Arden Business Lawyers

Trevor M. Torcello is a shareholder of Gross Shuman who focuses his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, business transactions, agribusiness and working with emerging businesses. He brings a unique blend of legal experience and business acumen to every matter he handles and has extensive experience representing various parties in complex business transactions. Trevor has a broad background in civil litigation, mediation, and arbitration in handling disputes between businesses. He provides counseling to businesses on a number of current technology-driven issues, including addressing the use of technology and social media in the workplace. Trevor is active in the Western New...

Denis has been a lifelong resident of Western New York, a graduate of Kenmore West, High School, a U.S. Naval Aviator, and an attorney for over 40 years.

Robert Michalak represents contractors, owners, and surety companies. His experience includes contract negotiations, bidding issues, project closeout consultation, mechanic's lien and trust fund filings and challenges, and claim prosecution and defense. Mr. Michalak also represents clients in structuring business and shareholder relationships, real estate development and commercial leases. He regularly represents clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

In addition to his Doctor of Jurisprudence, Mr. Michalak has degrees in mechanical and chemical engineering and has held engineering positions in county government and a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Michalak has been a business law lecturer at the University at Buffalo and a...

Michael Reiser is an Associate Attorney practicing in the firm’s Corporate and Business Department, and handles contract formation and enforcement, corporate matters, collections, and property matters.

Mr. Reiser obtained his B.A. in English, with a minor in Political Science, from John Carroll University, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Reiser received his Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo Law School in 2016, graduating cum laude.

Before joining HoganWillig, Mr. Reiser practiced in real estate, mortgage servicing, mortgage foreclosure litigation, and title resolution.

Harry J. Forrest is a shareholder attorney with Gross Shuman P.C. in Buffalo, New York. Mr. Forrest focuses his legal practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, fall-down accidents and wrongful death. He also practices in the areas of civil litigation, business counseling and long-term disability claims and appeals. He has successfully handled cases in both federal and state courts and has tried cases to verdict involving claims for personal injury, property damage, contract disputes and constitutional civil rights violations. Mr. Forrest is a graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport where he...

Donald Fox practices in the areas of real estate, trusts and estates and business related issues. He also has a busy practice in the area of not-for-profit organizations and serves as counsel for churches, fire departments and numerous other community organizations. Don counsels extensively with the firm’s business clients in all areas of contracts, leasing and business transactions. His extensive background in tax gives him a unique understanding of complex business issues from multiple perspectives. This skill also permits an in-depth analysis in the area of estate planning. In the face of many public policy uncertainties, Don’s in-depth knowledge...

Shaw & Murphy is a general practice law firm focused on providing high-caliber, personal and commercial legal service to clients in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier of New York.

We are a general practice on purpose: We believe clients benefit from a broad view of the law. We understand, for example, how divorce, custody, visitation and child support impact your business or that buying a house can also impact your estate planning.

Our lawyers and paralegals work together to provide clients with cost-effective solutions. We offer our wide experience in many areas of the law and our varied life experiences as...

Hayden R. Brainard, Jr. is a Partner in Miller Mayer’s Corporate Law and Intellectual Property practice groups. Mr. Brainard focuses his practice on corporate law. Mr. Brainard’s corporate practice includes advising entrepreneurs and small and medium size businesses in business formation and governance, employment matters, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, succession planning, and financing, including venture capital. Mr. Brainard also practices intellectual property law, including advising clients in intellectual property protection, trademark and copyright registration, licensing, negotiation and preparation of software development and service agreements. Mr. Brainard is a member of the New York...

With nearly three decades of professional experience, I have a broad background in commercial real estate transactions. My skills range from drafting and negotiating operating agreements to advising on syndications, which includes financial analyses and preparing presentations, as well as vetting deals. I am also adept at negotiating purchase agreements, mortgage agreements, and more. My career has seen me work at one of the largest law firms globally in their New York City offices, serve as General Counsel for a prominent real estate company, and manage my own real estate assets in the Tri-Cities area. Although I am trained as...

Holly Avery has 13 years of experience representing clients in matters involving business and corporate law, residential and commercial real estate, leasing and oil and gas law. Her practice includes assisting clients in areas such as Binghamton, Owego, Ithaca, Cortland, Syracuse and Broome County, Onondaga County and Erie County.

Scott R. Kurkoski is the Assistant Managing Partner in the Binghamton, New York law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. Mr. Kurkoski concentrates his practice in the areas of business and real estate transactions, wind and solar energy projects and commercial litigation. He is Chair of the firm’s Energy and Cannabis Practice Groups.

