February 2, 2010
BUFFALO ATTORNEY JOSEPH HANNA WINS STATE BAR’S
2010 OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
Hanna cited for establishing important diversity
initiatives in the legal profession and for his commitment to improving
our communities
ALBANY—Joseph M. Hanna, a partner of Goldberg Segalla LLP, was
honored with the 2010 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the New York
State Bar Association during its Annual Meeting at the Hilton New York
in Manhattan. Sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section, the award is given
annually to a young attorney who has rendered outstanding service to
both the legal profession and the community with a distinguished record
of commitment to the finest traditions of the Bar through public service
and professional activities.
The section presented the award to Hanna, of Amherst, for his efforts
to promote diversity in the legal profession and his leadership in his
community. In only five years since graduating from University at
Buffalo Law School, he has made partner at his law firm, chaired
diversity networking events that have become nationwide models, and
founded a non-profit organization that provides soldiers serving in
Iraq, Afghanistan and wounded veterans at home golf equipment for
rehabilitation and recreation.
“In just a few short years, Joe Hanna has captured the
attention of senior members of the bar and has been a great role model
for young attorneys. He exemplifies the very best of our profession
through his legal work, his commitment to increasing diversity in our
profession, and his work on behalf of veterans,” said State Bar
President Michael E. Getnick (Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore,
LLP of Utica and of counsel to Getnick & Getnick of New York City)
“It is always important to take time to recognize the future
talent of our profession and we are pleased to present this award to
him.”
Hanna concentrates his practice in commercial litigation with a focus
on intellectual property law; construction litigation; fidelity and
surety law; and sports and entertainment law. He chairs his firm’s
diversity task force including organizing and chairing “Success in
the City,” a networking event that brings together business
leaders, politicians, and members of minority bar associations to
celebrate diversity in Buffalo’s developing community. The event
is now being replicated in cities across the country including
Baltimore, Maryland and Birmingham, Alabama.
“Whether it’s effectively maintaining a complex
litigation caseload, creating networking events that celebrate
diversity, or helping our troops, Joe Hanna has been simply an
outstanding role model. He does all he can to make his community better,
with incredible intelligence and unparalleled drive,” said Young
Lawyers Section Chair Tucker C. Stanclift of Glens Falls (Stanclift
Ludemann & McMorris, PC). “He is a most deserving recipient of
this award, and we are pleased to recognize his considerable
achievements.”
A Buffalo native, Hanna is the founder and president of Bunkers in
Baghdad, Inc., a Buffalo-based non-profit that collects and ships golf
equipment to soldiers serving in combat zones, as well as to
injured veterans in the United States to aid their rehabilitation. To
date, Bunkers has shipped more than 360,000 golf balls and 8,800 clubs
to Iraq and Afghanistan, and 415,000 golf balls and 13,000 clubs around
the nation. On June 26, 2009, Hanna rang the closing bell at the New
York Stock Exchange in recognition of Bunkers’ work.
Hanna is a frequent speaker on diversity issues and has written more
than 50 articles and chapters in national and state publications on
issues such as diversity in the legal profession to pieces on sports and
entertainment law. He also is the recipient of the Defense Research
Institute’s Young Lawyer of the Year for Outstanding Service for
his work in organizing minority bar programs throughout the country,
authoring articles on minority attorney retention, and spearheading the
creation of a comprehensive database of more than 500 minority law
organizations established throughout the United States. Within the State
Bar Association, Hanna is a member of the Young Lawyers Section and the
Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section.
Previous winners of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award include: Past
President Kathryn Grant Madigan of Binghamton (Levene Gouldin &
Thompson LLP); Andrew P. Sparkler of New York (American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers); David A. Kochman of New York (Reed
Smith); Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Chair Laurie A.
Giordano of Rochester (Leclair Korona Giordano Cole LLP); and John G.
Horn of Buffalo (Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP).
Founded in 1876, the 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is
the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the
largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. The State
Bar’s programs and activities have continuously served the public
and improved the justice system for more than 130 years.
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