Jefferson County Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Annette Gifford has obtained successful outcomes for clients in both state and federal courts, including in connection with reversing or vacating convictions before multiple circuits of the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal. Ms. Gifford’s primary work for Spolin Law clients includes post-trial direct appeals and writs of habeas corpus. She received her B.S. degree from Cornell University and her J.D. from Cornell Law School and is licensed to practice law in California and New York.

Michael Konopka has aggressively represented his clients for over 34 years. He is involved in complex litigation in both the State and Federal Courts. He is currently the principal of Michael Konopka & Associates, P.C,, located at 277 Broadway, NY, NY. (212 385 4800) His office staff is fluent in Russian, Ukranian, Polish and Chinese. Michael Konopka was born in Detroit. After graduating from Monteith College, he attended New York Law School and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1982. Michael is a lifetime member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the American Bar Association and...

Jacob is a Partner with The Zoghlin Group and Chairs the firm’s Zoning & Land Use Law and Cannabis Law practice group. His practice focuses on environmental, zoning, land use, cannabis, energy, & municipal law. He counsels individuals, businesses, & municipalities, and helps them resolve their issues by advocating, educating, advising, & litigating on their behalf. In his municipal practice, Jacob provides special counsel services to municipal boards, and advises clients on a wide range of procedural and legal issues. His practice also focuses on ensuring government entities comply with the law, and has included litigation related to New York’s Administrative...

I am a trial lawyer and litigator. I also provide corporate advice and representation to religious institutions and represent foreign nationals in applications for religious asylum. I have actively practiced as a lawyer since graduating from law school in 1983. After eight years of training in big firms in Chicago and New York, I established my own law office in New York City. In summer, 2016, I joined with two other experienced lawyers to form Nelson Madden Black LLP. Our firm focuses on the representation of churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other religious institutions, and individuals who have legal...

Rachel J. B. Weisman


Rachel Weisman, a strong, cunning, and dedicated divorce lawyer on Long Island, is considered one of the most captivating divorce litigators in the Greater New York City Area. She provides her clients with very specific, personal attention to their divorce and family law cases and gives special care when dealing with domestic violence cases.

If you're looking to get a divorce, or looking for a trusted, unbiased divorce mediator to handle the finalization of your marriage, look no further. Rachel Weisman is a certified divorce mediator and has participated in many previous divorce mediations, several of which actually...

As one of the nation’s top white collar and criminal defense attorneys, former prosecutor Vinoo Varghese takes on trials and appeals other lawyers won’t—and wins. Yet, he prides himself on the fact that he has repeatedly convinced prosecutors to end cases against his clients without charges or gaining public attention, allowing those he defends to resume their lives. Varghese is a visiting faculty member at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list has included Varghese for nine consecutive years, he is ranked as a New York Metro Super Lawyer for the past eight years and...

For over 35 years Ingrid Gherman has dedicated her New York family law practice exclusively to all aspects of matrimonial law, focusing on divorce and child custody. This specialization has enabled her to accumulate extensive knowledge and robust experience in matters including divorce, child custody and visitation, marital agreements, equitable distribution of marital property, child support, spousal support and maintenance (alimony), prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, enforcement and modification proceedings, same sex marriage and divorce, contempt of court proceedings, domestic violence, and interstate and international child abduction.

Her skill as a litigator and appeals attorney is equaled by her ability...

Shawn Barnett is a skilled litigator and trial attorney who is dedicated to helping those who have been victimized by law enforcement or correctional officers. He has received multiple million-dollar settlements for his clients and has been recognized as an Illinois Rising Star multiple times. During his time as an attorney, Shawn has represented numerous clients who have been injured by those who have abused their authority. He has vigorously pursued a wide variety of claims on behalf of his clients, including false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, wrongful death, and sexual assault. Shawn has a particular focus on police involved...

Matthew Weinick is a Long Island employment lawyer. Since the beginning of his career, Matt has been fighting for his clients’ workplace rights before Federal and State Court judges and administrative law judges. He has tried employment discrimination and retaliation cases before juries in Federal Court, represents clients at mediation and arbitration, and has argued appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the New York Appellate Divisions, First and Second Departments. Matt’s success has been recognized for five consecutive years by Super Lawyers Magazine which listed him as a Rising Star from 2012-2016, a recognition reserved for...

Adam Gana serves as the managing partner of the law firm of Gana Weinstein LLP. His practice focuses on all aspects of securities arbitration. Mr. Gana's experience includes securities arbitration and litigation in various dispute resolution forums including JAMS, NFA and FINRA and litigation in both State and Federal Courts. As lead counsel, Mr. Gana has tried more than forty cases to verdict before the state and federal trial and appellate courts, AAA, and has settled hundreds more cases through mediation and direct negotiation.

