Class Notes

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Walter L. Meagher, Jr. has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021.  He has also been selected for inclusion in "Upstate New York Super Lawyers" for 2020. Mr. Meagher is a partner in the Litigation Practice and has over 40 years of experience in the areas of personal injury, premises liability, automobile liability, construction accidents, and products liability litigation. He is a former Managing Partner of the Firm.  

Nicholas D'Ambrosio Jr., Member at Bond, Schoeneck & King, was selected for inclusion in the 2018 Upstate New York Super Lawyers in the category of employment and labor, and the 2019 Best Lawyers in America in the categories of employment law-management; labor law-management; and litigation-labor and employment.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Marion H. Fish has been selected for inclusion in “Upstate New York Super Lawyers” for 2020.  Ms. Fish is a partner in the Trusts & Estates, Family Business Succession Planning, Tax, Corporate and Elder Law & Special Needs Practices. 

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Alan J. Pierce has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021.  Mr. Pierce is a partner in the Litigation Practice and Leader of the Appellate Practice. He has also been selected for inclusion in "Upstate New York Super Lawyers" for 2020. Mr. Pierce concentrates his practice in the areas of appellate practice, insurance coverage, defamation and civil and commercial litigation.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Timothy P. Murphy has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021.  He has also been selected for inclusion in "Upstate New York Super Lawyers" for 2020. Mr. Murphy is the Firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Executive Committee. 

Members of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Board unanimously elected Judge Teana Watson Chairwoman of the Board on Feb. 3. She is the first African-American and female to be elected as the Fort Bend Juvenile Board Chair. The juvenile board includes all of the sitting District, County Court at Law Judges and the County Judge. It serves as the board of directors of “Juvenile Justice” in Fort Bend County. 

Tim Green, a New York Times-bestselling author, former NFL defensive end, former Fox Sports broadcaster, and attorney with Barclay Damon LLP, has published his 39th book and the third book in his sports-based trilogy, Baseball Genius: Grand Slam, co-authored with Derek Jeter, available in stores and online now. In addition to being a bestselling author and retired defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons, Green is an attorney with Barclay Damon, where he has been integrally involved for the past 20 years in the development and growth of the firm's client base, particularly in energy, intellectual property, and national insurance coverage litigation. Green is recognized as a lead point of contact for the firm's largest energy and utility clients, including numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John G. Powers has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021 and as a 2021 The Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” in the Syracuse, New York metropolitan area for Products Liability Litigation – Defendants. He has also been selected for inclusion in "Upstate New York Super Lawyers" for 2020. Mr. Powers is a Partner in the Litigation Practice and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee.     

Henson Efron is pleased to announce attorney, Christopher Burns, has been honored by the Minnesota State Bar Association for his consistent commitment to pro bono service. In 2012, the MSBA created the North Star Lawyer Program as a way to recognize members who provided 50 or more hours of pro bono service in a given calendar year. In conjunction with Pro Bono Week 2020 (October 26-30), the MSBA created a new designation – Pro Bono All-Stars – to acknowledge members who have participated for seven or more years. Christopher has been designated a North Star Lawyer since the program’s inception. His contributions exemplify the Firm’s commitment to our community. 

Tara N. Karch Cross ’02 formed a new firm, Addelman Cross & Baldwin, PC, with offices located at 5680 Main Street, Buffalo, NY. Areas of practice include Professional and Medical Malpractice, Trucking and Transportation, Insured and Self-Insured Litigation, Licensure Investigations and Board Actions, and Commercial Litigation. 

Manning Gross + Massenburg LLP (MG+M) is pleased to announce that it has elevated Karina E. Murski to partner effective Jan. 1, 2021. Murski's practice areas include toxic tort defense and general litigation. She has significant experience representing large corporations and insurance carriers in matters involving toxic tort, products liability, premises liability, public utilities law, labor law, insurance coverage, and commercial litigation. She received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wyoming.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Mary C. King has been selected for inclusion in “Upstate New York Super Lawyers” for 2020.  Ms. King is a partner in the Trusts & Estates, Elder Law & Special Needs, and Family Business Succession Planning Practices.  

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Brad Gallagher has been elevated to partner. Gallagher is a member of the Health Care and Health Care Controversies Teams and the White Collar & Government Investigations and Commercial Litigation Practice Areas. He is based in Albany.

