Lippes Mathias LLP today shared that it has established a scholarship and clerkship award in partnership with the University at Buffalo School of Law to honor the legacy of William E. Mathias II, a former partner and namesake of the firm, who passed away on November 29, 2025. 

The William E. Mathias II Class of ’71 Scholarship is rooted in three guiding pillars: integrity, respect, and leadership. Each year, representatives from Lippes Mathias and the University at Buffalo School of Law will collaborate to interview candidates to identify the student who best embodies the character and professional standards Mathias championed throughout his career. Brian J. Bocketti, a member of the firm's executive committee and a mentee of Mathias who worked very closely with him, will lead the selection committee representing Lippes Mathias, along with Summer Associate Program Director Anthony M. Kroese and Director of Attorney Engagement Danielle Dodman. 

The named candidate will have an interest in finance or corporate law, high academic standing, strong and demonstrable leadership acumen, and excellent communication skills. The selected recipient will be awarded a 2L clerkship at Lippes Mathias. 

“Bill’s mentorship and the example he set as managing partner were central to my own development and the growth of this firm,” Kevin J. Cross, Lippes Mathias’ managing partner and chairman, said. “He had a deep fondness for inspiring and assisting future generations of lawyers, which is why this partnership with UB Law is so fitting. We want to honor his dedication to junior lawyers by supporting those who lead with the same integrity and principles he practiced every day.” 

About William E. Mathias, II 

William E. Mathias, II, known as “Bill” professionally and “Willy” to many of his close friends, was born in Buffalo on April 17, 1945. He attended the Campus School and graduated from Nichols School in 1963. A lifelong athlete, he played soccer, squash, and tennis at Nichols. He left Buffalo only to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he met his wife of 58 years, Jane, and received his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School. After college, he served in the United States Army Reserve and earned his law degree from the University of Buffalo in 1971. 

Mathias spent more than four decades practicing law. He focused on corporate transactions, combining his law training with the passion for business he developed at Wharton. He started at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel and became the firm’s youngest managing partner. In 1983, he moved on to a smaller firm of eight lawyers. Lippes Mathias now has over 230 lawyers spread across 17 offices, and Bill was a key driver of the firm’s growth. He served as the firm’s managing partner for many years and was renowned for both his wise counsel and his commitment to the firm’s junior lawyers and professional staff. He remained with the firm until his retirement in 2018. He also served on the boards of Elmwood Franklin and Nichols, on UB Law’s Dean Advisory Council, as the chair of the Law School’s Annual Fund, and as counsel to the board of Independent Health. 

About Lippes Mathias LLP 

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with 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, family offices, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals. 

Ranked No. 204 on The National Law Journal’s NLJ 500 list of the largest law firms in the United States by attorney headcount, Lippes Mathias is proud to be recognized year after year by The Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News – Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA. For more information, visit www.lippes.com.