Joseph M. Hanna

Joseph M. Hanna is a partner of the firm and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation with a focus on intellectual property law, construction litigation, fidelity and surety law, and sports and entertainment law.  Mr. Hanna graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law and summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In 2010, Mr. Hanna was awarded the New York State Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for his efforts to enhance diversity in the legal profession and effective leadership in community activities.  The award is presented annually to a young lawyer who has rendered outstanding service to both the community and the legal profession and has a distinguished record of commitment to the finest traditions of the New York State Bar through public service and professional activities.

As Chair of Goldberg Segalla's diversity task force, Mr. Hanna's dedication to diversity is demonstrated in his leadership in various organizations and outreach programs.  Mr. Hanna organizes and chairs Success in the City, a diversity networking event geared toward bringing together business, corporate and community leaders, corporate counsel, local politicians and members of minority bar associations to celebrate the successes and critical importance of diversity in Buffalo's developing community.  This event serves as a model for other cities aiming to promote inclusive and diverse professional communities.  In 2009, Success in the City had over 300 attendees, doubling its attendance from its inaugural event in 2008.  The Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association (BNHRA) recently honored Goldberg Segalla with the 2009 Diversity Excellence Award for the firm's many efforts of leading diversity on a national level in the legal community.

In 2007 Mr. Hanna was named DRI's Young Lawyer of the Year for Outstanding Service for his work on the organization's Young Lawyer Committee.  Mr. Hanna was awarded this distinction and honor for his commitment to diversity in organizing various minority bar programs throughout the country, authoring articles on minority attorney retention and spearheading the creation of a comprehensive database of over 500 minority law organizations which have been established throughout the United States.

Mr. Hanna is also the founder and president of Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc.  Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc. is a Buffalo-based non-profit that collects and ships new and used golf balls, clubs and other equipment to our soldiers serving in combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan and six other countries around the globe for recreational purposes.  Bunkers also distributes equipment to injured veterans throughout the United States to aid in their rehabilitation, such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Fort Drum, and Fisher House throughout the country.  The charity works with school children across the country who pack each box with balls, cards and letters they write to the soldiers.  The "Bunkers Buddies" program is especially rewarding for the soldiers, and for the students themselves.  Bunkers in Baghdad has collected over 960,000 golf balls and 25,000 golf clubs for our troops and veterans.

As a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), he serves as the Chair of the Diversity Outreach Committee, the Second Vice Chair to DRI's Young Lawyers Seminar Planning Committee, the Construction Committee Diversity Chair. He also serves on the ABA's Judicial Internship Opportunity Program's Screening Committee. Mr. Hanna was appointed to serve as the Vice Chair of the ABA's Young Lawyers Division Minorities in the Profession Committee, and is the national Vice Chair of the ABA's Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law section.

He has been named to Business First's Who's Who in Law for Entertainment and Sports Law.


Direct Dial
716.566.5447
Fax
716.566.5401
E-mail
jhanna@goldbergsegalla.com
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Practice Areas

• Defense Research Institute
• Atlantic Marketing Chair, 2007 Annual Meeting
• New York Marketing Chair, 2008, 2009 Annual Meeting
• Young Lawyers Committee
• 1st Vice-Chair, Seminar Planning Committee, 2009-2010
• Chair, Minority Outreach Subcommittee, 2006-2008
• Liaison to Fidelity and Surety Committee, 2006-2008
• Liaison to Diversity Law Committee, 2007-2008
• Diversity Committee
• Chair, Outreach Subcommittee
• Steering Committee
• Fidelity and Surety Committee
• Steering Committee
• Commercial Litigation Committee
• Liaison to Diversity Law Committee
• Steering Committee, 2006-2008 
• Construction Law Committee
• Liaison to Diversity Law Committee, 2009-2010
• Steering Committee 
• Trucking Law Committee
• Chair, Diversity Law Committee, 2006-2007 
• Pro Bono and Public Service Committee
• American Bar Association
• ABA Judicial Internship Opportunity Working Group
• ABA Judicial Internship Opportunity Screening Committee
• Section of Litigation
• Young Lawyers Division
• Vice Chair, Minorities in the Profession Committee, 2006-2008
• Vice Chair, Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law Section
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• New York State Bar Association
• Fellow, New York State Bar Foundation
• Sports Lawyers Association
• Committee, Annual Meeting Current Events 
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Erie County Bar Association
• Minority Bar Association of Western New York

• Founder, President, Bunkers in Baghdad Troop Program
  
• Chairperson, Success in the City, Diversity Networking Event
• Guest Lecturer, University at Buffalo School of Law
• Board of Directors, Minority Bar Association Foundation, Inc.
• Member, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
• Golf Tournament, Committee Member, 2007
• Member, Leadership Buffalo, (Rising Leaders - 2007)
• Licensed Mediator, Erie County Family Court and Better Business Bureau
• Coach, Mathewson-McCarthy Babe Ruth Youth Baseball League, Amherst, New York
• University at Buffalo, Mentoring Program