Mr. Gana was named in the New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars® for eight straight years (an...

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...

Michael A. Rosenhouse concentrates his Rochester, NY, based practice in appeals and complex trial court motions, and includes experience both with and against prominent New York City and Chicago lawyers. He has received the highest rating from the oldest and most reputable peer-review institution in the profession. His successful appellate practice is supported by years of experience in complex civil litigation. He is the author of several books and articles on a wide variety of legal subjects and has lectured for national and local, specialized and general, legal educational organizations.

Attorney Caitlin Dukes is a former prosecutor who handles criminal appeals, writs, and other post-conviction relief for the criminal appeals firm Spolin & Dukes P.C. She has a wide array of experience in state and federal courts. Besides having served as a Deputy District Attorney, her background includes work for multiple judges and government entities (including Federal District Court Judge James Knoll Gardner and the United States Department of Homeland Security) as well as private sector experience defending clients wrongfully accused of crimes. Ms. Dukes’s primary goal on any given case is to identify the strongest arguments, clearly and succinctly present...

Attorney Jimmy Johnson is Juris Doctor (JD) graduate of Western Michigan University-Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Auburn Hills Campus, Michigan, USA. In fact, Jimmy Johnson, Esquire is a skilled US Immigration Attorney, Private and Public Criminal Defense Attorneys, and a General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Lawyer with great talents and proven experiences in legal immigration matters including Individual-Family-based and Business-based immigration issues for Jimed Johnson Immigration Services, LLC, Flushing, NY; Law Office of Osa Igunbor, Poughkeepsie, NY; Proskauer Rose, LLP; & Law Office of Adebukola Adetula, Irvington, NJ. Besides having his Juris Doctor (JD) Law Degree with concentration on...

As a Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, Derrick primarily focuses his practice on criminal defense. Since joining the firm, Derrick has represented clients facing an array of criminal charges, including all classifications of misdemeanors and felonies under New York State’s Penal Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law, as well as federal criminal charges. Derrick brings a wealth of legal knowledge in multiple practice areas to Tully Rinckey, due in part to his previous role as a Client Relations Attorney. In this position, Derrick oversaw the operations of the firm’s Client Relations Department and provided legal assistance to potential new clients....

Mr. Pace has briefed and argued cases in federal appellate courts around the country and in several state supreme courts. His clients have included sitting U.S. Senators, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the ACLU of NJ, as well as several startups. He has extensive experience litigating a wide array of matters, including: civil rights, First Amendment, consumer rights, FOIL and FOIA, class actions, defamation, arbitration, business disputes, and torts. Prior to founding J. Pace Law, Mr. Pace was senior legal counsel at Reprieve US, where he directed the group's First Amendment and national security litigation. He held the...

Sanford F. Young graduated cum laude in the top ten of his 1976 class from the Syracuse University College of Law. Notes & Comment/Recent Developments Editor of the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce, Member and Judge of the Moot Court Board, and Member of the Moot Court Tax Team. Admitted in NY, NJ and PA, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeal for the 2nd and 3rd Circuits, and U.S. District Courts in NY, NJ and PA. He was born and raised in New York City and graduated magna cum laude from Brooklyn College.

Steven M. Silverberg is a founder of the firm and Of Counsel to Silverberg Zalantis LLC. He has extensive experience in representing developers and municipalities in land use, zoning and environmental law matters including litigation and appeals in the New York State and Federal Courts. Starting his career as an assistant district attorney and then working as a town attorney, providing counsel in such diverse areas as contracts, construction, telecommunications and employment law, prepared him for the services he has provided to businesses, municipalities and individuals. In addition to his experience with the approval process for residential and commercial developments...

Bukh Law Firm, P.C. is #1 ranked Criminal Defense law firm, as ranked by Avvo, Citysearch and Insiderpages. The attorneys at the Bukh Law Firm, P.C. are committed to providing each and every client with an aggressive and thorough legal defense, regardless of the size and complexity of their case. Our law firmâs founder and managing partner, Arkady Bukh, vigorously pursued and selected attorneys with a developed domain expertise in criminal, family, and civil litigation practice areas. The result of his efforts is a dedicated and energized team of legal experts that can swiftly bring to a favorable closure...

Samantha has established a remarkable reputation for consistently delivering unmatched results with speed. Clients admire her fearlessness in the courtroom and unwavering dedication to their cause. She firmly believes in the lawyer's ability to make a positive impact on the justice system and uphold the constitutional ideals that underpin our society. Central to Samantha's approach is empowering her clients and offering them the necessary support and guidance to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. As a fierce advocate for individuals accused of crimes, she recognizes the unique challenges they face and is fully committed to safeguarding their rights and...

