Niagara University Estate Planning Lawyers

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...

Michael joined Gold and Gold in September 2021 after his family decided to move back to Western New York from the Adirondacks. Prior to this, Michael had nearly 20 years experience in the area of Medicaid Planning, Elder Law and Estate and Trust planning working for one of the State’s premier elder law and special needs law firms. In June 2022, Michael joined as a partner with Michael A. Gold to form Gold and Dezik, Attorneys at Law. “After being locked indoors for two-years, it became obvious that being close to family was paramount, especially with our two young...

With a robust background in Italian and international law, I bring a wealth of expertise in navigating the complex legal landscapes between Italy and the United States. As a licensed attorney in Italy, I am uniquely positioned to assist American clients with all legal matters pertaining to Italy, from corporate and compliance issues to real estate and immigration law. My legal journey began at the prestigious University of Bologna, where I earned my law degree and developed a deep understanding of Italian legal principles. Over the years, I honed my skills working with top-tier law firms and multinational corporations in Italy,...

Diane Tiveron is a Partner and the Chairperson of the Corporate & Business Law Department at Tiveron Law PLLC. With over 29 years of legal experience and a educational background in economics and business administration, Ms. Tiveron assists clients with business formations (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporations, and limited liability companies), acquisitions, sales or dissolutions, as well as the preparation of any commercial document/contract, ranging from an employment agreement to a lease. She counsels non-for-profit organizations on nonprofit law and governance, obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status and 501(c) classifications. Ms. Tiveron also advises individuals and businesses with bankruptcy issues (Chapter...

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...

Jeffrey B. Novak is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Litigation Department with a focus on Business & Corporate Law. Mr. Novak graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Buffalo with a major in Political Science and History. He received his legal education from the George Washington University Law School while interning for the Army Environmental Law Division. Mr. Novak also served as a summer Law Clerk for the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York and as a Judicial Intern for the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. Mr. Novak has...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Jeffrey Tyrpak, an Amherst native, attended Fordham University and obtained his BA in International Political Economy in 2010. In 2013, he earned his JD at UB Law School with a concentration in Finance Transactions.

He started practicing law at a small firm in New York City before returning home and joining our team in December of 2016. While working in New York City, Mr. Tyrpak handled litigation in federal court regarding collective bargaining agreements and ERISA for employee benefit funds. He also worked on government compliance matters under the Affordable Care Act and ERISA.

Currently, Mr. Tyrpak resides in HoganWillig's Real Estate...

Stephen R. Silverstein concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and disability planning, estate administration, guardianships and elder law.

He is a graduate of the University of Rochester and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. He is a former bank trust officer, where he worked on administration of estates, trusts and employee benefit plans.

Mr. Silverstein is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Surrogate’s Court Committee and serves as the Committee’s Recording Secretary. He is also a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Elder Law Committee and...

In law school, Mr. London specialized in taxation and after graduation joined a large firm in Buffalo where his practice emphasized tax planning for businesses, individuals and estates. Mr. London established his own practice which over the years grew through referrals from clients, accountants and lawyers. His business clients are both small and large U.S. and Canadian companies and credit unions. "When clients have had unusual challenges I have often been able to fashion unique solutions which enabled a transaction to occur. I believe it is not sufficient for a lawyer to tell a client why something can't be done...

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...

Jillian Faltyn is an associate attorney primarily focusing her practice in the Corporate and Business Law Department. Jillian’s experience representing insurance carriers to resolve complex coverage disputes gave her a strong understanding of labor laws and personal injury-related claims from a commercial litigation focus. Ms. Faltyn obtained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo State College. After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law, Ms. Faltyn has practiced Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense. Ms. Faltyn takes a hands-on approach to assisting corporate clients in developing strategic and innovative solutions to their most challenging litigation matters. Jillian...

Nicholas J. Ingrassia is an attorney and shareholder of Gross Shuman P.C. in Buffalo, New York. He concentrates his law practice in the areas of Real Estate & Development, Banking & Finance, and Business & Corporate Law. Mr. Ingrassia also has extensive experience assisting clients with Estate Planning & Administration, and Canada-U. S. Cross Border legal issues. He is admitted to practice in New York State and as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Ingrassia is active in the Western New York community. His volunteer work includes assisting the Kenmore Special Olympics, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters...

Katherine Liebner is a shareholder attorney with Buffalo-based Gross Shuman P.C. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and labor and employment law. Katherine received her J.D. from the University at Buffalo and is admitted to practice before all New York State Courts, Florida State Courts, the federal district courts for the Western District of New York, the Northern District of New York, the District of Colorado and the United States Tax Court. Katherine was named to Buffalo Business First’s inaugural 30 under 30 class in 2012 and selected as a Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising...

Jonathan D. Schechter is a shareholder attorney with Gross Shuman P.C. in Buffalo, New York. His practice and experience includes business counseling and corporate law, commercial real estate and financing, estates, trusts, taxation and cross-border and business tax planning. Using his in-depth knowledge of tax law, he assists owners of both publicly traded and closely held businesses with their legal needs as well as their personal estate planning. Jonathan provides day-to-day counsel and representation to publicly traded companies, small business enterprises, charter schools and not-for-profits on a wide variety of legal matters. He prides himself in providing services to clients...

Ariel A. Bauerle is a litigation attorney practicing in HoganWillig’s Business, Estate Planning and Matrimonial & Family Law departments. She brings with her a wealth of legal knowledge as a student attorney working for the Family and Women’s Rights Clinic in Buffalo, representing clients in family law issues, including custody, visitation, and support cases. As well as court room experience while serving as a Judicial Intern in Erie County Court.

While receiving her J.D. at the University at Buffalo School of Law, Ms. Bauerle was the Vice President of the Domestic Violence Task Force, a contributing editor for the Buffalo Public...