Publications and Presentations

• Presenter, "Networking - A Professionals Advice on How to Work the Room," University at Buffalo School of Law
• Guest Lecturer, "The Business of Sports Licensing Agreements," Loyola University Chicago School of Law, March, 2010
• Guest Speaker,  "Bunkers in Baghdad and its Affects on our United States Military Golf," Buffalo District Golf Association
• Speaker, "Being a Diverse Attorney in Western New York," Minority Bar Association Task Force, Lafayette High School, Buffalo Public School, February, 2010
• Speaker, "Diversity in the Law: Being a Diverse Lawyer in the United States," College Mont La Salle, Ain Saade, Lebanon, August, 2009
• Co-Author, "Turning a Playmaker Into a Moneymaker - The Business of Sports Product Licensing," 2009
• Co-Author, "Yes We Can't?," New York State Bar Association, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Summer, 2009; NYSBA Perspective, Fall, 2009 
• Co-Author, DRI Construction Defect Compendium, New York State Chapter, 2009
• Co-Author, "A Unique Opportunity: Evaluation Your Firm's Diversity Initiatives," For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, July, 2009
• Co-Author, "The Advancement of Minority Coaches in Professional Athletics," ABA's Minority Trial Lawyer, Spring, 2009
• Speaker, "Diversity in Western New York: The Change We Need to Continue Moving Forward," Bryant & Stratton Speaker Series, June, 2009
• Co-Author, "What Lies Beneath: The Gathering Storm of Chinese Drywall Defect Claims," For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, June, 2009
• Co-Author, "Drywall from China Leads to Glut of Claims," Buffalo Law Journal, May, 2009
• Author and Presenter, "The Sports Product Licensing Game - From Amateurs to Professionals, Everybody Wants to Play," DRI Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation Symposium, Chicago, IL, Spring, 2009
• Speaker, "Personal Education and Lifetime Success", Bryant & Stratton College Brown Bag Luncheon Series, February, 2009
• Participant, "Executives Unplugged," Buffalo Niagara Partnership, January, 2009
• Presenter, "Diversity in the Law: Where Do We Go From Here?" DRI Committee Leadership Conference, January, 2009 
• Co-Author, "Diversity Programs: Trends and Strategies for Success," ABA's Minority Trial Lawyer, 2009
• Co-Author, "Nanotechnology: Something So Little Should Not Be Allowed to Get Too Big!," 2009
• Co-Author, "The Rich Keep Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer...in the Bowl Championship," NYSBA Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Fall/Winter, 2009
• Co-Author, "Second Circuit Changes the Civil Rights Claim Game with Its Ruling in Holcomb v. Iona College," NYSBA Perspective, Fall, 2008
• Author, "Successful Strategies for Implementing an Effective Diversity Program at Your Law Firm," DRI, The Business Suit, September, 2008
• Co-Author, "Construction Defect Litigation: The Impact of the Lamar Homes and J.S.U.B. Decisions," DRI, The Critical Path, September, 2008
• Author, "Firm Diversity Starts with an Honest Assessment," Buffalo Law Journal, September 18, 2008
• Author, "Studies Highlight Need for Greater Diversity," Buffalo Law Journal, September 15, 2008
• Co-Author, DRI Trade Secret Compendium, New York Chapter, 2008
• Presenter, New York State Senate, Young Adult Professional Forum, July, 2008
• Author, "The NFL v. Cable Television: Which Heavyweight Will Be Left Standing?," DRI's Commercial Litigation Committee Publication, The Business Suit, January, 2008; NYSBA Perspective, Spring, 2008; Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, Spring, 2008
• Co-Author, "Trade Secret Privilege," DRI Young Lawyer Compendium, 2008
• Author, "Strengthening Your Firm's Commitment to its Diversity Initiative," ABA's Minority Trial Lawyer, 2008
• Author, "Assessing the Diversity Issue in the Legal Business," DRI's Young Lawyer Committee Newsletter, The Whisper, May, 2008
• Co-Author, "Can 'Ahlborn' Apply to Medicaid, Workers' Comp Liens?," New York Law Journal, May, 2008
• Author, "Acushnet Misses the Cut in its Battle with Callaway over Titleist Pro VI Patents," DRI's Commercial Litigation Committee Publication, The Business Suit, June, 2008
• Co-Author, "Breaking the Bank(ruptcy Code)? Terminating Surety and Fidelity Bonds," For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, March, 2008
• Co-Author, "Topps Turns the Lights Out on Cool Papa Bell," NYSBA Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Summer, 2008
• Co-Author, "Set-Offs Available Under General Obligations Law §15-108," New York State Bar Association Post Trial Practice and Procedures Book, 2008
• Co-Author, "Will the Change to General Obligations Law §15-108 Promote More Settlements?" New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Journal, Spring, 2008
• Co-Author, Intellectual Property, Chapter, DRI Young Lawyer's Form Book, 2008
• Co-Author, "Terminating Surety and Fidelity Bonds Upon the Insolvency or Bankruptcy of the Principal," NYSBA NY Business Law Journal, Spring, 2008
• Co-Author, "The Rangers' Gloves are Off in a Digital Tussle with the NHL," NYSBA Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Spring, 2008; Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, Winter, 2008
• Co-Author, "Frye 'Em: Jury Psychology Can Undermine Plaintiff's Expert Witnesses," For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, December, 2007
• Presenter, "International Law: A Young Lawyer's Experience," Annual International Law Student Association Symposium, University at Buffalo School of Law, November, 2007
• Co-Author, "Guide to New York Commercial Evictions," 2007
• Author, "Court Erases Cablevision's DVR Plans," DRI, The Business Suit, July, 2007
• Co-Author, "Causes of Action in Construction Defect Litigation," DRI, Construction Law Compendium, 2007
• Co-Author, "Bad Faith: The Admissibility of Expert Testimony and the Challenges that Follow," FDCC, 2007
• Co-Author, "Store Owner's Rights When Faced with Shoplifting: A State by State Review," April, 2007
• Author, "Interception! CBS Throws Into Coverage and Loses," DRI, The Business Suit, April, 2007
• Author, "Brent Jones Scores a Touchdown in a Big Victory Over CBS," Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Spring, 2007; DRI, The Business Suit, 2007; New York State Bar Association Perspective, Spring, 2007
• Author, "Fostering Diversity in the Legal Profession: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric," DRI, For the Defense, May, 2007
• Author, "Beware of the Dawg; Beware of Owner Too. Cleveland Fights for Its Beloved Dawg Pound and Wins," IPL Newsletter, A publication of The ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law, Summer 2006; Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, A Publication of the ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries, Summer, 2006; DRI's Commercial Litigation Committee Publication, The Business Suit, July, 2006
• Co-Author, "Expert's Concept: Has it Been Tested?," DRI, Daubert Compendium, December 2006
• Author, "U.S. Rhetoric Not Enough to Save the Crown Jewel of the Middle East," AnNahar Newspaper, November, 2006
• Co-Author, "Addressing the Psychology of Post-Enron Jurors - Cross Examination Techniques that Pay Off," DRI Fire and Casualty Seminar, November 2006
• Author, "Dealer Protection Laws: Shields, Not Swords," DRI's Commercial Litigation Committee publication, The Business Suit, March, 2006
• Author, "Truck Dealership Agreements: Termination Issues," Defense Research Institute E-Newsletter, 2006
• Author, "Riding the Bus: Bus Company's Duty of Care to a Waiting Customer, In Transit," Defense Research Institute E-Newsletter, 2006
• Author, "One Un-Unified Region: The City of Buffalo and its Many Competing Parts, Race and Regionalism in Western New York," 2005
• Editor, "It's Broke, Lets Fix It: Erie County - City of Buffalo Consolidated Government, A Collection of Articles Reviewing Consolidation and Regional Restructuring."

