Class Notes

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Richard W. Cook has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023 and voted the 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" for in Banking and Finance Law in Syracuse.  Mr. Cook is a partner at the Firm and leader of the Banking & Finance Practice and a member of the Corporate Practice.  

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.

Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that Hermes Fernandez has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for Administrative/Regulatory Law in Albany, New York. Fernandez was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” for Health Care Law in 2013 and 2020. Only one lawyer in any practice area in a city is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” 

Fernandez is co-chair of the firm's health care practice. He practices primarily in the areas of health law, administrative and regulatory law, related litigation and governmental representation. Fernandez has handled numerous matters in health care fraud and abuse in the courts and in administrative hearings and represents providers before and against the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the Office of Professional Disclosure.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Robert Barrer: Prof. Liability: Defense has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that Dennis C. Brown has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law in Fort Myers, Florida. Brown was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” for Tax Law in 2013 and 2016. Only one lawyer in any practice area in a city is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” 

Brown concentrates on trust and estate planning for high net worth individuals and families. He utilizes a wide range of sophisticated techniques to protect assets, minimize taxes and provide practical approaches to accomplish his clients’ long term financial security and wealth transfer goals. Brown is experienced in designing compensation plans, handling mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and international transactions. He also works with closely held business clients to develop tax-efficient estate plans including family compensation planning, ownership transition planning, management succession planning and liquidation planning.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Jeff Dove: Bankruptcy: Business has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Christine A. Amalfe, Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Group of Gibbons P.C., was honored by the Essex County Bar Association (ECBA) with its 2022 Samuel S. Saiber Professional Achievement Award. Ms. Amalfe was recognized by ECBA at its Annual Installation & Awards Reception, held on May 2 at the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. 

At Gibbons, Ms. Amalfe chairs the firm’s very active Employment & Labor Law Group, which includes lawyers across four of eight Gibbons offices. In her legal practice, she handles some of the most high-profile litigations and investigations in New Jersey, while also providing advice and counsel to help clients avoid outcomes like these. Her clients include some of the world’s best-known companies representing industries of notable regional significance. She additionally represents several colleges and universities in the state in some of the most noteworthy investigations and litigations in higher education.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Bill Foster: PI - Products: Defense, has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Timothy P. Murphy has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023.  Mr. Murphy is the Firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Murphy has over 30 years of experience representing clients in product liability, motor vehicle, construction accident, medical malpractice, negligence, premises liability, toxic tort, and commercial cases in State and Federal Court.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Jim Domagalski: Business Lit has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Rick Capozza: Environmental has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Michael Sciotti: Employment & labor has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

​Motley Rice medical attorney Donald Migliori has been ranked for the second time as USA-Nationwide: Product Liability: Plaintiffs, Band 3 in the 2022 Chambers USA guide. Don Migliori is co-lead counsel for In re Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation, and attorney Jonathan Orent is lead counsel for In re Atrium Medical Corp. C-QUR Mesh Products Liability Litigation.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John F. Corcoran has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023.  Mr. Corcoran is the leader of the Firm’s Education and Municipal Practices.  He has extensive experience representing management in labor and employment litigation with an emphasis on the public sector, collective bargaining as the employer’s chief negotiator, labor arbitrations, education law and municipal law, including fire service matters.

Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller, P.C., is pleased to announce that Rita M. Lauer has joined the firm as a senior associate. Rita is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Employment and Workforce Management group and brings a wide range of skills and experience to meet the needs of our clients.

“Rita is a highly respected and experienced attorney with a bright future and brings over twenty years of experience practicing law,” said Ronald A. Sollish, executive committee member and chairman of the firm’s Corporate and Employment practice. “She is a wonderful complement to our practice group.”

Rita has industry expertise servicing car dealerships, recreational vehicle dealerships, vehicle manufacturers, boat manufacturers, boat dealerships, recreational vehicle manufacturers, sporting goods manufacturers, municipalities, and non-profit entities.  She has defended both dealership and manufacturing clients in regulatory matters and in litigation, especially regarding warranty and consumer protection claims. Rita has unique expertise in negotiating and drafting regulatory governance agreements for clients and responding to administrative or governmental matters for her clients. She counsels clients on employment and workforce management issues.