Michael Martens is an accomplished attorney with significant litigation experience practicing in the Hudson Valley. After graduating from George Washington University and Brooklyn Law School, he began his legal career in Manhattan and Brooklyn, working for prominent law firms before ultimately settling in New Paltz with his wife and daughter, where he worked for a highly respected Hudson Valley law firm. Throughout his career, Michael has gained a reputation as a highly skilled litigator, representing individuals and businesses alike. He has previously served as appellate counsel and dispositive motion counsel for a prominent Manhattan litigation firm, honing his skills in complex...

Brad Henry represents entities and individuals in criminal and regulatory litigation and investigations, international arbitrations, and internal investigations. Brad is a board-certified criminal trial specialist and has represented and defended clients in trials and investigations involving U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in over fifteen different districts around the country.

Brad represents clients in investigations and litigation involving the Department of Justice (National Security Division, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division), Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Office of Foreign Assets Control, as well as other federal, state and local agencies. He also conducts internal investigations...

Anthony M. La Pinta is one of Long Island’s most accomplished and respected trial attorneys. Practicing law for over 30 years, he specializes in all phases of federal and state criminal defense, civil rights and plaintiff's personal injury litigation.

Described by members of the judiciary as "an attorney of the highest caliber," and "one of the finest lawyers on Long Island," Mr. La Pinta represents the highest standards in the legal community. He has been selected to the 2014-2020 editions of "Super Lawyers" magazine and has earned the “Preeminent - AV” rating with the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Attorney Peer Rating System....

I am a Litigation Attorney that concentrates my practice on Insurance Coverage, Toxic Torts, Environmental, Product Liability & Commercial Litigation. In particular, I represent landlords, small businesses such as manufacturers, distributors, retailers, waste haulers and dry cleaners, and I defend insured businesses for insurance companies. For more than two decades I have defended litigation claims involving lead paint, mold, asbestos, benzene, ink, and other toxic tort and environmental claims as well as related insurance coverage disputes and disputes between insurance companies. I routinely litigate commercial and contractual claims as well as shareholder and partnership disputes for small businesses and I...

Scott A. Barbour provides dedicated and skilled representation to corporate and institutional clients with various types of civil and commercial litigation. His practice areas include railroad, products liability and contract litigation. Additionally, Scott is experienced in mediation and arbitration for civil matters.

Scott's trial and appellate experience includes cases in federal and state courts throughout New York. His jurisdictions include the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Scott is a member of...

Laura K. Gasiorowski, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense law since 1994 and joined Stahl Gasiorowski Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2005. For almost thirty years she has concentrated her career on representation of individuals and corporations in state and federal courts, in a wide variety of criminal matters, from complex white collar cases involving mail and wire fraud, money laundering, computer fraud, structuring, tax evasion and bank fraud to offenses like terrorism, kidnapping, gambling, narcotics violations, murder, VICAR, and RICO. She also represents students in college and university disciplinary hearings.

Daniel H. Erskine, a New York and Connecticut admitted attorney and solicitor of England and Wales, represents U.S. individuals, companies, joint ventures, foreign businesses, and foreign nationals on complex legal matters under U.S. and U.K. law. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Erskine served as a shareholder and counsel to a business involved in relocating large scale production facilities from either US or foreign locations. Mr. Erskine also completed a judicial clerkship at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC. He now operates a solo practice focused on international business transactions, advising on US and English...

Attorney Andre Sedlak received his Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. Before he studied law, he spent 21 years working with the New York State Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer and Corrections Sergeant. His legal experience includes internships with the Westchester County D.A.’s office and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, an Associate Attorney with Klein Varble & Associates, P.C., and The Law Office of Andre Sedlak in Poughkeepsie New York.

Mr. Sewell has several years of transactional experience as well as significant, state and federal litigation practice. Moreover, he is well-versed in prosecution matters before the United States Patent & Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office. He has represented the spectrum of patent, trademark, and copyright owners, food and drug companies, business owners, non-institutional clients, and more. While at Kaye Scholer, LLP, Mr. Sewell’s foci were in the areas of litigation and intellectual property. Prior to large firm practice, he honed his skills in Manhattan at the law firm of Ullman, Shapiro, & Ullman, LLP that specialized in...

Bernard D’Orazio is a native New Yorker who has lived in New York City for more than 35 years. He served for eight years as an appointed member of Manhattan Community Board No. 1, which participates in City planning processes and other issues facing lower Manhattan. In addition, he was for many years a member of the Board of Managers of his 261-unit condominium building located in the Tribeca neighborhood in Manhattan and also served as its President. Mr. D’Orazio is presently a Public Member of the Business Conduct Committee (formerly known as the Adjudication Committee) of The CME Group,...