As a Senior Associate in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Real Estate Law practice, Raymond focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate financing transactions, commercial real estate transactions and development, title review and commitment preparation. He represents developers in subdivision acquisitions, and he represents lenders in commercial and residential mortgage transactions, as well as commercial and residential purchasers and sellers.

Raymond has extensive experience drafting residential and commercial contracts of sale, leases and mortgage documents including, but not limited to: commitment letters, promissory notes, mortgages, security agreements, assignment of rents and leases, environmental compliance and indemnity agreements, unlimited guarantees and UCC-1...

Marreana LaMorticella is an attorney who focuses her practice in HoganWillig’s Corporate and Business Law, Estates, Estates Planning & Elder Law and Real Estate Law departments. Ms. LaMorticella graduated from Niagara University and Syracuse University College of Law. While receiving her J.D. at Syracuse University College of Law, Ms. LaMorticella was part of the Intellectual Property Law Society, Entertainment & Sports Law Society, and Corporate Law Society. Prior to joining HoganWillig as an attorney, Ms. LaMorticella worked as a Law Clerk for Rich Products Corporation. Amongst many accomplishments, Ms. LaMorticella was a Student Attorney for Wohl Family Veterans Legal Clinic and a...

Douglas Gawel is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Estate Planning & Elder Law Departments, with an emphasis on Estate Administration, Probates, Trusts, and Last Will & Testament litigation. Mr. Gawel obtained his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law, in Pittsburgh, and his undergraduate degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Douglas has been admitted to practice law in New York and Pennsylvania and is a current member of those States’ Bar Association. Mr. Gawel’s prior experience at smaller firms taught him the importance of being able to handle a client’s case from inception to...

A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Buffalo Law School, Mr. Ieraci has been a practicing attorney in the Buffalo/Niagara region since 1988. A lifelong resident of western New York, he has dedicated his practice to the representation of individuals with common legal issues.

Divorce, Real Estate & Bankruptcy Lawyer Serving Buffalo, NY

For more than 30 years, Frank S Ieraci has been representing clients throughout Buffalo, NY. While he concentrates his practice in bankruptcy, custody and divorce cases, he offers representation for all kinds of areas of the law. Additional practice areas include real estate and wills...

For over 15 years Darren Swetz has been helping individuals and business navigate a range of legal issues to help them achieve financial success, economic stability or a fresh start. At Tully Rinckey PLLC he is a Partner who represents New Yorkers with the preparation of wills, trusts and advanced directives; Medicaid planning; and real estate transactions and leases. Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, Mr. Swetz served as Managing Partner at Kelly & Swetz for more than a dozen years, where he focused his practice on wealth management and asset preservation. Before that he operated...

John F. Leone has practiced over 25 years in the practice areas of pensions, qualified retirement plans, wills, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and residential and commercial real estate. He received both his J.D. and B.S. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In connection with his wills and estates practice, John has successfully defended proponents of wills subject to will contests, contested wills on behalf of beneficiaries, and has filed claims relating to breaches of fiduciary duty by individuals using a power of attorney for their own benefit. John is a frequent author of articles...

Helping clients with estate planning and probate matters. Services include: Estate Planning including: Wills Trusts Power of Attorney documents Health Care Proxies/Living Wills Various other legal arrangements and documents needed with estate planning matters Probate Estate Administration The office is located on Main Street in the Village of Williamsville, NY with ample parking on the side and back of the building as well. There is a wheelchair accessible ramp into the building and the office is on the one and only first floor. Appointments can be made to fit scheduling needs. Email: ruth@ruthpgeorgelaw.com

I am the founder and principal attorney at the McGrath Law Firm located in Buffalo, New York. Prior to entering law school, I earned a B.A., Summa Cum Laude, in Psychology from Kean University. I attended law school at SUNY Buffalo School of Law. My firm is a full-service general practice firm that is equipped to handle all legal needs.

I currently focus my practice in HoganWillig’s Estate Planning & Elder Law department. I practice in areas of probate estates, estate planning, trusts and guardianship law. Prior to joining HoganWillig, I practiced in the areas of medical malpractice defense and workers’ compensation defense law. I received my Juris Doctor degree in 2012, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Before law school, I was an executive with a workflow software firm in Rochester, New York. Honors & Awards 2011 Niagara International Moot Court, editor and writer for 2nd place winning brief...

With an impressive career roster, and a recognized leader in the local community, the other principal attorney at Voelkl Law is Jeffrey F. Voelkl, Esq., LL.M. His experience in New York State law is an asset to every one of the Voelkl Law clients. Voelkl is a member of the New York Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society, New York State Defenders Association, Admission to Bar Committee, Young Lawyers Committee, and Justice Court Committee. He was also elected as Village Justice for the Village of Williamsville (2003) and was appointed Acting Justice of...

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

My name is Nicholas Andrews. I decided to become a lawyer when I was a junior in high school. Before that, I never really knew what I wanted to be. In elementary school I thought I would be a fireman because they drove cool trucks, or maybe an “army guy” like my big brother. In junior high, I thought about being a chemist. But I quickly discovered I was not cut out for that. Nothing else really appealed to me, until I heard someone mention how someone else would make a good lawyer. That got me thinking that maybe I...

Danielle DeJoseph is an Associate Attorney at Pfalzgraf Beinhauer Grear Harris Schuller LLP. Her practice is focused in the areas of Probate, Estate Administration, and Estate Planning. Danielle was admitted to the Bar in the state of New York in 2018 and is a member of the Erie County Bar Association. She has been practicing as an estate attorney in Western New York for four years. Danielle graduated summa cum laude from Buffalo State College in 2013 with a major in English Literature. She received her legal education at the University at Buffalo School of Law, where she graduated with a J.D....