Joseph M. Hanna, a partner in Goldberg Segalla’s Business and Commercial Practice Group and chair of the law firm’s Diversity Task Force, was honored with the Diversity Award from Leadership Buffalo May 3, 2012, at the organization’s Ninth Annual Values Award Luncheon. The Value Awards honor members of the community that represent each of Leadership Buffalo’s core values: Service, Diversity, Inclusion, and Openness to Change.

Mr. Hanna was recognized for his numerous efforts to advance diversity within the legal profession and in the greater Western New York community. These efforts include founding and organizing Success in the City, an annual networking event that brings together diverse individuals to promote diversity, create mentor-protégé relationships, and facilitate recruiting opportunities in law and business. In his role as immediate past president of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, Mr. Hanna established in 2011 a diversity-focused internship program in partnership with the University at Buffalo Law School that has already placed more than 25 students in clerkships with judges and large law firms throughout Western New York.

Earlier this year, Mr. Hanna received the Diversity Trailblazer Award from the New York State Bar Association and the Legal Community Leader Award from the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York.

Mr. Hanna concentrates his practice in commercial litigation with a focus on sports and entertainment law, construction litigation, and intellectual property law. He is the founder of Bunkers in Baghdad, a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and supplying new and used golf equipment to U.S. soldiers in combat zones abroad and in wounded warriors programs across the country to aid in recreation and rehabilitation from injuries.

About Leadership Buffalo

Leadership Buffalo is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to uniting and developing existing and emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Leadership Buffalo’s goal is to increase knowledge of community issues, broaden visions, and enhance individuality and collective ability to lead. To learn more about Leadership Buffalo, visit www.leadershipbuffalo.org.