2024 Grand Honors Recipients Announced
Albany Law School will honor four accomplished alumni and one beloved faculty member at the 2024 Grand Honors Awards on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony is presented by the National Alumni Association. All are welcome to attend in person or tune in virtually to celebrate these dedicated Albany Law School community members.
About the Honorees
Trustees’ Gold Medal Award
Professor Mary A. Lynch
The Kate Stoneman Chair in Law & Democracy at Albany Law School
Professor Mary A. Lynch is the Kate Stoneman Chair in Law and Democracy. A magna cum laude graduate of New York University and a cum laude graduate from Harvard Law School, she served as an assistant district attorney in New York County from 1985-1989. She joined the Albany Law School faculty in 1989 and for the past twenty years has directed the Domestic Violence Prosecution Hybrid Clinic. During her tenure at Albany Law, she taught and directed the Disabilities Law Clinic, the Field Placement Clinic and the Post-Conviction Remedies Clinic. In 1997, while serving as director of Albany Law’s Domestic Violence Law Project, she and seven Albany Law School students won a groundbreaking clemency case for an incarcerated battered woman who killed her abuser. The range of courses she has taught includes Criminal Procedure Adjudication, Disabilities Law Seminar, Domestic Violence Law Seminar, Pre-Trial and Trial Practice Courses (civil and criminal), and Litigation Planning and Skills. Her scholarship has focused on multicultural awareness in legal education and law practice, gender bias, violence against women and legal education reform. From 2001 to 2009, Professor Lynch directed or co-directed the Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center. Albany Law School has honored her with the Excellence in Teaching Award (2014) and the Kate Stoneman Special Recognition Award for contributions to the advancement of women in the legal profession (2014). Professor Lynch has played a leadership role in the movement to modernize legal education. From 2007 to 2020, she served as the Editor and frequent contributor of the award-winning Best Practices for Legal Education Blog and from 2009 to 2020 as the Director of the Center for Excellence in Law Teaching (CELT) at Albany Law School. Nationally, she has served as co-president and on the board of the Clinical Legal Education Association (an organization with over 1200 members) and as an executive committee and board member of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Section on Clinical Legal Education. Within New York State, she served on the state bar’s Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar (LEAB) from 2011-2015 and from 2010-11 on the Future of the Legal Profession Taskforce, chairing the subcommittee on “Educating and Training New Lawyers”. Professor Lynch has served on countless statewide and community coalitions and taskforces related to over her 30-plus year career. She has been honored by the National NOW’s Capital Region division with the Making Waves award and as an Irish Legal 100 Honoree by the Irish Voice and as a Top 100 Irish-American by Irish America magazine.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Jack Withiam Jr. ’74
Senior Vice President and General Counsel with George Little Management (retired)
Withiam was senior vice president and general counsel at George Little Management until his retirement in 2011. He had general responsibility for GLM’s Legal, Finance, MIS and Human Resources departments.
Withiam received several trade show industry awards of distinction during his career and authored a legal manual for those in the meetings and events industry. He serves as a director emeritus of New York City Tourism & Conventions, the official New York City marketing, tourism and partnership organization. He is also a Life Trustee at Hamilton College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.
He has served as a member of the Albany Law School Board of Trustees since 2013. His efforts and enthusiasm were instrumental in the success of Albany Law School’s historic $33 million We Rise Together fundraising campaign—the most successful in the school’s history. Withiam played an integral role in connecting alumni and philanthropic supporters with the law school. Through his generosity and leadership, he hosted numerous dinners and receptions at the Union League Club, creating opportunities for engagement that helped strengthen the school’s network of alumni and supporters.
In, 2018 Withiam and his wife, Linda, established The Lynda and Jack Withiam Jr. ’74 Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a first, second, or third-year student in good academic standing. Withiam said, at the time of the scholarship’s establishment, “My involvement is because of the students, and getting to know them is what makes it all worthwhile,” he said. “To hear stories from scholarship recipients who in high school had no hope of going to college, but were great students and had drive, and then had this opportunity opened up to them through a scholarship—it makes the giving so worthwhile.”
