Hurwitz & Fine, a Buffalo-based firm with about 50 lawyers that handles insurance defense, commercial litigation and corporate work, has named Jody Briandi its next managing partner.

Briandi, who leads the firm’s premises liability and retail and hospitality liability practices, is set to take the reins of the firm May 1. She said in an interview that she started her career there in 1997 and hopes to continue to grow its practice areas, geographic footprint and profitability.