Orchard Park Lawyers

40 years experience, the last 25 of which have been devoted exclusively to matrimonial and family law, including appeals, division of retirement plans, and high net worth matrimonial matters. I have been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs for local and NYS Bar Association programs as well as for judges.

My practice pattern at the Cimasi Law Office is focused on DWI, criminal defense, and traffic matters (e.g. speeding, mechanical violations, unlicensed operation, etc.) in courts across Western New York. I also represent clients on parole violations and landlord-tenant matters. I am a highly meticulous and diligent practitioner who seeks to provide dedicated service to each client, regardless how big or small the matter. I am always available by phone, and there is no fee for initial consultations.

I also teach courses in sociology and legal studies to undergraduates at the University at Buffalo ("UB") and Buffalo State College....

With nearly three decades of experience practicing Bankruptcy law and Social Security law in Buffalo, Paul Pochepan is able to help consumers facing financial hardships and disabled individuals and their dependents. He has helped many Western New York consumers navigate the bankruptcy system under chapter 7 or chapter 13. He also helps Buffalo-area residents apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or appeal Social Security Administration decisions denying, reducing or revoking benefits. He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge regarding the multiple medical impairments afflicting disability claimants and dealing with the medical profession to secure the...

Jed Dietrich Esq. has settled 31 cases for 1 Million Dollars or more since 1999.

Jed Dietrich Esq. has personally obtained over 150 Million Dollars for the injured since 2007.

Jed Dietrich Esq. has been named a New York Superlawyer from 2010 to the present.

Jed Dietrich Esq. is a highly competitive person who was a 14 time National Champion in the sport of rowing.

It is Jed’s passion to represent the seriously injured to the very best of my ability.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C., has been established to FIGHT for our clients to obtain MAXIMUM COMPENSATION for every person that we...

Ms. Cronauer is an attorney working with the firm’s Litigation department. She has experience in the full range of client representation including Supreme Court and Appellate oral arguments, complex motion and appellate brief production and representation of clients in mediations, arbitrations and trials.

Ms. Cronauer attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in political science and a minor in economics. At Saint Vincent College, she played varsity tennis and was a George Washington Fellow. Following her undergraduate education, she attended Ohio Northern University College of Law from which she graduated...

Michael T. Benz is an associate attorney in the firm’s litigation department; handling personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense cases. His motto and practice is to prepare every case as though it will be a jury trial; and he is confident that his trial preparation is the key to getting the best result for his clients.

Mr. Benz brings vast trial experience with him to HoganWillig, having tried hundreds of cases as an Assistant Defender at the nationally recognized Defender Association of Philadelphia, before starting his own private criminal defense practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a native “Buffalonian” he...

Nina Juncewicz, Esq. has 25 years experience in representing those internationally seeking to obtain physical access to the United States market for commercial work and/or family reunification. Her experience was developed early as an outstanding scholar for the agency formerly known as INS at the U.S/Canadian border, and later in its Buffalo District Office’s litigation Department. This experience brought her first-hand knowledge of the technical nuances of complex U.S. immigration law and the government adjudication process which experience she uses for her client’s benefit. She later practiced business and family Immigration in a statewide corporate law firm before opening her...

A skilled trial lawyer, Craig Small has been practicing law since 1995, and in the State of New York and Buffalo, New York since 1998. Craig Small's law firm, Small Law Firm, focuses its attention on representing injured people. Small Law Firm helps with injuries caused by car accidents, nursing home abuse, nursing home pressure or bed sores, fall-downs, biking, boating, and traumatic injuries including brain injuries, paralysis, fractures, and herniated discs. Craig Small has settled significant cases and has won verdicts throughout Western and Central New York. Small Law Firm is a small law firm...

Michael A. Ponterio is a founding partner of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Since 1985, Mr. Ponterio has represented families who have suffered injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos. He also practices in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, defective products and motor vehicle accidents. Mr. Ponterio has dedicated his practice to securing justice for clients who have suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Since 1985, Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford has obtained over one billion in settlements or verdicts on behalf of the firm’s clients. Mr. Ponterio has been representing people suffering from mesothelioma caused by asbestos for...

John Ned Lipsitz is a founding partner of the Buffalo, New York law firm of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. He has represented workers suffering from industrial diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, since 1985. From 1981 through 1985, Mr. Lipsitz served on the clinical faculty of the Buffalo Law School of the State University of New York, where he instructed students in professional legal representation of consumer debtors, occupational safety and health law, constitutional rights and habeas corpus, and where he taught Research and Writing and Legal Ethics. Between 1979 and 1981, he was a staff attorney at the...