Palmer J. Pelella is dedicated to providing outstanding service and legal advocacy for clients throughout Central New York. His practice areas include Estate Planning, Probate, and Traffic Tickets, Real Estate, and Business Law needs. A former Assistant District Attorney, Palmer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to a multitude of legal matters.

Palmer J. Pelella Esq. is a full service, boutique law firm committed to delivering exceptional representation with reliability, efficiency and integrity. If you would like to talk, please reach out to schedule a Free Consultation.

A good lawyer can make the difference!

Douglas James Rose is a Partner in the litigation department of Tully Rinckey PLLC. Douglas focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation issues, including real estate, zoning, and land use, as well as contract actions and creditor-debtor relations. He previously worked in the Albany office of Deily, Mooney, & Glastetter, LLP. Prior to entering the legal profession, Doug served in the United States Coast Guard. Deployed primarily on law enforcement patrol duties in the Caribbean, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade). Doug received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was a Dean’s Merit...

Julia is a passionate litigator practicing in commercial litigation and general liability insurance defense. She is also a skilled advisor to individuals and businesses in the cannabis industry, advising clients on cannabis related contracts, licensing, regulations, and compliance matters. Julia’s long-time passion for aiding the cannabis industry began by seeing how life changing cannabis was for her grandmother battling terminal cancer. Her dedication to helping people achieve their goals within the cannabis community is unrivaled. Julia understands the inherent risks with entering an industry that remains federally illegal and highly stigmatized, and hopes that through community outreach, education, and positive...

I've lived in New York all my life, earning my B.A. from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo in 1975. In 1977, I also earned my Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law. I believe being an active participant in the community is essential for a successful law practice. My law firm partner and I have been working with Buffalo and WNY residents for almost four decades, so we're not surprised when clients tell us we've helped a member of their family or neighbor in the past. We have 13 locations across New York and practice law in many areas. Our website has numerous free...

John has practiced law in Rochester for over 15 years and is admitted to practice in the following courts: New York State Court, U.S District Court for the Western District of New York, and United States Bankruptcy Court. He also currently serves as a justice for the Town of Pittsford, where he presides over civil matters including contract, real property, and municipal law, small claims, and criminal matters including felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanors. He is actively involved in his local community and participates in the following community activities: * Pittsford Town Board, Past Councilperson *...

Nicholas S. Ratush, Esq., is licensed to practice before State and Federal Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York. Nicholas Ratush believes that effective client representation starts with a thorough examination of every detail of a case. That process often leads him to discover the vital pieces of information that are essential to develop highly effective strategies for dealing with the issues presented. Nicholas was born in Kiev, Ukraine and grew up in New York. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University majoring in Information Systems. He received his Juris...

Jared Hirt is a Business Law, Divorce & Family Law, DWI & Criminal Defense, Litigation and Real Estate attorney in Rochester, NY.

Stephen Bennett represents clients in a wide variety of matters. Steve represents business owners throughout the lifecycle of their business from start up, to hiring their first employee, to acquisitions of equipment and other businesses, all the way to sale or transition to inside or outside ownership. Steve’s experience in representing many local lenders in secured transactions also allows him to provide a different perspective to his business clients. In addition, Steve counsels clients in both basic estate planning (Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Proxies) and in more complex estate and estate tax planning. Long-term care is a...

Thirty years of experience throughout the United States representing families and professionals when they most need a strong advocate in their corner. A member of the Supreme Court of the United States, Florida and New York, Julia represents men and women in high net worth divorce, child custody, international custody disputes, parental alienation cases, divorcing the narcissist, complex high conflict divorce, family business dissolution, child support, domestic violence. Business matters include human resource advice to small businesses, assisting the small business in start-up, representing small business before the local planning and zoning boards, drafting articles of incorporation and governing...

A holistic approach to your legal matters. I am a trained divorce mediator and experienced attorney who works primarily with clients who choose to seek resolution of their divorce, family law, and other legal matters outside of the court room through mediation and collaborative law. In addition to his mediation practice, Tom has fifteen years of experience practicing matrimonial and family law, real estate law and elder law in the Finger Lakes and is the owner of Law Office of Thomas W. Seeley, PC and Finger Lakes Holistic Divorce Mediation, Inc.
Tom encourages clients to integrate...

Jordan B. Charnetsky practices in the areas of business law, labor & employment, real estate, and criminal defense (including traffic tickets and DWI/DUI). He practices in Broome County, as well as the following surrounding counties: Tompkins, Tioga, Chemung, Steuben, Chenango, and Schuyler.

