Share Your Success
What’s New?! Please submit information on your personal and professional updates for the College of Law’s Class Notes.
Class notes submitted between July 2023 – July 2024
1950-1958
Ronald (Rinaldo) John Buttarazzi L’58 passes away
Ronald (Rinaldo) John Buttarazzi, 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at his home in Fairport, NY where he lived with his beloved wife Mary for over 50 years. Born in Rochester, NY, he graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1951, Le Moyne College in 1955 magna cum laude, and from Syracuse University School of Law in 1958 summa cum laude. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the Syracuse University Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. He also served in the United States Army Reserve.
Ronald practiced law for over fifty years. In addition to his private practice, he served as Perinton Town Justice for nearly 20 years, City Court Judge in Rochester from 1980 to 1986, and as the New York State Assistant Attorney General from 1995 to 1999. He was known for his compassion, fairness, and ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.
Click here for his full obituary: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/rdc187378
1970-1979
Richard W. Cook L’75 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Richard W. Cook L’75 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Cook is a partner at the Firm and leader of the Banking & Finance Practice and a member of the Corporate Practice.
James A. Coniglio L’77 selected for Lawyer of the Year 2024
Underberg & Kessler LLP is proud to announce that James A. Coniglio L’77 was selected by The Best Lawyers in America® as recipient of the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” award in his practice area, Municipal Law in Geneseo, NY.
1980-1989
Joseph M. DiOrio L’81, Esquire Merges Practice
Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC (PLDO) today announced that Joseph M. DiOrio L’81, Esquire has merged his financial institutions practice, The Law Office of Joseph M. DiOrio, Inc., with PLDO to create the firm’s new Banking and Creditor’s Rights practice group. Attorney DiOrio will serve as Chairman of the practice and collaborate with PLDO’s team of skilled lawyers to provide comprehensive legal representation to financial institutions throughout the region, including national, regional and local banks, bank holding companies, thrifts and other financial services providers.
Daniel B. Berman L’82 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Daniel B. Berman L’82 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Berman is a partner in the Firm’s Litigation Practice, with more than 40 years of experience litigating cases throughout New York State. His practice is focused on the litigation and resolution of business and professional disputes for clients ranging from global banking institutions to individuals operating local small businesses.
Hon. Deborah H. Karalunas L’82 Appointed Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial District of NY
The New York court system announced July 29th, the appointment of Judge Deborah H. Karalunas L’82, a central New York trial court judge, as the administrative judge overseeing operations of trial courts in the six counties of the Fifth Judicial District. Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas’ appointment of Karalunas takes effect July 10.
A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, Karalunas was first elected to the Onondaga County Supreme Court bench in 2002. She was re-elected in 2016 and has served as the presiding justice of the county’s Supreme Court–Commercial Division since 2007.
Prior to becoming a judge, Karalunas was a partner at Bond, Schoeneck & King of Syracuse. She began her legal career as a law clerk to Chief Judge Howard G. Munson of the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York.
David A. Lerner L’83 selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Plunkett Cooney is pleased to announce that David A. Lerner L’83 was selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for outstanding professional excellence. Lerner was selected for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
Hon. James P. Murphy L’84 Appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Judge
The Honorable James P. Murphy L’84 was appointed as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Outside the City of New York, effective June 5, 2023. The appointment was made by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas, with the consultation and approval of Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson and in consultation with the Presiding Justices of the respective Appellate Divisions.
Justice Murphy was elected as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court in 2004, and reelected in 2018, to serve the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Jefferson, Lewis, and Herkimer Counties. He was previously elected three times to the Onondaga County Legislature where he served with distinction and rose to the leadership position of Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. In 2019, Justice Murphy was appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks as Administrative Judge in the Fifth Judicial District.
Justice Murphy is a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse, New York, Saint Lawrence University, and Syracuse University College of Law. He was in private practice for 20 years with an emphasis on civil litigation and municipal law. For over 10 years, he served as a full-time and part-time Assistant District Attorney for Onondaga County.
Alan J. Pierce L’84 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Alan J. Pierce L’84 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024 and as a 2024 The Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” in the Syracuse, New York metropolitan area for Appellate Practice. He is a partner in the Litigation Practice and Leader of the Appellate Practice. He has more than 30 years of litigation experience, concentrating on appellate practice, insurance coverage, defamation and civil and commercial litigation.
Anna E. Lynch L’86 selected for Lawyer of the Year 2024
Underberg & Kessler LLP is proud to announce that Anna E. Lynch L’86 was selected by The Best Lawyers in America® as recipient of the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” award in her practice area, Elder Law in Rochester, NY.
Brian P. O’Shaughnessy L’86 to receive 2023 Paul Michel Award
IPWatchdog is pleased to announce that Brian O’Shaughnessy L’86, Partner, and Chair of IP Transactions & Licensing Group at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of The Paul Michel Award. He will be presented with the award on Sunday evening, September 17, 2023, at IPWatchdog LIVE 2023.