Brett Smiley is editor-in-chief of Sports Handle, a publication that focuses on the U.S. sports betting industry -- business, legal matters, legislation, and consumer behavior. Smiley co-founded the website in May 2017 and launched it in October 2017 after three years at FOX Sports, where he covered the NFL and MLB. Smiley graduated with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and Syracuse University College of Law in 2007. Upon graduation, he practiced commercial litigation as an associate at the law firm Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher in New York City, before leaving in 2009 to pursue his passions for a career in writing, reporting, and sports. Sports Handle was acquired jointly in November 2018 by daily fantasy sports leader RotoGrinders and the gambling publication US Bets. Smiley remains at the helm of Sports Handle, while also contributing to business development. and other websites in the network. https://sportshandle.com/ 

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC is pleased to announce Adam J. Osterweil has been named partner in the firm's Estate Planning & Administration Group. Adam J. Osterweil is a partner in the Estate Planning & Administration Group and is based in New York. Recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, Mr. Osterweil focuses on estate, gift, and income tax planning, as well as estate and trust administration. Mr. Osterweil helps clients achieve their estate planning goals by drafting customized wills and trust agreements, providing insights based on his thorough knowledge of nuanced issues of trusts and estates laws. He also works with executors and trustees in all aspects of estate and trust administration. In addition, he advises public and private charitable organizations on establishing tax-efficient structures, securing tax-exempt status, and other related matters. 

Andrew Wright was elected partner at Hodgson Russ, where he focuses his practice on state and local tax matters.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Jaime J. Hunsicker has been selected as an “Upstate New York Super Lawyer – Rising Star” for 2020.  Ms. Hunsicker is Counsel in the Elder Law & Special Needs, Tax and Trusts & Estates Practices. Ms. Hunsicker assists clients with trusts, estate planning and retirement planning matters.     

Lowenstein Sandler LLP is pleased to announce that Michael Kaplan has been promoted to partner. Kaplan, member of the Business Litigation, Products Liability & Specialty Torts, and White Collar Criminal Defense groups, has significant experience in litigating all phases of bankruptcy matters and in fiduciary litigation, products liability, tort, and dram shop cases. He handles a wide array of civil litigation and appeals in both state and federal courts across the country and is experienced with U.S.-based and international arbitrations. In addition to his civil practice, Michael represents individuals and corporations in white collar criminal defense matters involving allegations of fraud and tax evasion. He conducts internal investigations and defends entities in investigations and civil proceedings brought by regulatory authorities. Michael earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Temple University. 

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Brittany E. Lawrence has been elevated to partner. Dwyer is a member of the Mass & Toxic Torts and Torts & Products Liability Defense Practice Areas. She is also a recruitment liaison for the firm’s Summer Associate Program and a member of the firm’s Diversity Leadership Team, Associate Integration Committee, and Women’s Forum. She is based in Buffalo.

Brian T. Sinsabaugh (Mineola), an associate in the Land Use and Zoning Practice Groups at Certilman Balin and based in the Hauppauge office, was named to the 2020 New York Metro Rising Stars list of Super Lawyers. He handles an array of matters including land use and zoning and contracts and lease agreements. Mr. Sinsabaugh earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. From Clarkson University’s School of Business, he earned his Master of Business Administration and his Bachelor of Science with a major in International Business Management. 

Hodgson Russ is pleased to announce that Brandon Cottrell has joined the firm as a Senior Associate in its Real Estate practice. Brandon is based in the Rochester and Buffalo offices.

Brandon concentrates on commercial real estate and finance transactions. He represents clients on a local and national basis in the acquisition, disposition, financing, developing and leasing of shopping centers, office, industrial/manufacturing and warehouse space, mixed use and multifamily properties. Notable development projects that Brandon has assisted on include casinos, golf courses/country clubs, hotels/resorts, solar and wind farms and student housing. Brandon represents borrowers and lenders in various financing transactions that include construction and permanent mortgage financing, asset based lending, equity and other mezzanine financing, bridge loans, credit facilities and equipment leases.

Brandon graduated first in his class at Syracuse University College of Law, and is a cum laude graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Daniel Nugent joined Bond, Schoeneck & King as an associate attorney in the firm's employee benefits and executive compensation practice.

Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC, is pleased to welcome new associate attorney, William Hutcheson. Hutcheson works from the firm’s Philipsburg office where he supports several practice areas. Hutcheson began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable H. Matthew Curry, J.S.C. in Warren County, New Jersey. During law school, he enrolled in numerous courses that incorporated international cultural immersion sessions. This allowed Hutcheson to travel to France, Germany, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland to gain new perspectives on the law. Additionally, he worked with Syracuse University College of Law’s low-income taxpayer clinic and served as a mentor to international students pursuing their LLM degree in American Law. Prior to law school, Hutcheson worked in the investment industry where he was a hedge fund and real estate analyst overseeing more than $4 billion in investments. He graduated from Syracuse University College of Law and earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg.