2025 Kate Stoneman Honorees Announced
Albany Law School’s Kate Stoneman Honorary Committee is proud to announce The Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin, Kimberly C. Petillo-Décossard, Esq. ’05, and President and Dean Emerita Alicia Ouellette ’94 as 2025 Kate Stoneman honorees.
The committee previously announced the late Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Miriam M. Netter '72 Kate Stoneman Award.
This year’s Kate Stoneman Day will be held on Wednesday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m.. It will feature a keynote speech by the Hon. Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, who will speak on behalf of Judge Abdus-Salaam’s legacy. To register, click here.
Albany Law School's Stoneman Awards are presented to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to seeking change and expanding opportunities for women within the legal profession. The awards are in honor of Kate Stoneman, Class of 1898, the first woman admitted to practice law in New York State and the first female graduate of Albany Law School.
Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin
Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin (Ret.) retired from the bench in December 2005 after more than 20 years as a Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department. She was the first woman appointed to that court in 1985 and became the first woman to serve as its Presiding Justice in 1989. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of New York State from 1982 to 1985, making her the first woman to hold that role, where she oversaw the administration of over 400 judges and 4,700 personnel.
Her career also included serving as a trial judge, handling over 2,500 cases in New York City between 1980 and 1982. Justice Ellerin's judicial experience covered a broad range of legal areas, including breach of contract, construction, employment, insurance, medical malpractice, and more.
Justice Ellerin has received numerous prestigious awards, including the ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award and the Robert B. McKay Award from NYU School of Law. She has also been involved in various professional organizations, such as serving as Chair of the New York State Task Force on Women in the Courts and a faculty member for the International Law Program at Hofstra Law. Currently, she serves as Senior Counsel at Alston & Bird and remains an influential figure in the legal community.
“There is no single person who has done more to advance the interests of women in the law than the Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin. No one. There is no one more deserving of our respect, admiration, and gratitude for her career in the law. This is true not only because of her remarkable achievements but also due to her longstanding work behind the scenes advocating for, mentoring, and supporting other women in finding their own professional paths forward. To say that Justice Ellerin is widely known is a tremendous understatement, and her name is said with a mix of awe and reverence,” said Hon. Elizabeth Garry ’80, Presiding Justice, State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, in her nomination of Justice Ellerin.
“Throughout her distinguished career, Judge Ellerin demonstrated unwavering dedication to the principles of fairness, compassion, and equal justice under law while breaking down significant barriers for women in law. Her leadership paved the way for women to hold leadership positions in the judiciary. Her opinions and rulings continue to serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking justice and equality,” said Hon. Llinét M. Rosado ’97, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, in her nomination.
Both Justice Garry and Justice Rosado are past Stoneman honorees.
Kimberly (K.C.) Petillo-Décossard '05
Kimberly (K.C.) Petillo-Décossard is Co-Head of White & Case's Global Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, based in the firm's New York office. She advises public and private companies, boards, founders, and family offices on complex mergers, acquisitions, governance, compliance, and strategic transactions across various industries, including biotechnology, energy, financial services, healthcare, and technology. Known for her practical and responsive approach, Kimberly is recognized as a leading dealmaker, earning accolades such as Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer in 2022 and being named a Mergers & Acquisitions MVP by Law360 in 2021.
Beyond her legal practice, Petillo-Décossard is a dedicated leader in diversity and education. She founded the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) at Albany Law School, chairs its advisory committee, and serves on several boards, including Albany Law School's Board of Trustees. Petillo-Décossard is also a frequent speaker and author on M&A and corporate governance, contributing to industry publications and panels, and she actively supports women and children’s health initiatives.
Petillo-Décossard has received numerous prestigious honors, including recognition in The American Lawyer's inaugural list of Northeast Trailblazers, and Crain's New York Business's "Notable Women in Law" for several years. She has also been listed in Lawdragon's The 500 Leading Lawyers and IFLR1000's list of highly regarded women leaders.
“Because of Kate Stoneman, women began to feel more empowered to pursue their law school aspirations. Because of K.C., students across all genders have begun to engage in conversation, action, and advocacy for women to strive for their goals in leadership, and feel supported to thrive while there. While speaking at our recent reunion event, K.C. spoke directly to the men in the room to become active supporters of the women in their lives. She strongly encouraged them to become active participants and vocal advocates for women’s leadership and empowerment in all facets of life for the women they care for. From 1L students to alumnae to community members and friends, she also encouraged each of us in the room, to be bold in our goal-setting, fearless in our networking, and dedicated to our own wellness. Her motivational presence left us all striving for more in each of very different paths towards success,” wrote Bria Barnes-Coleman, Director of the Women’s Leadership Initiative & Community Engagement, Emily Bello ’25, 3L WLI Co-Chair, Lila Dodge ’25, WLI 3L Co-Chair, and Madison Marshall ’26 WLI 2L Co-Chair in their nomination.
“As the founder of the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) at Albany Law School, K.C. has shared her vision for a thriving program that empowers women law students to succeed in practice areas that are traditionally male-dominated, such as corporate law. Her dedication to creating opportunities for the next generation of female attorneys is unparalleled, and without her leadership, the WLI simply would not exist,” said Mary Walsh Fitzpatrick, Assistant Dean, of the Career and Professional Development Center, and Rosemary Queenan, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in their nomination.
President and Dean Emerita Alicia Ouellette '94
President and Dean Emerita Alicia Ouellette is a prominent legal educator and scholar who became the Jordan D. Schnitzer Dean at Lewis & Clark Law School in January 2025. Prior to this role, she served as the 18th President and Dean of Albany Law School for nine years, where she spearheaded a transformative strategic plan, expanded online graduate programs, and led a successful $33 million capital campaign. Ouellette's leadership helped secure significant donations, including a $15 million gift that established the school’s Edward P. Swyer Justice Center. Ouellette has taught courses on constitutional law, bioethics, and lawyering, among others, and has contributed significantly to the fields of law and bioethics.
Ouellette is an expert in health law, bioethics, disability rights, and children’s rights, with a focus on human reproduction. Her scholarly work includes the book Bioethics and Disability: Toward a Disability-Conscious Bioethics (2011), along with numerous articles in leading law and bioethics journals. She has presented her research at esteemed institutions, including Yale School of Medicine and the United Nations in Geneva.
Before entering academia, Ouellette practiced law as an assistant solicitor general in the New York State Attorney General’s Office and clerked for the Honorable Howard A. Levine at the New York State Court of Appeals. She was a magna cum laude graduate of Albany Law School and also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Law Review.
“Alicia’s Stoneman-worthy path started well before she became Dean. As a non-traditional law student who was a mother while attending law school, she has served as a fierce supporter of law students who are parents, and ensures they have the support they need to thrive during their time at law school. Alicia’s advocacy for inclusivity in the law for all parents continued while serving as a law clerk at the New York State Court of Appeals and was beautifully documented in an Albany Law Review article by her mentor and former “boss” Judge Howard A. Levine,” wrote a group of more than 30 Albany Law School faculty and staff in a collective nomination.
“Her vision and leadership building consensus across constituencies propelled Albany Law School during her tenure as President and Dean. During this time she welcomed me, and many others, to Board service greatly expanding the reach of the Board across any number of metrics, including, importantly, gender diversity. With her warmth and grace, she encouraged all voices and was instrumental in the adoption of Albany Law School’s Core Values which joined our Mission Statement as guiding principles for all we do,” wrote Dianne Phillips ’88, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and past Stoneman honoree.
