Michael A. Battle, United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, is being honored with The 100 Club of Buffalo Distinguished Service Award. In addition to his achievements in the law enforcement and legal communities, he has been a longtime member and supporter of The 100 Club. His personal involvement in Project Exile and Weed and Seed programs helped curb the violence in Buffalo making the streets safer both for the public and law enforcement personnel as well.
Battle graduated from Dewit Clinton High School in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca College and earned his law degree from SUNY at Buffalo. He began his legal career with the Legal Aid Society Civil Division. From there he was recruited by US Attorney Salvatore R. Martoche to be an Assistant US Attorney in Buffalo, a position he held from 1985 through 1992. He served in the General Criminal Division, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Civil Division.
In 1992, he helped establish the Federal Public Defenders Office in Rochester with a satellite office in Buffalo. By 1995 he was appointed Assistant in Charge of the Buffalo office for New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco.
He left the Attorney General's Office in June 1996 accepting an appointment by Governor George E. Pataki to fill a vacancy on the Erie County Family Court Bench. Later that year Battle won the Democratic and Republican primaries retaining the seat for 10 years.
In January 2004, Battle was appointed by Attorney General John Ashcroft to serve on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the Attorney General on key public policy issues facing the Department of Justice.
Outside of the office, Battle has received several community awards, served on numerous boards and has been active in organizations from Leadership Buffalo to Kaleida Health to the Boy Scouts of America.
