Making the Odds Work in Her Favor

Jennifer Beckage headshot.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Jennifer Beckage has made the odds work in her favor.

In a word, Jennifer Beckage, JD ’07, BS ’99, is resilient. That trait has enabled her to succeed in the myriad professional roles and endure the personal challenges she has faced since earning two UB degrees.

Beckage began her career in business in the technology sector, when it was an emerging industry and one in which female entrepreneurs were rare. However, Beckage’s expertise in the field resulted in her becoming part owner in a highly successful technology company, which she helped run for a few years before selling it to a publicly traded company. It was during the sale that Beckage noticed an opportunity: lawyers who had an aptitude for the nuances of the specialized industry; she was determined to gain it.

In 2004 she enrolled in UB’s School of Law intending to specialize in the field, “but [at the time] there were no technology courses,” she says, adding, “Things have changed dramatically since then and UB is now highly regarded for its technical and specialized programs.” 

During her tenure practicing law with Buffalo-based firms, “there still weren’t any tech-focused legal practices, so I carved out a niche for myself.” Beckage created a data security and privacy team and crisis response team for Phillips Lytle, ultimately becoming partner before starting her own tech-focused law firm in 2018. Today, she is the founder and managing partner of The Beckage Firm, a nationally known women- and veteran-owned data security and privacy law firm.

About her time at UB, Beckage says she values the lasting relationships she developed. “My mentors in law school are still close friends who I can turn to for counsel to this day.” Whether she’s speaking to current School of Management students or working with her law clients, Beckage offers the same advice: “Keep moving, keep learning—and never be complacent.”

That mantra helped her manage a personal crisis as well. In 2020—right before the COVID-19 pandemic—she was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. After a setback in fall 2021, Beckage received good news in May 2022 when her doctor reported she no longer had indications of cancer. “With pancreatic cancer, there is a 90% chance you won’t survive past three to five years,” she says. “Because I’m used to betting on myself, and my children are in elementary school, those odds were just not acceptable. I credit my ability to beat this horrible cancer through meditation, mindfulness, gratitude and positive thinking.”

“With pancreatic cancer, there is a 90% chance you won’t survive past three to five years,” she says. “Because I’m used to betting on myself, and my children are in elementary school, those odds were just not acceptable. I credit my ability to beat this horrible cancer through meditation, mindfulness, gratitude and positive thinking.”  - Jennifer Beckage

For her firm’s brand, she chose to incorporate the cardinal, which “many believe represents someone looking out for you,” she says. Outside of running her firm, Beckage is an advocate for survivors of pancreatic cancer, frequently speaking with individuals who have been recently diagnosed. “My goal is to help them achieve better patient outcomes,” she says. “Whether I’m listening or helping navigate insurance, doctor referrals or coaching about mindfulness or alternative therapies, my desire is to be a ‘cardinal’ for others in need.” 

Published November 15, 2022