauricella has been
Mark Grosky is owner and associate.
presented by The Legal Project elevated to partner at the firm
principal of Grosky Law Firm in
of the Capital District Women’s of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Justin S.
Clifton Park, N.Y. he specializes
Bar Association. Edelman & Dicker LLP, in Miller has
in trusts and estates and elder law.
Albany, N.Y. been elected
Christopher Potash, a partner
Megyn Kelly is co-anchor of a member of
at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, Thomas Lavery has been
Fox News Channel’s “America’s the law firm
has been recognized as a leader promoted to senior associate at
Newsroom.” of Harris
in the “Forty Under 40” Pattison Sampson Ginsberg &
Michelle Fasciana Rider has Beach and
program in the Rochester (N.Y.) Griffin PC. His practice areas
been named partner in the firm practices in their Rochester, N.Y.,
Business Journal. include contracts, commercial
Rider, Weiner & Frankel, PC office. He is part of the Public
and civil litigation, and adminis-
in New Windsor, N.Y. Also a Finance & Economic Develop-
trative law.
certified public accountant, she ment Practice Group, the Energy
Industry Team, and Municipali-
has been associated with the
ties and Quasi-Governmental
firm for more than three years.
Agencies Team.

51
A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Herman Founds and Grows Freshfields’

N.Y. Corporate Practice
When Sports Direct International, $182 million—and amended buyout of SBS Broadcasting.
the United Kingdom’s largest the acquisition terms in a matter While the recent credit crunch
sporting goods chain, moved in of hours,” said Herman. has changed the mix of work,
to acquire the iconic U.S. boxing Then came a series of lawsuits, because the U.S. dollar has
company Everlast for $30 per including one from Hidary remained relatively weak, there
share at the beginning of last contending that their original is continued interest on the part
summer, they didn’t expect two deal should have been honored, of European corporations and
Matt Herman ’94
counter-bids from the original and class action lawsuits from global SWFs (sovereign wealth
buyout group, the investment shareholders claiming fiduciary funds) in U.S. M+A generally, countered by a sound footing at
firm Hidary, first at $30.55 then duty breaches by Everlast— and Freshfields’ global client home with his family. He lives
for $31.25. and aiding and abetting by base has Herman and his in Larchmont with his wife,
“We thought the deal was Sports Direct. New York team busy. Herman an investment banker, and their
complete when we signed and “All this happened very fast, currently has six significant deals 2- and 4-year-old children.
topped Hidary’s original bid of which required a lot of advance for non-U.S. clients in various Herman started his career at
$26.50 per share, but then got ‘what if’ planning,” said Herman. stages of their transactions. a hedge fund in New York
word via an SEC filing and “And with each move came the before going to law school.
then from Everlast’s lawyers that headlines, not just in the Wall From the Start
Once in school, he gravitated
Hidary had made a second, Street Journal and Barron’s, but He started at Freshfields five toward law centered around
higher bid for the company,” said also in local tabloids like the years ago, when he launched business transactions like mergers
Matt Herman ’94, a corporate N.Y. Post (Everlast played well the firm’s New York corporate and acquisitions. After his second
partner in Freshfields’ New York for N.Y. readers) and full-blown practice, which has grown to year he worked as a summer
office where he specializes in coverage in the London press, five partners and 25 associates associate at Willkie Farr &
international mergers and acqui- home of Sports Direct’s profile.” today, handling multi-jurisdic- Gallagher, where he was hired
sitions, private equity transactions By the end of last summer, tional mergers and acquisitions, as a full-time associate after
and securities offerings. Herman said, the transaction private equity transactions, joint graduating, working in New
“We quickly convened closed, and the remaining law- ventures and securities offerings. York and then for two years in
meetings and calls with both suits were all finally settled. “I do about 25% domestic Willkie’s London office. In ’99
the client and then with “While not close to the largest and 75% international, which is he moved to Brobeck, Phleger
Everlast, and raised our bid to deal we’ve done, it brought the right mix for me,” said & Harrison in its N.Y. office,
$33 per share —approximately together a lot of the key elements Herman; however, he admits until the firm went under in ’03
of our public M+A practice, and the travel associated with inter- due to debt.
that is always a lot of fun.” national transactions (some 15 “Brobeck announced its
Herman is no stranger to long-haul trips a year to Europe, dissolution on a Thursday and
complex M+A deals like Everlast. the Middle East, Asia and Latin
“And with each In the last two years he advised America) can get tiring at times.
on Friday I was working at
Freshfields,” Herman said, the
move came the Linde, the German gases “People think that international move forecasting the frenzied pace
company, in the sale of its U.S. business travel is all glamour,
headlines, not healthcare business unit for but it gets a bit depressing when
at Freshfields that was to come.

