Brainard Lawyers

I've been representing clients in the criminal and family courts of New York State since 1999, and I believe that being an attorney isn't a business, it's a craft that requires a sense of personal honor. I've tried cases from open-container violations to murders and, whatever the matter, I'll never leave you in the dark about your case, I'll give your case care and attention, and I'll never sell you out or do anything without your knowledge and consent.

Focusing on criminal defense and DWI.

Originally from Mechanicville, New York, and now living in Albany, Nicholas is an Associate working in our Business Law and Transactions and Health Law departments. Joining O&A in August of 2021, Nicholas focuses largely on business law topics and cannabis. Cannabis law is Nicholas’ passion, and he strives to provide guidance to applicants and licensees (including Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensaries (“CAURD”) and Adult-Use (“AU”)) who are uncertain and overwhelmed by the onerous requirements imposed by New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”) and the regulations implemented by New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”). Additionally, Nicholas advises clients...

Terence E. Shanley attended Loyola University in Rome, Italy and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. He received his law degree from Columbia University Law School. He is admitted to practice in all of the federal and state trial and appellate courts in New York State. He was a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department. Mr. Shanley is a member of the Rensselaer County, Albany County, and New York State Bar Associations. In addition he has been member of the Collaborative...

Michael J. Garry. Born Albany, New York December 29, 1949, admitted to bar, 1976, New York. Admitted Federal District Court, 1976. Education: Boston College (B.A., 1972); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D. 1975) Assistant Public Defender, Albany County, 1976-1980. Member: Albany County and New York Bar Associations, New York State Bar Association Real Property Section. Authorized to practice in all courts of New York State and United States District Court. Zoning Board Attorney for the Town of Colonie.

General Practice before all State and Federal Courts, Corporate and LLC Formation, Estate Planning, Probate, Residential and Commercial Real Estate,...

Fred Korkosz:

Admitted to practice in 1989
Winner of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY's Distinguished Service Award, 2002
Former Secretary of American Immigration Lawyer's Association Upstate New York Chapter
Continuing Legal Education Lecturer for the New York State Bar Association

Pam has been a Partner at O’Connell & Aronowitz since 1997 where she practices in our Personal Injury Litigation Department. She was the firm’s managing partner for fifteen years. Pam consistently obtains excellent results representing plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, automobile collisions, trucking crashes, dangerous products, abused children, and defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Pam recently settled an automobile collision involving a pedestrian for $4 million. She settled a pedestrian-construction case for $2.65 million. Pam co-counseled a trial for an $11 million verdict in a medical malpractice case involving sexually abused children. Pam obtained a $1.8...

Jenna is an Associate working in the Litigation Department of O'Connell & Aronowitz, P.C. During her law school career, Jenna was a Legal Intern with the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, as well as a Certified Legal Intern for the Albany County District Attorney's Office where she wrote appeals under supervision on behalf of the People to the Appellate Division, Third Department. Jenna earned her J.D. from Albany Law School with a Certificate in Civil Litigation with Honors. While at Albany Law School, Jenna was the recipient of the President's Scholarship and the...

Florence M. Richardson, who joined O’Connell and Aronowitz in January 2018, is Of Counsel with our firm and has dedicated herself entirely to the field of matrimonial law since she was admitted to practice in 1984. She focuses her practice on divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, child support, spousal support and equitable distribution. Before joining O’Connell and Aronowitz she was principal at Kahn and Richardson, an Albany law firm that focused exclusively on Family & Matrimonial law. From her decades of experience guiding and advising clients, Flo is well aware of the physical, emotional and financial burdens imposed by contested...

James is an Associate in our Trusts & Estates, Business, and Health Law departments. Before joining our firm in August 2024, James developed proficient skills and knowledge as a Senior Associate Attorney at a firm located in the Capital Region. This experience gave James the opportunity to engage with clients in a variety of legal matters, including, estate and long-term care planning, estate tax reduction strategies, estate and trust administration, real estate, corporate transactions and the formation of various business entities. He is dedicated to developing a plan tailored to fit the client’s specific needs and ensuring...