Hodgson Russ Partner Joseph S. Brown Named to Business First’s 40 Under 40

Joseph S. Brown, a partner in Hodgson Russ LLP’s Business Litigation and Employment Litigation Practice Groups, has been honored as one of Western New York’s young leaders by being named to Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40 list.

The 40 honorees, nominated by Business First readers and selected by an independent committee, are recognized for their outstanding achievements as well as their commitment to the Western New York community. The recipients were recognized at a luncheon held November 7 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Mr. Brown’s practice concentrates on defending private and public sector employers in lawsuits involving a variety of employment and civil rights claims. He has obtained numerous summary judgment dismissals in employment discrimination and civil rights cases. As an appellate litigator, he has successfully briefed and argued several cases, including a dozen favorable decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Brown also advises clients on personnel issues and strategies to avoid employment litigation.

Mr. Brown has held a number of bar association leadership positions and serves on the board of directors for Neighborhood Legal Services and Buffalo Prep, a nonprofit that prepares promising, economically disadvantaged, under-represented students for success in college-prep high schools and higher education. In addition to mentoring law students, he has sought to promote diversity in the legal profession by taking a leading role in the firm’s diversity scholarship for Buffalo Prep students and the firm’s partnership with the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program at SUNY Buffalo Law School. Mr. Brown is also active in raising awareness and funds for Summit Educational Resources Autism Awareness Walk.