A State Bar of Michigan member, Rita is admitted to practice before the State of Michigan Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Before joining private practice, Rita served as an attorney for the City of Saginaw City Attorney’s Office and a litigation clerk for the New York State Attorney General’s Office.

Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that Cressida A. Dixon has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates in Rochester, New York. Dixon was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” for Trust and Estates in 2021. Only one lawyer in any practice area in a city is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” 

Dixon counsels high-net-worth individuals and family groups in sophisticated wealth and estate planning; estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxation; income taxation of estates and trusts; and succession planning for closely held and family businesses. Her clients range from successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives to multigenerational families and their entities. She works closely with clients at every stage of wealth planning to implement tax efficient wealth transfer and preservation strategies that are customized in order to achieve their business, personal and philanthropic goals.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Buster Melvin: Employment & Labor has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that John G. Powers has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023.  Mr. Powers is a Partner in the Litigation Practice and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee.   He routinely appears in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration, on complicated civil matters to advocate for the interests and causes of his clients, which include municipalities, business corporations, universities, and individuals.  

Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that Laura H. Harshbarger has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law – Management in Syracuse, New York. Harshbarger was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” for  Employment Law – Management in 2014 and 2017, and in 2019 for Labor Law – Management. Only one lawyer in any practice area in a city is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” 

Harshbarger counsels employers engaged in a wide variety of industries, including higher education, public school education, manufacturing, service and financial sectors, nonprofits and health care. With a practice that includes all aspects of labor and employment law, Laura counsels employers with respect to day-to-day human resources management. Harshbarger also advises colleges and universities with respect to Title IX, accommodating students with disabilities pursuant to Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and represents colleges and universities in Office for Civil Rights investigations.

Hancock Estabrook, LLP is proud to announce that Joseph T. Mancuso has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023.  Mr. Mancuso is a partner in the Banking & Finance and Corporate Practices. He is a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee.  Mr. Mancuso represents clients on matters involving business formations, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, commercial transactions, and other general corporate matters.

Henson Efron is proud to announce attorney Christopher Burns has been recognized as a 2021 North Star Lawyer by the Minnesota State Bar Association. 

Barclay Damon announces Brian Gerling, of counsel, has joined Barclay Damon’s Trademarks, Copyrights & IP Transactions and Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Areas and Cybersecurity Team. His primary office location is Syracuse.

Gerling has nearly two decades of intellectual property and commercial litigation experience. He represents a variety of technology clients from start-ups to well-established companies in matters involving intellectual property commercialization, protection, preservation, and, if needed, litigation. He also serves in outside general counsel capacity for companies requiring assistance with corporate transactions, data privacy and security compliance, and economic development projects.

In addition to his legal practice, Gerling is the executive director of the Innovation Law Center at Syracuse University College of Law. In this role, he oversees the center’s applied learning course—the Innovation Law Practicum. He is also an adjunct professor at Syracuse University College of Law, where he teaches intellectual property and technology law courses.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Chris Harrigan: Employment Lit: Defense has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list.

In February of 2022, Denise was appointed by the City Council to serve as Associate Judge on the City of Decatur Municipal Court.  She sits on the bench in a part time capacity and continues to run a successful family law practice in Decatur, Georgia serving all of metro-Atlanta.  

Schenck Price Smith & King LLP Partner Mark Silver (Class of 2000) has been selected by The Product Liability Lawyers (www.productliability-lawyers.com) as the one recommended attorney in their guide in New Jersey for 2022/23.  The Product Liability Lawyers undertakes a lengthy nomination, research and selection process of leading product liability attorneys across the country and invited Mark to be featured in their guide as the exclusive advisor in New Jersey for the next 12 months. 

September 22, 2022—Barclay Damon announces Brian Rich, partner, has joined Barclay Damon’s Commercial Litigation and Restructuring, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Areas. His primary office location is New Haven.