The Paul Michel Award, created with the blessing of Chief Judge Paul Michel (CAFC, ret.), is awarded annually to someone within the IP community who has selflessly served the best interests of the industry and its members as a respected leader, mentor, and advocate on behalf of fairness and for the best interests of the intellectual property system.
Brian is uniquely deserving of this award, having served LES USA-Canada for two decades in various roles, as President, on the Board of Trustees, and since 2018 as Senior Vice-President for Public Policy. Brian has spent significant time and energy proselytizing for stronger patent rights and fairer licensing and tech transfer, testifying numerous times on the Hill, writing op-eds, and traveling around the country.
Timothy P. Murphy L’89 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Timothy P. Murphy L’89 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Murphy is the Firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Murphy has over 30 years of experience representing clients in product liability, motor vehicle, construction accident, medical malpractice, negligence, premises liability, toxic tort, and commercial cases in State and Federal Court.
1990-1999
John P. Sidd L’91 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John P. Sidd L’91 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Sidd is a partner in the Firm’s Corporate and Real Estate Practices. Mr. Sidd concentrates his practice on business law, commercial real estate, and economic development matters.
John F. Corcoran L’93 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John F. Corcoran L’93 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Corcoran is the leader of the Firm’s Education and Municipal Practices. He has extensive experience representing management in labor and employment litigation with an emphasis on the public sector, collective bargaining as the employer’s chief negotiator, labor arbitrations, education law and municipal law, including fire service matters.
Jonathan M. Dunitz L’93 appointed to Justice Tax Credit Committee
Verrill attorney Jonathan Dunitz L’93 was recently appointed a member of the State of Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Access to Justice Tax Credit Committee. He will serve until December 31, 2027. Dunitz’s law practice is comprised of energy, utilities and telecommunications; food and beverage law; insurance coverage and litigation; commercial litigation; appeals; and mediation. Dunitz also serves as the President Elect of the Maine State Bar Association.
Dr. Thomas Murphy G’87, Ph.D.’95, L’97 to be published
Dr. Thomas Murphy G’87, Ph.D. ’95, L’97 will have an article published in Bombay Brokers Forum, Mumbai, India (New York Stock Exchange Equivalent).
Adam Leitman Bailey L’95 authors book
Adam Leitman Bailey L’95 has written a book, Real Estate Titles, that was published by the New York State Bar Association.
Rhonda L. Maco L’95 G’95 appointed Director of Special Programs at NCC
Rhonda L. Maco, Esq. is the newly appointed Director of Special Programs in the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Affirmative Action at Nassau Community College. In her role she will drive institutional awareness and appreciation of diversity to enhance and foster a culture of inclusion. She joins Nassau Community College from the Suffolk County Department of Law’s Municipal Law Bureau, where she served as a Principal Assistant County Attorney.
Previously, Maco was the Director of Special Projects with the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs. Since 2009 she has run her own firm, the Law Offices of Rhonda L. Maco, PLLC. She has worked as an adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College and Monroe College.
Maco is the author of A Yearn to Discern and A Year to Discern, both written with the intent to demonstrate the power and usefulness of discernment in daily life. To supplement the books, she created the podcast, The Power of The Pivot: Leading With Discernment. With these accolades in front of her, Maco is a sought-after guest lecturer/speaker in the areas of empowerment, leadership and entrepreneurship.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Tuskegee University, a Masters of Science in Public Relations from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Brian J. Butler L’96 Elected Chair of Bond, Schoeneck & King
Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC is pleased to announce the membership has elected Brian J. Butler L’96 as Chair of the firm’s Management Committee effective Jan. 1, 2024. Butler, a litigation attorney, currently serves on the firm’s management committee and is the managing member of the firm’s Syracuse office.
John G. Powers L’96 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John G. Powers L’96 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Mr. Powers is a Partner in the Litigation Practice and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. He routinely appears in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration, on complicated civil matters to advocate for the interests and causes of his clients, which include municipalities, business corporations, universities, and individuals.
Joseph T. Mancuso L’97 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Joseph T. Mancuso L’97 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024 and selected as a 2024 The Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” in the Syracuse, New York metropolitan area for Corporate Law. Mr. Mancuso is a partner in the Banking & Finance and Corporate Practices. He is a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Mancuso represents clients on matters involving business formations, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, commercial transactions, and other general corporate matters.
Christopher Burns L’99 honored as 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyer
Henson Effron is extremely proud to announce that Christopher Burns L’99, Estate Planning Trust and Probate Law, has been honored as a 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyer and Rising Stars Honoree.
2000-2009
Kimberly Wolf Price L’03 named Chief Strategy & Diversity Officer
Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that Kimberly Wolf Price L’03 has been named the firm’s Chief Strategy & Diversity Officer. This role serves as an advisor to the Management Committee and its Chair as well as to the Chief Operating Officer. She will work closely with the General Counsel’s office, committee chairs, as well as other firm leadership and administrative departments to implement the firm’s strategic initiatives. In this role, Wolf Price will focus on the key areas of strategic planning, attorney professional development, diversity and inclusion, innovation and growth, fostering a learning culture within the firm and strategic talent acquisition.