just in the Wall $670 million, K+S AG in the the American Airlines desk in
purchase of a Latin American London starts to know you by
Street Journal salt producer for $488 million, name,” said Herman. Some
and Barron’s, and has advised private equity deals have required him to fly
firms ranging from Warburg to Europe every week, from
but also in local Pincus to KKR on transactions Wednesday to Friday, for up to
tabloids like the in the U.S. and in Europe, eight weeks at a time. And 10
including Permira’s and KKR’s days in Dubai last December
N.Y. Post.” 2.1 billion Euros leveraged will take its toll, though it is

52
CLASSNOTES

1998 2000 2001 2004

Lauren Taylor Byrne was Stephanie Bethlehem Town Justice Ryan Crystal Doolity has joined the
named managing director with DiLallo Donovan has joined the law firm of Maynard, O’Connor,
Alvarez & Marsal in December Bitter firm of fellow Albany Law Smith & Catalinoto, LLP in
2007. She lives in New York, became a alumni Greg Harris ’79 and Albany, N.Y.
N.Y., with her husband, principal at Michael Conway ’95. The new
Jonathan Schopf has joined
Gregory D. Byrne ’96. the law firm firm will be called Harris,
the firm of Pattison Sampson
of Bartlett, Conway and Donovan, PLLC.
North Greenbush Town Justice Ginsberg & Griffin P.C. in Troy,
Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes, PC
Andrew G. Ceresia has been Maureen E. N.Y., as an associate focusing on
in Glens Falls, N.Y.
elected President of the Maney has civil and criminal litigation and
Rensselaer County Bar Associa- Shannon D. Frazier has accepted been made a real estate law.
tion. In addition to his Town a position at O’Connor, partner in
2005
judicial duties, he has also O’Connor, Bresee & First PC the law firm
served as an Acting City Court in Albany, N.Y. of Hancock Noelle M.
Judge in Rensselaer, Hudson & Estabrook, Pecora has
Catherine Hedgeman, of
and Albany City Courts. LLP in Syracuse, N.Y. joined the
Generation Next, has been
Poughkeepsie
Melissa M. appointed by former First Lady 2002
law firm of
Zambri has Silda Wall Spitzer to the newly
David C. Bruffett, Jr. has joined McCabe &
been elected created Young Leaders Congress.
the Sugarman Law Firm, in Mack as an
to the part-
Paul A. Syracuse, N.Y., as an associate. associate attorney in the firm’s
nership at
Konstanty trusts and estate department.
Hiscock & 2003
has been
Barclay LLP Brian D. Pilatzke was named
promoted to Carin M. Cardinale has
in Albany, N.Y. acting public defender in St.
membership joined the firm of Towne,
Lawrence County, N.Y.
1999 in the firm Bartkowski & DiFio Kean, PC
Steptoe & in Albany, N.Y. Cheryl E. Sarjeant has joined
Alice M. Breding has accepted
Johnson. Whiteman Osterman & Hanna
a position at the Piedmont Law Peng Jiang is with Latham &
LLP. She will work in the firm’s
Firm in Latham, N.Y. David Levy has received the Watkins’ Hong Kong office.
commercial real estate group.
Kurt Clobridge Memorial He and his wife, Li Tang ’03,
Karen Folster Lesperance, a
Award for Pro Bono Service as are expecting their first child in Gregory Teresi has been
lawyer with the Poughkeepsie
presented by The Legal Project September. appointed to the position of
law firm McCabe & Mack, has
of the Capital District Women’s corporate counsel for the city
been appointed to the board Kiley D. Scott has been named
Bar Association. of Cohoes, N.Y.
of The Alzheimer’s Association’s partner at the firm of Tully
Hudson Valley, Rockland, John R. Vero has joined Union Rinckey PLLC in Albany, N.Y. Thais M. Triehy joined Hiscock
Westchester chapter. College’s Board of Trustees as & Barclay in Albany, N.Y., as an
Lovely Warren has been
the new president of the Alumni associate attorney.
Jennifer Ploetz Williams has elected a City Councilwoman
Council. He is also a member of
joined the law firm of for the Northeast District of 2006
Albany Law’s National Alumni
Mackenzie Hughes LLP in Rochester, N.Y.
Association Board of Directors. Maxine Barasch is president
Syracuse, N.Y.
Kara Wilson has been appointed and founder of the Capital
assistant district attorney, Alliance of Young Professionals,
Oneida County, N.Y. a networking vehicle for young
professionals.

