About 160 people attended the FCBA’s 22nd annual dinner at the Syracuse Marriott Downtown on December 11, 2025.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes announced the recipient of the Hon. George H. Lowe Award, given to an attorney who demonstrates excellence and commitment in taking on pro bono assignments from the Court. This year’s awardee was Robert P. Bogdan, a Sackets Harbor-based attorney, in recognition of his pro bono representation of indigent clients charged with misdemeanors and violations at the Fort Drum military base. Chief Judge Sannes noted that Mr. Bogdan could have submitted vouchers to the Court seeking payment for his services, but chose not to.
Incoming FCBA President Brian Butler presents outgoing President Eric Nordby with a surprise award, in recognition of Nordby’s two years as president, at the conclusion of the FCBA’s annual dinner on December 11, 2025, in Syracuse.
Don Boyajian presented the Jeffrey E. Hurd Professionalism Award to Gabe Nugent, who serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Syracuse University. The award, named after a past FCBA President who passed away at the age of 57, recognizes outstanding members of the federal bar and the FCBA who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, civility, and integrity in their practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Mr. Nugent, the first recipient of the award, was a litigation partner at Barclay Damon for many years prior to joining Syracuse University full time as its General Counsel in 2023. He thanked his family – including wife, children, and parents, who were all in attendance – as well as Jeffrey Hurd’s family, including Jeffrey’s father, Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd. In connection with the award, the FCBA makes a contribution to a charity of the award recipient’s choice; Mr. Nugent announced he had chosen A Tiny Home for Good for the donation.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. delivered remarks celebrating the FCBA’s founding (his remarks can be read here), and then, as a surprise, announced a new award, the Doreen A. Simmons Founder’s Award for lifetime achievement, which was fittingly given to Doreen Simmons, who chaired the committee that created the FCBA and served as its first president.
Gabe Nugent, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Syracuse University, accepts the first-ever Jeffrey E. Hurd Professionalism Award at the FCBA’s annual dinner on December 11, 2025, in Syracuse.
At the annual meeting preceding the dinner, the FCBA honored this year’s Scullin Scholars, scholarship awardees selected from the district’s three law schools: Sarah McDonald (Albany Law School), Jessica Bertolini (Cornell Law School), and Valerie Pietra (Syracuse University College of Law). The FCBA also honored Tiffany Johnson, this year’s recipient of the Hon. Norman A. Mordue Law Scholarship, given each year to a Syracuse University College of Law student.
The FCBA also continued its tradition of presenting a monetary gift to the U.S. Military Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund at Fort Drum.
At their annual meeting, FCBA members voted to elect the following officers and trustees:
- President Brian J. Butler
- President-Elect Suzanne O. Galbato
- Vice President/Central New York John G. Powers
- Vice President/Capital Region Zachary C. Oren
- Secretary Michael G. Langan
- Treasurer Gabe M. Nugent
- Assistant Treasurer Michael Barnett
- Trustees:
- David G. Burch, Jr.
- Angelo D. Catalano
- John D. Cook
- Mary L. D’Agostino
- Ryan T. Donovan
- Benjamin W. Hill
- Amanda W. Kuryluk
- Suzanne M. Messer
- Deborah E. Moore
- Julie A. Nociolo
- Janelle A. Pelli
Please be on the lookout for an email with a link to all of photos from this great evening!
And special thanks to our sponsors – Barclay Damon, Bond Schoeneck & King, Dreyer Boyajian, Harris Beach Murtha, Hacker Murphy, Hinckley Allen, and the Porter Law Group.
Both photos above by Charles Wainwright