Donald D. DeAngelis ’60 Excellence in Alumni Service Award
Earl T. Redding ’03
Partner with Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux, LLP
Redding is a partner with Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux LLP. He began his employment there in 2007 and became an equity partner in 2013. Practicing extensively in the field of management side labor and employment law, Earl provides guidance and counsel to many municipalities throughout the state and also litigates in trial courts throughout the State having prevailed in appellate arguments before the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals throughout his career. Prior to entering private practice, he was an Assistant District Attorney in St. Lawrence County and a New York Assistant Attorney General in the Division of State Counsel. He is a 2000 graduate of Gettysburg College and a 2003 graduate of the Law School. He was named to the Albany Business Review's ‘40 Under 40’ in 2016.
He has served Albany Law School in a number of ways since his time as a student, they include: President, National Alumni Association - 2018-2019, Member, Albany Law School Board of Trustees - 2016-2019, Member, National Alumni Association - 2010-2019, Member, Albany Law School Government Law Center Advisory Board - 2018-2019. He currently remains engaged through the Albany Law School Alumni Initiative in Mentoring program.
While he was a student, he served as Managing Editor for Production, Albany Law School Journal of Science and Technology – Vol. 13 and as a member of the Albany Law School Journal of Science and Technology – Vol. 12.
When he’s not working, Redding can be spotted working and watching his two children Jack and Lulu at ice rinks and lacrosse fields throughout the Northeast on an almost yearly basis.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Brenda T. (Baddam) Osorio ’17
Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the New York State Attorney General
Osorio currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the New York State Attorney General, where she investigates patterns and practices of misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel. Previously, she has worked in private practice at Barclay Damon LLP and as an Assistant District Attorney at the Albany County District Attorney's Office.
“My mission is rooted in upholding the law and serving the public interest, guided by the values of integrity and transparency. As a bilingual professional, I bring a diverse perspective, fostering an inclusive environment that benefits the communities we serve,” she said.
She is also an active member of the Capital Region community, serving as a board member of the Capital District Latinos, Proctors and the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
She regularly gives back to Albany Law School by serving on alumni panels, attending networking events, and other mentorship activities. She was named the Emerging Professional honoree for the Capital Region Chamber’s 2024 Women of Excellence, a recipient of the Latin American Law Student Association’s Exceptional Young Attorney Award – 2024, and named to City & State’s “40 Under 40” in 2020.
While she was a law student, she participated in the Anthony V. Cardona ’70 Moot Court Program, served as President of the Latin American Law Student Association, and served as of the Editor-in-Chief, Government Law Review – Vol. 10, and as subeditor of the Government Law Review – Vol. 9.
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Humanitarian Achievement Award
Milinda J. Reed ’99
COO at Unity House Troy
Reed is the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel with Unity House of Troy. Reed joined Unity House as an attorney in 2000. She developed and implemented a legal services program for victims of domestic violence.
The Unity House Law Project has expanded offering legal services to any eligible Rensselaer County resident who seeks legal relief. The Unity House Law Project provides free legal consultation and representation to victims of domestic violence and others who need legal help. The program offers counsel and free legal representation in civil legal matters including, divorce, custody, visitation, and child support. The staff can also assist with victims services, accompaniment and advocacy.
After leading Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services Program, Reed oversaw Human Resources and serves as the agency’s general counsel. In 2022, Reed took on the role of Chief Operating Officer, working with the leadership team to oversee Unity House’s vast array of programming. In addition to her leadership, she continues to oversee the Unity House Law Project.
While at Albany Law School, she was a student in the Domestic Violence Prosecution Hybrid clinic and on the board of the Anthony V. Cardona Moot Court Program.
"I entered law school with the singular focus of wanting to work with victims of domestic violence," she said. "It has been wonderful to see that evolve and become an essential offering within a holistic service model."