53
CLASSNOTES

Michelle E. Broadbent has Andrew E. Schrafel graduated Alison Bates has a fellowship at 1936
joined Kowalczyk, Tolles & from Tsinghua University the Empire Justice Center in
Thomas T. Heney died on
Deery, LLP in Utica, N.Y., as an School of Law, in Beijing, with Rochester, N.Y.
Aug. 31, 2007, in Scarsdale,
associate attorney. a Master of Laws degree in
Jacqueline Mecchella N.Y., from complications of
Chinese Law.
Ryan T. Emery, a business and Bushwack has joined Rivkin Alzheimer’s disease. During
trust attorney at Mackenzie Jon Thayer has joined the law Radler as a first year associate in law school he worked as a
Hughes, was recently admitted firm of Block, Colucci, the firm’s Health Services report and radio commenta-
to the Florida Bar Association. Spellman & Peller LLP in Lake Practice Group. tor. He practiced law at
Placid, N.Y. Staley & Tobin in Albany
Matthew G. Favro has joined Marisa Ann Filupeit is
and then at Blake, Voorhees
the law firm of Gary L. Favro ’76 2007 employed as an attorney for the
& Stewart in New York, N.Y.
in Plattsburgh, N.Y. New York City Administration
Melissa Ashline-Heil has been He joined the National
of Children’s Services.
Julie M. Frances has joined the named City Planner for the City Sugar Refinery Company as
law office of David A. Harper, of Cohoes, N.Y. Ronney Lynne Rosenberg, the General Counsel in 1944
in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Director of Legal Compliance at and worked there until his
Jeffrey
the New York Mercantile retirement in 1971. He is sur-
Victoria Hasseler Collins has Barringer
Exchange, Inc. in New York, vived by
been admitted as a new attorney has joined
N.Y., was named Compliance four sons, two daughters, six
to the New York State and the firm of
Counsel. grandchildren and 10 great-
Vermont bars. She is employed McGlinchey
as an associate attorney with the grandchildren.
Stafford,
law firm of Weber, Perra & PLLC in 1937
Munzing in Brattleboro, Vt. Albany, N.Y., as an associate in
John Joseph Biscone, of
the business law section.
Ravena, N.Y., died Jan. 2,
2008, at his residence. He
MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS served in the U.S. Navy dur-
ing World War II and was
1991 1998 2002
very active in local war veter-
an organizations. Mr. Biscone
Kathryn (Kate) Tabner Lisa M. Penpraze announces Patrick K. Jordan and Laura was assistant county attorney
announces the birth of her son the birth of her son Bryce on M. Jordan ’03 announce the for Albany County for 32
Walker James Boardman on Dec. 6, 2007. birth of their son Finn Kelly years, town attorney for the
April 16, 2007. He is the grand- born on Jan. 5, 2008. town of Coeymans for over
1999
son of John W. Tabner ’51. 30 years and village attorney
2004
Nia Alexandra (vonHockman) for the village
1992
Chase and Christopher R. Chase Eric R. Gee and Amelia of Ravena for over 40 years.
Johnnette Traill ’92 announces were married on Dec. 1, 2007. Catalina were married on He also maintained a private
the birth of her first child August 4, 2007, in Valatie, N.Y. law practice over the years.
2000
Mikayla. Mr. Biscone is born the first
2007
Karen E. (McGrory) Mease of 10 children. He is sur-
1996
and Kevin L. Mease were Jacqueline Mecchella vived by four children, 14
Jason J. Legg announces the married on Sept. 16, 2007, in Bushwack married Michael grandchildren, 12 great-
birth of Alyse Catherine, born Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Bushwack on Sept. 8, 2007 in grandchildren, one brother
on Dec. 3, 2007. Rockland County, N.Y. and one sister. His wife
Jayme L. (Majek) Torelli passed away in 1991.
married Christopher J. Torelli
on March 17, 2007.
54
 INMEMORIAM
{ S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 }