Melody Westfall is an esteemed attorney and the driving force behind Westfall Law, where she serves as the CEO and Managing Partner. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience in real estate, environmental law, and business development, Melody has solidified her reputation as a pre-eminent authority in the legal field, in both New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a U.S. Navy Veteran, Melody embodies the tenacity and discipline that sets her apart in the legal field; her dedication to her clients, combined with her unparalleled knowledge and resolute advocacy, has propelled Westfall Law to new...

Representation of individuals and closely held businesses in the following practice areas: Family Law/ Divorce Child Support Business Formation Civil Litigation Wills and Trusts Vehicle and Traffic

Alycia K. Kimmel practices in the areas of estate planning and estate administration, elder law, real estate and not-for-profit matters. She is admitted to practice in the states of New York and Florida. She practices primarily in Broome County, as well as the following surrounding counties: Tompkins, Tioga, Chemung, Steuben, Chenango, and Schuyler.

Sandra E. Malkin is a partner in the law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. Her areas of practice are oil and gas law, business law, real property law, trusts and estates and succession planning.

Ms. Malkin was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2002, the Pennsylvania Bar in 2010 and the Florida Bar in 2016. She earned her B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Binghamton University, her J.D. degree from Syracuse University College of Law and her M.P.A. degree from Maxwell School of Public Administration.

Ms. Malkin is a member of the...

I have been practicing in NY since 2005 and in PA since 2013. I am co-chair of the Business Practice Group at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP and have held this position for almost ten years. I practice in the areas of business, commercial real estate, and commercial transactions. I have represented private lenders, landlords, tenants, for profit and not for profit entities, hospitals, medical and dental practices, developers, and investors in a wide range of transactions in NY and PA.

As a practicing attorney for over 25 years, John Liguori is a highly experienced litigator with a concentration in municipal, public housing and personal injury law. He has litigated hundreds of negligence defense, civil rights and personal injury cases in both state and federal court. Former Deputy County Attorney in the Albany County Department of Law, John’s commitment to public service is evident. In addition to his civil litigation practice, John also practices in the areas of estates and probate, commercial and residential real estate, landlord-tenant law and vehicle and traffic offenses. John stays active in the legal community as a member...

James T. Towne, Jr. has been representing businesses, municipalities and related entities for many years, addressing and handling matters ranging from general litigation, harassment claims, employment issues, zoning, planning and tax certiorari matters. Moreover, with Mr. Towne’s highly developed understanding of ethics as it impacts business and government, his services to an organization is invaluable. Mr. Towne also provides assistance with ethics issues and technology issues as they relate to the law and other “hot button” topics which may arise.

Graig contributes to the versatility of Tully Rinckey PLLC's legal services for Capital Region residents. He was brought in to the firm to strengthen its real estate practice group. He represents private real estate owners, real estate developers, and banks and other institutional lenders in their real estate transactions. Graig's understanding of the loan process from all angles enables the firm to advise individual and corporate clients throughout the closing process. He provides representation across a range of real estate legal matters, including closings, title disputes, title insurance, contracts, zoning, variances, transfers, inheritances, lease disputes, and adverse possession. Additionally, Graig provides...

Joseph is admitted to practice law in the state courts of New York and New Jersey. He counsels clients locally and globally with issues related to the United States federal laws including Commercial and Business Transactions, International Trade and Investments, and Immigration and Naturalization services.

He counsels clients locally and globally with issues related to the United States federal laws including Commercial and Business Transactions, International Trade and Investments, and Immigration and Naturalization services.

He is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

He served as Vice Chair...

Our office consists of six people - 3 lawyers, two paralegals and one strictly clerical person. In addition to being a lawyer, I am and have been in various businesses, real estate development and ownership,and am an active pilot. We try to accomplish our client's goals in the least expensive and least adversairal way possible, but unfortunatley that is not always possible and thus we are fully equipped to litigate the result.

Jennifer P Stergion, Esq. was the founding Chair of the Erie County Bar Association's Committee on Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Issues. She is the current Secretary of that Bar Association Committee and a member of the Bar's Family Law Practice and Procedure Committee. Jennifer has a Bacheolor's degree in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Criminal Justice, and a J.D. with dual concentrations in International Law and Civil Litigation. She is admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, is a Department of Veterans Affairs accredited attorney, and admitted to the Appellate Division, 4th Department of...

Born and raised in the Buffalo area, Mr. MacKay is a graduate of Canisius High School. Following high school, he attended S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, graduating cum laude and “With High Distinction” in the psychology department. Attending law school after taking several years off, Mr. MacKay graduated magna cum laude early on an accelerated track from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo Law School. While there, he participated in several moot court competitions, including representing the school in a national criminal law moot court competition. In addition, Mr. MacKay interned with the Hon. Timothy J. Drury of the New York State Supreme Court and...