Rich has over two decades of experience trying bench and jury trials to conclusion in both state and federal courts. He regularly represents some of the world’s largest banks and financial institutions as well as local and regional clients in a variety of business and commercial disputes, including contract claims, real estate litigation, contested commercial and residential foreclosure actions, mortgage resolution, unfair business practices actions, and fraud and lender liability claims.

Rich said, “I’m excited to join a firm with such an accomplished bench of attorneys. I’m most looking forward to helping the Commercial Litigation and Restructuring, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Areas grow and offer more services to their clients as well as cross-selling my experience with attorneys in other offices and practice areas.”

Brian Whiteley, Commercial Litigation Practice Group leader, said, “Brian adds considerable depth to the firm’s commercial litigation and restructuring, bankruptcy, and creditors’ rights work. Our firm is known for having particularly skilled litigators, and Brian’s experience is commensurate not only with the needs and expectations of the firm’s clients but also with the firm’s strategic growth plan.”

Lizz Acee, managing director of the firm’s major market offices in Boston, New Haven, and New York City, said, “With the addition of Brian, Barclay Damon’s major market offices have experienced a combined 25 percent increase in attorneys over the past year. This is part of our continued, strategic effort to expand the services we offer clients both across our platform and on a national scale. We’re thrilled to add Brian to the firm.” 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named William J. Simmons, Esq., to its Central New York Regional Advisory Board. William J. Simmons, Esq., is the executive director of Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA), responsible for upholding the housing authority’s mission and vision of providing quality, safe and affordable housing, and the overall empowerment and self-sufficiency of its residents.

Simmons received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 2004 and has been a member of the New York State Bar Association since 2006. He also earned a New York state real estate broker’s license in 2019.  A native of the Bronx, NY, Simmons has lived in Syracuse since 1975, was the director of airport services at Syracuse Hancock International Airport from 1986-1994, served as board commissioner on the Syracuse City School Board from 1989-1997, and was a 5th District Syracuse Common Council member from 2000-2008. He currently serves as board trustee member for the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), board president of the New York State Public Housing Authority Directors Association (NYSPHADA), board director for Center for Community Alternatives, board director for the University Hill Corporation, board president for Dunbar Association, and board director for CenterState CEO. Simmons resides in Syracuse.

Chambers USA 2022 directory listed Ekin Senlet, partner at Barclay Damon, as a notable practitioner in the field of Energy: State Regulatory & Wholesale Electric Market.

Bousquet Holstein PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Julia J. Martin has been elected by its members to serve on the firm's Board of Managers. Julia joined the firm in 2009 and is a member of the firm's Brownfield Practice Group. She was elected as a Member of the firm in 2019. Julia advises clients on a broad range of tax and business matters, from planning and compliance, through the audit process, to controversy and litigation. Julia’s practice focuses on corporate income, franchise, gross receipts, sales and use, and personal income taxes.  In particular, Julia focuses her practice on economic development tax incentive programs such as New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), Opportunity Zones, and others. Julia works with clients to understand the impact of various tax incentive programs and how various programs can work together to support development.  Julia analyzes project financial information and remedial alternatives to help clients seek the full allowable amount of available credits under applicable law, guides clients and their accountants through the process to claim the credits, and successfully navigates audits on those claims. She is Member at Large of the New York State Bar Association Environmental & Energy Law Section Executive Committee and Brownfields Task Force. Julia is also a member of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association and previously served as President and Treasurer of that group.  Julia also serves on the Board of Trustees of Syracuse Stage.  Prior to joining the firm, Julia participated in the firm's Summer Associate Program in 2008. She earned her Juris Doctor in 2009 from Syracuse University College of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University in 2006.