Described by his clients as an attorney of the “highest quality”, Jeff DeFrancisco, Esq. has made a career achieving top results in his field of medical malpractice and personal injury. A few examples of his many great achievements include: PARALYSIS: $10,000,000 jury verdict following a 3-week trial against 3 defense lawyers for a case where an individual became paralyzed due to medical malpractice. BRAIN INJURY: $17,500,000 in payments: $3,000,000 cash; $12,000,000 expected payout between a lump sum payment and lifetime monthly payments to an individual who sustained a brain injury; and $2,500,000 in guaranteed lifetime payments to the child of the...

Chris O'Brien is a seasoned Buffalo personal injury lawyer and one of the founding partners at O'Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. He is one of WNY's most experienced and successful trial lawyers. He has built a reputation over thirty years of being client-focused. Having taught both locally, nationally and internationally, Chris brings the latest and most effective trial tactics to every case, resulting in more than 98% of his cases settling before trial. He never charges for an initial appointment and takes the time to explain the law to all of his clients.

Sandra K. Cassidy practices in HoganWillig’s Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Criminal Defense departments, she brings with her extensive experience as a former criminal prosecutor for the Erie County and Genesee County District Attorney’s office. Ms. Cassidy also served as legal counsel for the famous environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, investigating complaints of chronic cancers in two separate towns in New York, one of which involved the cross-border dumping of illegal toxins. Prior to joining HoganWillig, Ms. Cassidy also practiced law in the Western New York area for several years under her established law practice. Ms. Cassidy has a passion for guiding young...

Pia Perfetto is an associate attorney at HoganWillig, primarily focusing her practice in the Corporate and Business Practice Group. Ms. Perfetto is also a member of the litigation team who initiated numerous constitutional challenges pertaining to the State of New York’s COVID-19 governmental restrictions. Ms. Perfetto graduated from Canisius College and the University at Buffalo School of Law in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Prior to joining HoganWillig as an attorney, Ms. Perfetto clerked with the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, was a legal intern for the Kinship Care Legal Services Program with the Center for Elder Law and Justice, and worked for...

Chair of the largest residential real estate department in Western New York. Extensive third party relocation, REO, commercial and residential lending representation. Recently closed a $3 Million dollar refinance, and a $965,000 commercial purchase secured by properties in Western New York and Florida. Experienced in time share, zoning, land use, condominiums and cooperatives, real estate negotiations and litigation. Voted for inclusion in "Best Lawyers in America" for the past four years.

I was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo, NY. After graduating high school, I served in the United States Marine Corps, and then became a City of Buffalo Police Officer. I completed my B.S. and J.D. while working full-time as a police officer. I left the department in 2005 to start practicing law. After a long stent with a local law firm, I partnered up with another attorney from the same firm to form Richmond Vona, LLC. Our firm extensive experience handling asbestos cases (Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer), as well as other...

Jessica Peraza is Counsel working with the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. She focuses her practice on Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid and Long-term Care Planning, and Wealth Management. As a law student, she interned for the Hon. Barbara Howe in Erie County Surrogate’s Court and worked in the Public Benefits Unit of Neighborhood Legal Services. Her previous experience includes residential foreclosures, public and private sector labor law, contract negotiations, probate matters, third party credit collections, and representation of clients in administrative hearings and arbitrations. Ms. Peraza attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York where she graduated with a...

The first-generation son of immigrants, Matthew Borowski is a knowledgeable and compassionate lawyer. He has been featured on news media outlets including CNN, NBC, ABC, and The Buffalo News for his asylum and refugee work. Matthew is licensed in both the U.S. (New York) and Canada (Ontario). Borowski Witmer Immigration Lawyers has locations in Buffalo, NY and in Springfield, VA. He is well-versed in immigration matters including deportation defense, family and business immigration including NAFTA/TN visas and rehabilitation/waivers, federal criminal defense, and post-conviction relief. He appears before Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, New York state courts and...

Amanda Weber is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Corporate & Business Law, as well as Estate Planning & Elder Law Departments, with an emphasis on business formation, contracts, long-term care planning, and trusts. Ms. Weber obtained her Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island, and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Niagara University. Amanda has been admitted to practice law in New York, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. Before joining Tiveron Law, Ms. Weber worked for a local WNY firm focusing on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Veteran Disability Appeals. Amanda is...

Rebecca Kujawa concentrates her practice in Litigation and Appellate Practice. Rebecca has experience in various types of civil litigation in state court as well as with administrative agencies. Rebecca assists in many aspects of the litigation process, including pleadings, discovery and motion practice. Rebecca received her JD from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, where she served as a Publications Editor for the Buffalo Law Review and was awarded the Order of the Coif (highest academic achievement). As a law student, Rebecca also gained extensive insight into civil litigation as a student law clerk to...

