Two Western NY attorneys honored by federal courts

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Attorneys Peter Pullano and Robert Fine were honored Wednesday at the 26^th annual Western District of New York Federal Court Dinner.

Pullano, the managing partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, in Rochester, received the Criminal Justice Act Award, and Robert Fine, a partner at Hurwitz & Fine PC, in Buffalo, received the Special Service Award.

U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny presented the award to Fine “in recognition of extraordinary and exemplary service,” Skretny said before about 200 people who attended the event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

In addition to extensive community service work, Fine is chair of the committee that evaluates and recommends candidates for federal magistrate judge positions in the Western District.

“In this capacity Bob works to promote the quality, the integrity and the independence of the judiciary. His leadership of this committee has resulted in our district benefiting from intelligent, hard-working and fair magistrate judges,” Skretny said.

Fine also is vice chair of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s judicial screening committee for the Fourth Judicial District.

“Over the course of his long and distinguished career Bob has spent a great deal of time and energy serving and promoting and improving federal practice in the Western District of New York,” Skretny said.

Fine said he was accepting the award “with honor and humility, not only on my behalf, but on behalf of the many distinguished and capable men and women with whom I have served on the merit selection panel for magistrate judges.”

“This process is such a pleasure. It’s 100 percent pure,” said Fine, who graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Law.

“Every chief judge has said the same thing: ‘Just give us the five best names you’ve got.’ When the panel has met there has been no discussion of anything other than qualifications and capabilities,” he said.

“It’s very humbling to receive this award because all I’ve really done is what so many of you have done, and continue to do, and that’s to be honored to practice a profession that helps individuals and entities achieve their goals and, in addition, to uphold a system of justice which is the best in the world,” Fine said.

‘Most difficult cases’

Western District Chief Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. presented the Criminal Justice Act Award to Pullano.

“Peter is assigned some of the most difficult cases in this district because of his ability to decipher complex issues. Peter is also assigned some of the more difficult clients because of his calm and deliberate demeanor,” Geraci said.

Geraci read comments about Pullano from other judges in the district.

Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson said: “Peter is always willing to step up and take tough assignments. He’s hard working, smart and has a great temperament with his clients, opposing counsel and the court.”

Judge Charles J. Siragusa said: “Peter is an outstanding defense attorney. He has appeared in front of me numerous times and has always impressed me with his legal knowledge and advocacy skills. He is a consummate professional and one of the select number of death penalty-qualified attorneys. Peter truly cares about his clients, retained or assigned.”

Pullano, an Albany Law School graduate, said that when he first started practicing in federal court about 25 years ago he was mentored by Felix Lapine, who has since retired. He assisted Lapine in a couple “really big cases because I wanted to work on really big cases and I wanted to work with the best.”

And he recalled that District Court Judge Michael A. Telesca immediately made a positive impression on him.

“I drop those two names this evening because they set the standards for me. I think they set standards for many of us in those room — Felix certainly for zealous advocacy, for passion in the courtroom, and Judge Telesca for professionalism, decorum in the courtroom,” Pullano said.

“I like to think that Felix taught me how to yell in the court and Judge Telesca taught me how not to yell so much,” Pullano said.

“It is in the name of those two men, and in their honor, that I would like to very humbly and graciously accept this wonderful award tonight,” Pullano said.