1943 Kenneth P. Whiting Jr. died at 1953 1954

Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton,
James H. Doran died on John Robert L. Harder of Glenmont,
N.Y., on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007.
Oct. 28, 2007, at the V.A. Serbalik died N.Y., died Jun. 9, 2007, at
He served as an officer in the
Medical Center in Albany. He Dec. 26, St. Peter’s Hospital. Mr. Harder
U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Laws
was a World War II U.S. Army 2007, at St. practiced law in Albany for over
in the Pacific Theatre during
veteran, serving in the European Mary’s 50 years. In 1999 he won a
World War II. After being
Theater. He was awarded the Hospital in medical malpractice verdict of
honorably discharged from the
Purple Heart for wounds received Troy, N.Y., over $2.5 million. During World
service in 1946 he attended
during the battle of Anzio after being stricken at home. He War II he was a veteran of
Albany Law School. Mr. Whiting
Beach. Mr. Doran practiced law entered the U.S. Army Air the U.S. Navy and served on the
practiced law in Binghamton
in Albany for 40 years. He is Corps during World War II, and U.S.S. Woodward 340 in the
for 18 years in the law firm
survived by two sons, two served with the 483rd Panama Theatre. He is survived
of Travis & Whiting, until he
daughters and 10 grandchildren. Bombardment Group of the by his brothers George W. Harder
became a Broome County
15th Air Corps, serving in Italy ’54, John R. Harder ’62, and
1948 Family Court Judge in 1965. He
as a bomb loader. After the war, Thomas E. Burke as well as eight
presided as a Judge for 20 years
Eugenie Elswood Gillespie Mr. Serbalik attended Siena children and 15 grandchildren.
and thereafter continued his
died at Mercy Medical Center on College and Albany Law School.
service in Family Court as a 1956
Jan. 25, 2008, from numerous Mr. Serbalik led the Serbalik
Judicial Hearing Officer. Judge
medical problems. She graduated and Serbalik Law firm of Eugene M.
Whiting is survived by his wife,
from Albany Girls School in 1936 Mechanicville for many years. Karp died
Irene Whiting. They have four
and the University of Albany in Mr. Serbalik owned and operat- Jan. 30, 2008,
children and six grandchildren.
1942. Shortly after graduation, ed many local businesses. at St. Peter’s
Eve, as she was known to her 1950 Survivors include his wife of 61 Hospital in
friends, volunteered for the SPARS years, Leona, six children, 27 Albany, N.Y.
Cranston H.
(the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s grandchildren and 12 great Mr. Karp was
Howe died at
Reserves), spending World War II grandchildren. a member of the law firm of
his home in
as an ensign at their facility Kohn Bookstein & Karp from
Poultney, Vt., Clarence G. Simmons, Jr. of
in Manhattan Beach, N.Y. 1961–1998. He was senior
on Aug. 13, Brunswick Hills, N.Y., died
Eve married William Francis counsel with the Albany law
2007, after a Dec. 16, 2007, at St. Mary’s
Gillespie on August 28, 1948, firm of Whiteman Osterman &
long battle Hospital, Troy, after a long illness.
the same year that she earned her Hanna, LLP. Between 1961
with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mr. Mr. Simmons was admitted
J.D. from Albany Law School. and 1975, he served as adjunct
Howe served in the U.S. Army to the New York State Bar
She had a lifelong commitment professor of tax law at Albany
during World War II. He was a Association in 1953 and practiced
to volunteerism, beginning with Law School and in 1976 was
member of the 104th Infantry law, originally with his father in
the Coast Guard, the Association awarded the school’s Alumni
Division in the European the firm, Simmons and Simmons,
for the Help of Retarded Gold Medal for Distinguished
Theater. He received a Purple in Troy, for over 50 years. He
Children, American Red Cross, Service. He had lectured on tax
Heart for his wounds and a was active in local civic and
Chapter Chairman of the and estate planning topics for
Bronze Star for bravery. Mr. Howe professional organizations for
Nassau County Branch and was the New York State Bar
opened his law practice in Fair over 60 years. Mr. Simmons is
a tireless member of the Board Association and the Practicing
Haven, Vt., in January 1951. survived by his wife, Marilyn,
of the Center for Developmental Law Institute and had spoken
He practiced law until his retire- two sons, several step-children,
Disabilities in Woodbury, N.Y., before many community organi-
ment in 1998. He is survived by and six grandchildren.
until her death. Eve was the zations on legal issues affecting
his wife, Mary Jane, two sons
mother of five children and a the aging.
and two grandchildren.
devoted grandmother of seven. Mr. Karp had been a leader
in community organizations for
many years, including active
55
INMEMORIAM