Peter is the Managing Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Rochester Office, where he practices criminal defense.

With over 30 years of criminal defense experience, Peter has handled thousands of criminal cases, including violations, misdemeanors, felonies and appeals. He has primarily represented defendants in felony cases in both state and federal courts. Peter is certified as “learned counsel” in federal court capital cases. Prior to New York State’s abolishment of capital punishment, he was likewise certified to handle death penalty cases in state courts.

On multiple occasions, Peter has won acquittals or verdicts to lesser charges for clients charged with murder. Additionally, he...

Ryan Blanch is a well-known Reputation Management attorney. With years of experience as a New York criminal defense lawyer, Mr. Blanch has successfully handled a wide variety of crises, including government investigations, complex white-collar crimes, health care fraud, and felonies/misdemeanors. Mr. Blanch has represented numerous individuals, including executives, attorneys, accountants, health care providers, financial industry professionals, as well as various corporations, in high-stake reputational crises. His unparalleled expertise has made him one of the most sought-after attorneys in the field of Reputation Management. With a track record of success, Mr. Blanch has had a number of cases chronicled in various media outlets....

Joel R. Brandes, of the New York Bar, concentrates his practice in New York divorce and family law appeals. He also consults with and advises attorneys on appellate, trial court and international child abduction matters in all of the New York state and federal courts. He has been recognized by the New York Appellate Division as a "noted authority and expert on New York family law and divorce ” (See Matter of Brandes, 2015 WL 4664743, 2015 N.Y. Slip Op. 81096(U) (2d Dept.,2015)). He is the author of the treatise Law and the Family New York 2021-2022 Edition...

I spent over 20 years in the trenches as a trial attorney, but my passion is in the areas of special education and disability law. Wanting to help clients in a more sustainable way, I have transitioned into a new type of practice.

My goal is to empathize, collaborate, and advocate for clients to find them resolutions, in special education, discriminatory conflicts, and other areas. I am a trained mediator, and have extensive experience in negotiations. I offer services to anyone looking to mediate a dispute, or who may benefit from training in conflict resolution. I offer consulting services to school...

Barry Covert focuses his practice New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals; constitutional law, including First Amendment, Second Amendment, and civil rights actions; Qui Tam Act, also known as the False Claims Act; defending against allegations of scientific misconduct, scientific fraud, research misconduct, research fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence; defense of professional licensing, including for attorneys, doctors, and nurses. Mr. Covert has represented numerous professional clients relating to licensing issues and defended a prominent research scientist against allegations of scientific fraud and misconduct involving several federally funded research projects involving the Office of Research Integrity (ORI)....

Land Use and Zoning, Environmental and Municipal Law Real Estate Litigation Commercial Litigation Civil Rights (Property Rights) Litigation

Christopher J. Gray has spent most of his career representing individuals and small businesses- almost exclusively as plaintiffs- in complex litigation, arbitrations, class actions, and trials and appeals in state and federal court.

Mr. Gray was admitted to the New York bar in 1997, is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of New York, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the U.S. Court of...

In more than nineteen years of law practice based in New York and Connecticut, Bill Lalor has represented a diverse group of individual and commercial clients in an array of litigated and other matters involving business disputes, complex insurance coverage (including coverage-in-place agreements, structured settlements, and other coverage issues), employment disputes and negotiations, probate and estate matters, education, real estate, small business planning, personal injury, toxic torts and mass torts, regulatory matters, education law and other subject areas. Bill has litigated cases involving high-profile clients and adversaries in federal, state and specialized courts throughout the United States, including “CNA” insurers and...

Bill has 20+ years of litigation and law firm management experience. He is hardworking, efficient and detail oriented with strong leadership skills and a proven track record. He is extremely organized with a strong ability to multi-task. Bill works well in a team environment and is capable of handling complex matters and providing guidance to other team members to ensure that all matters are handled properly. EDUCATION Juris Doctor ...

Robert G. Stahl is the managing partner of Stahl Gasiorowski Criminal Defense Lawyers. He started the firm in 1997, after six years of exemplary service as a federal prosecutor. His firm focuses on defending individuals charged with white-collar offenses and other serious federal and state charges, both at trial and on appeal. Recent notable federal cases include representing a college student charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice in the aftermath of Boston Marathon bombing; a pharmacist charged with a multimillion-dollar online prescription drug fraud scheme in the SDNY; and a prominent rabbi charged with kidnapping as a result of...