Lippes Mathias partner Donell L. Gibson, Jr. received the Outstanding Member Award from the Minority Bar Association of Western New York at the association's 2026 Annual Dinner. 

The dinner was held Friday, Oct. 9, at the Forbes Theater. 

About Donell L. Gibson, Jr. 

Donell L. Gibson, Jr. is a partner in the firm's corporate; securities; and sports, entertainment & hospitality practice teams, where he assists clients in the areas of business formation and structuring, contract review and negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, fund formations and investments, corporate governance and compliance, and other general corporate matters. Gibson also assists sports and entertainment companies and other professional sports organizations in corporate matters, including reviewing, negotiating, and preparing agreements and other documents in connection with various corporate and financial transactions. Prior to joining the firm as an attorney, Gibson participated in the firm's 2017 summer associate program. 

Before obtaining his J.D., Gibson gained valuable legal experience through a judicial internship in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York under Hon. William M. Skretny, as well as representing patients of Roswell Park Cancer Institute through the University at Buffalo School of Law's Health Justice Law & Policy Clinic. 

Gibson also held several leadership positions during law school, including president of the University at Buffalo School of Law's chapter of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), treasurer of NBLSA's Northeast Region, and managing editor of the Buffalo Public Interest Law Journal. 

Gibson currently serves as a member of the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and as president of the Minority Bar Foundation, Inc. 

About Lippes Mathias LLP 

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm ranked among the top 200 law firms in the U.S. by size, with nearly 230 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Clarence, Albany, Long Island, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.  

Year after year, Lippes Mathias is proud to be recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA. For more information, visit www.lippes.com.