participation in the United Jewish 1971 1974 2005

Federation of Northeastern
William H. Thomas J. Neidl died on Dr.
New York, B’nai B’rith Gideon
Geary, of Dec. 23, 2007, at home sur- Christine A.
Lodge, the Albany Jewish
Voorheesville, rounded by his family. Mr. Neidl Ingraham
Community Center, and
N.Y., died on began his career distinguishing of Clifton
Congregation Beth Emeth.
Dec. 17, himself as a specialist in narcotics Park, passed
He is survived by his wife Bea,
2007, after a prosecutions under Albany away on
his son Robert, his daughter Sue
brief illness. County District Attorney Sol Tuesday,
Nohai, a long-time employee of
Mr. Geary worked for Lewis Greenberg. He then moved on Aug. 14, 2007. She was born in
the Albany Law Clinic & Justice
Equipment and Cromwell to be deputy chief of Criminal Richmond, Va., Aug. 7, 1952.
Center, his brother and three
Business Forms prior to going to Prosecutions at the N.Y. State She lived with her family in
grandchildren. He also leaves
law school. While in law school, Attorney General’s Office. After Hopewell, Va., but completed
several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Geary sold real estate with working as a private defense high school in Tehran, Iran, while
1958 Picotte Realty. He later was vice attorney, Mr. Neidl worked at her father was on a business
president and general manager the Albany County Public assignment. Dr. Ingraham earned
Francis C.
of AYCO Corporation until 1974. Defender’s Office. Mr. Neidl is her B.S. degree from Mount
LaVigne died
At that time he founded, owned survived by his wife of 35 years, Holyoke College in South Hadley,
Aug. 24,
and operated Rescom Security Linda. He is also survived by Mass., and then received her
2007, at
Systems until 1995. Mr. Geary four children, two grand children, M.S. degree from Boston
Massena
then owned and operated his mother and one brother. University. In 1986, she earned
Memorial
Checkwise Payroll, LLC. He is her Ph.D. in neurobiology
Hospital. Mr. Arthur N.
survived by his wife of from the University of North
LaVigne enlisted in the U.S. Air Spellman
60 years, Dorothy, his three Carolina–Chapel Hill. She was
Force during the Korean War. died of cancer
children, eight grandchildren an assistant professor at Albany
He continued as an officer in the Aug. 20,
and two great grandchildren. Medical College from 1991 to
Air Force Reserve, retiring when 2007. He
2001, when she left to pursue a
he reached 60 years of age. Mr. Elliot J. served in the
career in law. Since 2005 she had
LaVigne opened his own law Wachs died Air Force
practiced in the area of patent
practice in Massena, N.Y., in Aug. 26, for nine years, reaching rank of
law. Dr. Ingraham is survived by
January 1960. He accepted 2007. He was captain. He was the base com-
her husband, Donald, son Ben
Governor Cuomo’s nomination as a practicing mander at the former Ketchum
and daughter Sarah, all of Clifton
an administrative law judge for attorney Corners Air Base in Stillwater.
Park, N.Y., as well as her sister
the state’s Workers Compensation associated Mr. Spellman was named
Kathleen Wagner of Lonetree,
Board in 1991, retiring in 1998. with the law firm of Ackerman, assistant public defender serving
Colo., and numerous nieces
He is survived by his wife, Dawn, Wachs and Finton in Albany. the Northern area of Saratoga
and nephews.
nine children, five stepchildren, He was a member of the N.Y.S. County later becoming the
34 grandchildren and five great Army Reserves, the Temple attorney for the Ballston Spa
grandchildren. Israel in Albany, the Albany City School System. He retired in 2003
Lodge #540 Knights of Pythias from Saratoga Springs Family
and the American and N.Y. Court. He is survived by his wife,
State Bar Associations. He is Cecile, two sons, one daughter
survived by his wife and two sons. and two granddaughters.

56
SAVE THESE DATES

June 3
Government Law Center
30th Anniversary Luncheon
The State Room, Albany, N.Y.

August 17
Day at the Races
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

September 26–28
Reunion Weekend
Albany, N.Y.

Nonprofit Organization
US Postage
P A I D
80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY
Albany, New York 12208-3494 Permit no. 161

www.albanylaw.edu