Wolf Price, resident in Bond’s Syracuse office, joined the firm in 2020 as Attorney Professional Development and Diversity Officer. In that role, she worked to advance the firm’s goals and has overseen the diversity efforts of both attorneys and staff.
Wolf Price is an attorney, admitted to practice in New York, and remains engaged in pro bono work. She began her law career at Clifford Chance US LLP as an associate in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department. She has extensive experience in higher education serving as an assistant dean, program director and instructor at the law school level. She has served on the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA ) Committee for DEI for many years and is currently the chair of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section.
Jenny Holsman Tetreault L’03 named Vice Chair of United Way Worldwide’s women United Global Leadership Council
Longtime Valley of the Sun United Way board member and Women United Steering Committee member Jenny Holsman Tetreault L’03 has been named vice chair of United Way Worldwide’s Women United Global Leadership Council, a philanthropic group of more than 55,000 women in over 200 communities around the globe dedicated to creating lasting change that lifts up communities.
In addition to her many United Way roles, Holsman Tetreault is the vice president and associate general counsel for TPI Composites, a global wind-blade manufacturer with locations throughout the United States, Europe, China, India and Mexico. She also serves on the boards and committees for a wide range of community organizations.
In recognition for her work in the community, Holsman Tetreault was named a 2021 Corporate Organization Advocate of the Year by the Phoenix Business Journal, one of the 2020 Most Influential Women in Business by AzBusiness Magazine, was a 2018 Spirit of Philanthropy recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and was recognized as one of the 2017 Top 10 National Attorneys Under 40 by the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Mary C. King L’04 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Mary C. King L’04 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Ms. King is a partner in the Trusts & Estates, Elder Law & Special Needs, and Family Business Succession Planning Practices. She focuses her New York and Florida practices in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, estate and gift taxation, elder law, guardianships, and special needs planning, entity formation, and buy/sell and cross-purchase agreements.
Carrie Sarhangi Love L’06 joins Faegre Drinker as Partner
Faegre Drinker announced today that Carrie Sarhangi Love L’06 has joined the firm as a partner in the litigation practice in Philadelphia. Love is a litigator primarily serving clients in the health and life sciences industry, including some of the country’s largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies. She also has experience serving on secondment as Chief U.S. Compliance Officer for a pharmaceutical client. Love has helped corporate and individual clients win or favorably resolve cases involving federal and state enforcement agencies and private plaintiffs. A skilled and seasoned trial attorney, Love offers strategic compliance counseling when unwanted government attention arises, such as high-stakes government enforcement, internal investigations and litigation.
Heidi L. Wickstrom L’07 honored as 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Heidi L. Wickstrom L’07 has been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Ms. Wickstrom is an attorney at the Illinois law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard where she focuses her practice on personal injury and medical malpractice.
Robert C. Sanfilippo L’08 appointed Partner
Weber Gallagher is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Sanfilippo L’08 to partner effective September 1, 2023. Robert C. Sanfilippo represents clients in insurance defense matters including construction site accidents, product liability, personal injury, and automobile liability matters. Managing cases from inception to resolution, Robert has a breadth of experience representing clients before state and federal courts across New Jersey and New York.
2010-2019
Jaime J. Hunsicker L’11 selected for Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Jaime J. Hunsicker L’11 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024. Ms. Hunsicker is a partner in the Elder Law & Special Needs, Tax, Family Business Succession Planning and Trusts & Estates Practices. Ms. Hunsicker counsels and assists clients with a wide range of estate planning matters including wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable asset preservation trusts, supplemental needs trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and living wills.
Robert J. Shoemaker L’11 honored as 2023 Forty under 40
Rochester Business Journal has selected Robert “Bo” Shoemaker L’11, Deputy County Attorney, Monroe County Law Department, as a 2023 Forty Under 40 honoree.
Adam J. Willman L’17 selected for Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2023
Lead attorney Adam J. Willman L’17 has been recognized by Super Lawyers by being named to this years prestigious ‘Rising Stars’ list as a top rated Criminal Defense lawyer in Upstate New York. Congrats to Willman on earning this distinction that only 2.5% of lawyers earn annually.
Alexander Berlucchi L’18 selected for The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for 2024
Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Alexander Berlucchi L’18 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for 2024. Mr. Berlucchi is an associate in the Firm’s corporate and healthcare practices. He focuses on assisting clients with matters related to healthcare law, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and labor law issues.
2020-2029
Payne R. Horning L’21 named Empire State Counsel honoree
Barclay Damon announces Payne Horning L’21, associate, has been named an Empire State Counsel® honoree by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). The Empire State Counsel Program recognizes NYSBA members who, during the prior year, performed 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services.