Commencement Guide - 2020 - 9

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
Rick W. Kennedy, Class of 1977

Rick Kennedy is the managing partner of Hodgson Russ, the
oldest and largest law firm in Buffalo. He joined the firm as an
associate in 1983 and became a partner in 1990. He was named
Hodgson Russ's president and chief executive officer in 2016
and managing partner in 2018.

spoken to students on numerous occasions and serves on a Legal
Studies Advisory Board at the college. Longtime supporters of
Buffalo State, Mr. Kennedy and Hodgson Russ have contributed
to a named Honors Scholarship Fund, the Burchfield Penney
Art Center, the Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic Fund, and
the annual Scholarship Gala.

Mr. Kennedy has concentrated his career on complex

Mr. Kennedy is heavily involved in humanitarian and community

environmental matters and the law governing lawyers.

work here and abroad. He is a founding member and co-chair

He has also served the firm as its co-general counsel and loss

of the board of directors of EduNations Inc., an organization

prevention partner, and as a member of its board of directors

providing free education to rural communities in Sierra Leone,

and compensation committee for two decades.

West Africa. EduNations currently operates 15 schools serving

He has received a number of honors for his professional service:
Best Lawyers in America (Environmental Law), 2014-2020;
Buffalo Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Best
Lawyers in America, 2018, 2020; Upstate New York Super
Lawyers, 2007-2019; Chambers USA: America's Leading
Lawyers for Business; Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal
"Legal Elite of Western New York Legal Leader," 2017, 2019;

nearly 3,000 students and employing approximately 130 faculty
members. In partnership with other humanitarian organizations,
EduNations also provides medical services, clean water, sanitary
facilities, solar power, churches, sustainable agriculture, and
sustainable economic and community development projects to
the communities it serves in Sierra Leone. Mr. Kennedy is also
a member of the board of directors for the Sierra Leone Cultural

Buffalo Business First Who's Who in Law (Environmental

Alliance of Western New York and Invest Buffalo Niagara, and

Law); and Buffalo Business First "First Power 250," 2019, 2020.

a member of the steering committee of the First Tee Foundation
of Western New York.

Mr. Kennedy served on the Buffalo State Alumni Association
Board of Directors from 1992 to 1995. When the Political

He graduated summa cum laude from Buffalo State College

Science Department was struggling to fund travel to a regional

in 1977 with a bachelor of arts degree, and magna cum laude

tournament for members of the Legal Studies Moot Court

from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of

Team, he provided a gift to make the trip possible. He has

Law in 1982 with a juris doctor degree.

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Commencement Guide - 2020

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