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

Bousquet Holstein PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Joshua S. Werbeck has been elected by its members to serve on the firm's Board of Managers. Joshua S. Werbeck joined Bousquet Holstein in 2010.  He was elected as a Member of the firm in 2016.   He is a member of the firm's Real Estate, Business, and Liquor Licensing and Compliance Practice Groups.  In his real estate practice, Josh represents individuals, businesses, and non-profits, including developers, lenders, homeowners associations, and condominium boards.  In business matters, Josh works with business owners and leaders in general business, transactional, and employment matters.  In liquor licensing, Josh has experience representing restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries, universities, hotels, grocery stores, and other venues on all aspects of liquor licensing, including initial applications to the State Liquor Authority, corporate changes, alterations, compliance matters, and disciplinary proceedings.  Prior to joining the firm, Josh participated in the firm's Summer Associate Program in 2009.  Josh was recognized with the Central New York Business Journal’s 2016 “Forty Under 40” award.  He has been a Super Lawyers Rising Star for several years.  He was a member of the Leadership Greater Syracuse Class of 2017.  Josh served on the Board of Directors for Sarah's Guest House, Inc. in Syracuse for several years, including service as President of the Board.  Josh is a 2010 cum laude graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Siena College graduating magna cum laude in 2007.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Brittany Lawrence: Business Lit has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Rising Stars list.

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Kayla A. Arias: Business Lit has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Rising Stars list.

Evan H. Krinick, Managing Partner of Rivkin Radler LLP, is pleased to announce that Edwin Maldonado has joined the firm as Associate. Edwin Maldonado, of Seaford, NY, has joined the firm as an Associate in the firm’s Insurance Fraud Practice Group, resident in the Uniondale office. Before joining the firm, Edwin served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office where he handled all the phases of prosecution including criminal investigations, grand jury presentment, pre-trial evidentiary hearings, and trials. Edwin received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. 

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

Barclay Damon is pleased to announce that Danielle Katz: Business/Corp has been selected to the 2022 Upstate New York Rising Stars list.

Barclay Damon announces Nick Constantino, associate, has joined Barclay Damon’s Insurance Coverage & Regulation and Torts & Products Liability Defense Practice Areas. His primary office is Syracuse.

Constantino concentrates his practice on all aspects of insurance coverage and insurance defense matters. He has experience defending claims arising out of New York State Labor Law, medical malpractice claims, motor vehicle accidents, insurance coverage disputes, and premises liability claims. Prior to joining Barclay Damon, Constantino was an associate at a firm in Syracuse and gained additional experience through a legal externship and a student attorney position.

Bousquet Holstein PLLC is pleased to welcome Associate Attorney Robert J. Kawecki to the firm's Ithaca office.

Robert has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group focusing his practice on residential real estate sales and purchases. Robert works with clients through the complexities and common pitfalls of residential real estate transactions and helps guide them through the process to close their transaction in a timely and satisfactory manner.

Robert graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law in 2019, where he also earned the College's Estate Planning Certificate. During his time at Syracuse Law, Robert gained valuable practical experience through the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, as well as the Central New York Externship Program with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York. He earned his B.A. in Political Science and American History, cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. 

Originally from North Carolina, Robert now lives in Lansing, just outside Ithaca, NY. 

Barclay Damon announces Payne Horning has been admitted to the New York State Bar. The former law clerk is now an associate at the firm. Horning is a member of the Labor & Employment Practice Area. He graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law, and his experience includes serving as a Barclay Damon summer associate and a summer intern for the City of Syracuse Corporation Counsel. He is based in the firm’s Syracuse office.

Bousquet Holstein PLLC is pleased to welcome Diana G. Rogatch to the firm.

Diana Rogatch has joined the firm's Brownfield Practice Group. She successfully passed the Uniform Bar Examination in April 2022, and she is currently admitted to practice law in Colorado. She will be admitted to practice law in New York State in January 2023. 

Diana comes to Bousquet Holstein with a passion for connecting with clients. Diana is returning to the firm after taking part in the 2021 class of Summer Associates where she assisted with tax, business, and litigation matters. Her experience includes working as a litigation paralegal for a mid-size firm in Boston, MA for two years and with Judge Frederick Scullin in the Northern District of New York.

Diana graduated summa cum laude from Suffolk University in 2016 with a B.A. in History and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. She graduated cum laude from Syracuse College of Law in 2021. While attending law school, Diana earned an M.B.A. from the Whitman School of Management along with her law degree in 2021.