Were you injured in an accident? Did your loved one die due to the negligent or wrongful actions of another person or party? Turn to the personal injury team at Richmond Vona, LLC for reliable legal representation and compassionate, one-on-one counsel. Based in Buffalo, the firm serves clients throughout Western New York. Over the course of more than two decades of combined experience, the firm’s partners have secured more than $150 million for their clients, including over $17 million in jury verdicts. They have the skills, tenacity, and resources to advocate for you.

Because Richmond Vona, LLC takes on fewer...

For over thirty-five years, initially as a physician and surgeon and subsequently as an attorney representing injury victims, I have worked to help individuals overcome the physical, emotional, and financial devastation inflicted by serious injury. It is a privilege for me to represent seriously injured individuals and their families against insurance companies, corporations, companies, doctors, hospitals, and individuals who were negligent. No matter how extensive or advanced the medical treatment, an individual and his or her family is never the same after trauma alters their lives. Additionally, I am called upon to assist physicians as personal counsel in lawsuits against them,...

Jathniel Shao is a lawyer in New York, Chicago, Cleveland, and Manila. Originally from Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, Jath grew up bouncing between Asia and America and speaks Hokkien, Mandarin, and Tagalog fluently. Jath received his BA from Beloit College in Wisconsin, and his JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was a founding board member of the Asian Law Student Association (ALSA) and the Filipino American Lawyers Association of Ohio (FALA Ohio). At the same time, he was a law clerk here at Herman Legal Group. Prior to rejoining Herman Legal Group as Of...

Jillian Stenzel is an associate attorney with the Real Estate Law Department, focusing her practice on Residential Purchases & Sales, Mortgage Lending, and Title Insurance. Jillian’s past legal experience has been varied, but she became skilled at transactional law while clerking for a solo real estate practitioner. Ms. Stenzel provides legal guidance for real estate closings for private home sales and adeptly represents lending partners when closing real estate contracts. Ms. Stenzel obtained her undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Sociology from SUNY Buffalo State College and her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law. While at...

Robert P. Hamilton, Jr. is an attorney in HoganWillig’s litigation department. Mr. Hamilton’s legal training began when he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007 and attended the Navy Justice Legal School in Rhode Island. While in the Marines, he served as a litigation paralegal in the busiest legal department in the military. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his hard work and dedication while working with the Legal Service Support Section on Camp Pendleton. After finishing his contract with the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Hamilton completed his bachelor’s degree from Ashford University before receiving...

Lois is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University School of Law and graduated from McMaster University, summa cum laude. While at Hofstra, Lois participated in the Criminal Prosecution Practicum Clinic. Here, Lois gained hands-on experience with numerous types of offenses, including misdemeanor violations, and traffic infractions. Lois is particularly focused on assuring all clients receive continuous and comprehensive communication throughout their legal proceedings. She is licensed to practice law in New York.

Brooke Barron is an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law and Estate Planning & Administration Practice Groups.

Ms. Barron obtained her B.S. in Business Administration from SUNY Geneseo, and received her Juris Doctor in 2018 from American University- Washington College of Law.

While in law school, Ms. Barron was an Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition winner. Additionally, Ms. Barron was a law clerk for Commissioner Feldblum at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Washington, D.C. and a student attorney for American University- Washington College of Law’s Civil Advocacy Clinic. Ms. Barron had also previously been employed at HoganWillig as...

As an attorney in the real estate department, Ms. Letty oversees the everyday operations of all aspects of the real estate practice including buy/sell, mortgage handling, as well as, all transactions that require litigation or attention beyond the normal closing procedure. She is also the principal title insurance attorney who examines titles, prepares preliminary title reports, resolves title problems, and issues final title insurance policies through various title insurance agencies, in an effort to ensure that our clients, whether they are purchasers or banks, are fully protected against adverse title claims that may arise as a consequence of their purchase...

Lisa M. Yaeger is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Criminal Defense and Litigation departments. With over 30 years of legal experience in the Western New York Court System, she is very familiar with effectively and efficiently representing her clients’ needs. In addition, Ms. Yaeger’s long tenure as an Assistant District Attorney in the Erie County DA’s Office will be an excellent resource for the complex trial litigation work she will continue to handle. Ms. Yaeger received her Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo after receiving her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at the...

Scott Michael Duquin focuses his practice on Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Civil Litigation. Prior to joining us, Scott spent the first 11 years of his career doing insurance defense. He holds an AVVO Super rating, Martindale Distinguished, and has been named a Super Lawyer in Personal Injury every year since 2013.

Scott has extensive trial and appellate experience representing individuals to multi-national corporations in automobile liability, medical malpractice, products liability, toxic tort and catastrophic personal injury matters. Scott has successfully represented several small business owners in various litigated commercial matters.