• Fellow of the New York State Bar Foundation
• Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association (BNHRA) Diversity Excellence Award
• 2010 The President's Volunteer Service Award
• 2010 New York State Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
• Certificate of Appreciation, Task Force Troy United States Division-South 84th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion
• Balad Air Base, Iraq, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support to the 332 Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Fort Leavenworth Outstanding Performance Award Presented by the Command Sergeant Major
• Fort Jackson Garrison Commander's Award for Excellence for Outstanding Performance
• 122nd Signal Battalion 2D Infantry Division "Voice of the Warrior" Award
• Fort Drum 10th Mountain Division Climb to Glory Award Presented by the Commanding General for Excellence
• Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Defending the Rule of Law Award
• Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Commanding General's Award for Uncommon Leadership
• Minority Bar Association of Western New York, Inc. 2009 MBAWNY Community Service Award
• United States Army 12th Psychological Operations Battalions Certificate of Appreciation
• United States Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation
• Business First's Who's Who in Law, for Entertainment and Sports
• New York State Bar Association featured article of the month, The NFL v. Cable Television: Which Heavyweight Will Be Left Standing?, May, 2008
• Leader Spotlight, DRI's The Voice, April, 2008
• DRI's Young Lawyer of the Year Award for Outstanding Service, 2007
• The American Bar Association's magazine, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division, named Beware of Dawg, Beware of Owner, Too the best Intellectual Property Article published in 2006

• Arabic