About the Grand Honors Awards
The Trustees Gold Medal, first awarded in 1966, is the highest accolade bestowed by Albany Law School and is given to an individual who has demonstrated a record of exemplary support and dedication to the advancement of Albany Law School. This award is presented by the Board of Trustees from nominations provided by the National Alumni Association Board of Directors. The distinguished list of Trustees Gold Medal honorees includes Warren M. Anderson ’40, Domenick L. Gabrielli ’36, Hon. Robert J. Sise ’49, Prof. David D. Siegel, Donald R. DeAngelis ’60, Hon. Harry J. D’Agostino ’55, Peter M. Pryor ’54, James N. Benedict ’74, E. Stewart Jones Jr. ’66, Edward P. Swyer, Daniel P. Nolan ’78, the Hon. Bernard J. Malone Jr. ’72, the Hon. Randolph F. Treece ’76, J.K. Hage III ’78, and James E. Kelly ’83. Professor Patricia Reyhan was awarded the Trustees Gold Medal in 2023.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, created in 1998 to recognize an individual’s continuous record of service to Albany Law School, is the highest honor bestowed by the National Alumni Association Board of Directors. The award criteria include, but are not limited to, outstanding professional accomplishment, sustained engagement, and continual support of Albany Law School. Past recipients include Donna E. Wardlaw ’77, Hon. Randolph F. Treece ’76, Hon. Joseph C. Teresi ’71, Hon. Mary O. Ricci ’83, Hon. Victoria A. Graffeo ’77, VADM Barry M. Costello ’81, Peter C. Kopff ’75, Frank L. Fernandez ’80, Hon. Katherine M. Sheehan ’94, Hon. Thomas J. Vilsack ’75, Lisa A. Whitney ’71, Stephen P. Younger ’82, Hon. Bernard J. Malone Jr. ’72, Hon. Michael J. Garcia ’89, Hon. Leslie E. Stein ’81, Dale M. Thuillez ’72, Hon. Ryan T. Donovan ’01, and Renee Z. Merges ’83. Robert L. Capers ’96 received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023.
The Donald D. DeAngelis ’60 Excellence in Alumni Service Award, created in 1989, recognizes outstanding dedication and commitment to alumni, to the National Alumni Association, and to Albany Law School. It was named in honor of Donald D. DeAngelis, Class of 1960, who served as the first president of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors, a member of the Albany Law School Board of Trustees, and an associate editor of the Albany Law Review, among other contributions to the law school. Recipients join a notable list of past honorees, including: Richard D. Parsons ’71, Prof. Francis H. Anderson ’47, Dean Martin H. Belsky, Daniel P. Nolan ’78, Dianne R. Phillips ’88, John J. Yanas ’53, Hon. Erik E. Joh ’70, Prof. Michael J. Hutter Jr., Berta Hernandez-Truyol ’78, Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo ’82, Hon. Bernard J. Malone Jr. ’72, Donna E. Wardlaw ’77, Richard A. Reed ’81, Robert G. Lyman ’69, William E. Redmond ’55, Mary Ann A. Cody ’83, Barbara D. Cottrell ’84, John M. Bagyi ’96, Harold C. Hanson ’66, Larry P. Schiffer ’79, Ruth E. Leistensnider ’88, Keiki-Michael Cabanos ’97, Amy J. Kellogg ’02, Robert A. Rausch ’94, Thania F. Fernandez ’85, Patrick K. Jordan ’02, and BJ Costello III ’72. William W. Pulos ’80 received the DeAngelis Award in 2023.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award, first presented in 1990, is given to alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to Albany Law School through consistent volunteerism and engagement. Previous honorees include Louis Cristo ’84, Stephen P. Younger ’82, Richard J. Miller Jr. ’89, Lee H. Wasserman ’83, Barbara D. Cottrell ’84, Gregory V. Serio ’86, Patricia E. Salkin ’88, Hon. John L. Sampson ’91, Christopher R. Lyons ’88, Hon. Glen T. Bruening ’89, Cynthia A. Platt ’89, Gina M. Stevens ’90, Monica L. Kreshik ’94, Hon. Richard M. Platkin ’93, Patricia D. DeAngelis ’94, Molly A. Wilkinson ’96, Hon. Christine M. Clark ’96, Keiki-Michael Cabanos ’97, Hon. Ryan T. Donovan ’01, Laura M. Jordan ’03, David A. Rozen ’10, Javid Afzali ’12, Matthew J. Laroche ’10, Adam W. Silverman ’08, Samantha G. Howell ’10 and Emily C. Chapman ’13 (Drazan), Renée L. Behrens ’12, and Benjamin P. Pomerance ’13. Mara D. Afzali ’17 received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2023.
The Humanitarian Achievement Award, created in 2019, recognizes the extraordinary humanitarian contributions of an individual in the community who dedicates their time and legal expertise to improve quality of life and fight indifference, intolerance, and/or injustice through providing pro bono services, engaging in activism, supporting legal education, improving the delivery of legal services, and beyond. Previous honorees include Hon. Elizabeth A. Garry ’90, M. Sherry Gold and the Gold Family, Lillian M. Moy, and Edward P. Swyer ’18H. Peter J. Glennon ’04 received the Humanitarian Award in 2023.