In 2016, in a highly publicized case Scott was able to...

Kenneth Olena has worked for the last 35 years as a family law practitioner. He specializes in divorce proceedings, ranging from small to multi-million dollar settlements. Since 1981, Kenneth has practiced across upstate New York and predominantly in the Western New York region, helping clients with over a thousand divorce cases; prior to his work at Tiveron Law, Mr. Olena also provided excellent support to clients with Siegel, Kelleher & Kahn for more than 21 years. With expertise, he has handled actions of varying financial complexity involving difficult custodial battles, hardships regarding property ownership, and management of clients' personal businesses...

Our founding member and principal, Russel Morgan has concentrated in commercial and contract litigation, trust and estate planning, business and personal asset protection, wealth preservation and dynasty succession planning. Russel has also assisted clients with all forms of commercial and personal transnational work, including the preparation, re-structuring and litigation of various types of contracts. Our estate law office also includes; Eldercare planning, nyc healthcare proxy, beneficiary in a Will, Medicaid planning trusts, mltc plan, Medicaid planning strategies, help with drafting wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Russel Morgan was raised in Brooklyn, New York and has remained loyal to his origins...

Nicholas A. Taylor is an Associate Attorney in HoganWillig’s Corporate and Business Department, handling contract formation and enforcement, corporate matters regarding formation, restructuring, and dissolution, and issues regarding commercial leasing of property.

Prior to joining HoganWillig, Mr. Taylor practiced insurance defense litigation, representing insurance carriers, employers, and third party administrators in workers’ compensation proceedings throughout Western New York.

Mr. Taylor graduated from Penn State Law at Pennsylvania State University and is an inducted member of the Woolsack Honor Society, which recognizes academic excellence. He is admitted to practice law in New York and is a member of the New York State and...

Tyler J. Eckert is an attorney, in Tiveron Law’s litigation department, focusing his practice with the Criminal Defense Practice Group. Mr. Eckert obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California Berkeley and his Juris Doctorate from Penn State Dickinson Law. While in law school, Mr. Eckert was a Regional Champion of the 72nd National Moot Court Competition and a recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Negotiation/Mediation. Tyler was also a judicial intern to the Honorable William Tully in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and had experience clerking for the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.

Gregory Salmon is an attorney in Tiveron Law’s Real Estate Law and Business Law Departments. Mr. Salmon handles a wide range of Residential and Commercial real estate transactions, assisting purchasers with the acquisition of property, due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiations. Mr. Salmon received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his undergraduate degree in Business Management and Corporate Finance from Saint John Fisher University. Gregory also holds numerous professional certifications, namely as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Certified Investment Analyst, a Certified Financial Analyst, a Certified Business Tax Advisor, a Certified...

As a father of six children and eight grandchildren I understand and appreciate what it means to serve our family and communities. As a trial attorney, I also enjoy the task of righting the wrongs that happen to innocent people. I also pride myself on winning cases and leveling the playing field so that the rich and powerful corporations and insurance companies do not win the battle due to their wealth and power over the average citizen. Having over 35 years of experience and the track record of supervising over 2 billion dollars in settlements for our...

J. Michael Kelleher graduated cum laude from St. Bonaventure University with a B.A. in 1967, and received his legal education at the University Of Notre Dame, graduating in 1970. Mr. Kelleher was Town Justice for the Town of Lancaster from 1975 to 2014 and is Senior Counsel at Tiveron Law since joining the firm in 2011. Mr. Kelleher has focused his practice in commercial and residential real estate as well probate, estate planning, and corporate law since 1970. He is a member of the Real Estate and Estate Practice and Procedure Committees of the Erie County Bar Association. Mr. Kelleher has lectured...

Daniel S. Gvertz is an attorney in Tiveron Law’s Matrimonial and Family Law department. Mr. Gvertz received his Juris Doctorate from the State University at Buffalo School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. While an undergraduate, Daniel served as the editor of the student newspaper. With more than a dozen years of legal experience, Mr. Gvertz has working knowledge in a myriad of litigation areas, including criminal law, plaintiff’s personal injury, collections, mortgage foreclosure, insurance defense, and family law. This diverse courtroom experience is a true asset to his clients.

Jeffrey Reina is a senior partner at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria and is the head of the Matrimonial Law Practice Area. He has experience handling a variety of matrimonial issues, including divorce, separation, spousal support, same sex marriage, prenuptial agreements, post-judgment, and complex high net worth divorce. Mr. Reina also oversees the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Area. He resolves disputes for clients involving contracts, employment agreements, trademarks, copyrights, and partnership and shareholder matters. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Reina spent nearly a decade working in the restaurant industry. For several years, he served as...

Konst Law provides real estate, divorce, personal injury, corporate and business legal services.