Hector Lawyers

Michael R. Daum counsels clients on the rules and regulations set forth under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regarding the design, administration, merger and termination of qualified and nonqualified pension plans as well as health and welfare plans. Through his counsel, Mike seeks to assist his clients avoid complex regulatory issues before they arise. In law school, Mike served as an extern for the Honorable David W. McKeague, Judge for the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. In addition, Mike served as research assistant for Mary A. Bedikian – Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program at...

Dennis Nave has been passionate about defending individuals facing DWI, traffic, and criminal charges for most of his legal career. Dennis approaches each of his client’s cases as unique and each person as his equal, always going the extra mile to ensure his clients are fully educated on their case and knowing they are receiving the best quality representation and best defense of their rights and interests. Dennis is the founding and managing partner for Nave Law Firm located in Syracuse, New York where he was born and raised. Dennis is devoted to staying in and serving his local community. Call him...

Find out what your case is really worth ! MOTORCYCLE Crashes, Car Crashes, Fall Downs, Dog Bites : A graduate of University of Toledo College of Law, class of 1995, Attorney Richard A. Nicotra concentrates his practice on all areas of personal injury, focusing on car accidents, dog bite incidents and slip and fall incidents. He is admitted in all New York State Courts, including the Western New York Bankruptcy Court and Federal Court. Attorney Nicotra has won multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and is the current President of the New York State Trial Lawyers –...

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,...

Thank you for considering my firm for your divorce or family law matter. I know the system and how to save you both time and money on your divorce.

Please contact me by phone or by email to schedule a free consultation.

I enjoy helping people transition in a difficult part of their lives. On average, I help about 100 people (per year) get divorced.

The fastest divorce I have done was about 30 days but (on average), a divorce takes between 60-90 days.

I have a proven track record of success, sound judgment and discretion.

As for our firm, we are conveniently...

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.

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...

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...

From New York City originally and now residing and practicing law in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Cohen has been successfully trying civil and criminal cases, including high profile civil rights and constitutional law cases, for over 30 years. In addition to corporate and individual litigation clients, he regularly represents local, state and federal law enforcement officers from various agencies, defending them in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings. Admitted to practice in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, he has been admitted pro hac vice to handle matters in many other states. Mr. Cohen is frequently brought in as...

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...

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...

Dzifa Gan is an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Real Estate Law Department; handling all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. Ms. Gan has varied legal experience having previously worked as a family and matrimonial attorney in London. Her priority across practice areas has always been her clients and ensuring that their needs are met.

Ms. Gan obtained her B.A. in Psychology and concurrently her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Western Australia in 2008. Ms. Gan is admitted to practice law in New South Wales, Australia; England & Wales, UK and New York State, USA.

Before joining HoganWillig,...

Mr. Johnsen is an attorney at Tiveron Law primarily focusing in the firm’s Litigation Department. While attending SUNY Buffalo Law School, Mr. Johnsen was part of the University’s Consumer Financial Advocacy Clinic and was the recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for his work with the program. While in law school, he was a clerk at New Era Cap Co., Inc. Following law school, Mr. Johnsen has gained exposure to several areas of his litigation practice, including special education claims against school districts, employment discrimination claims, general business disputes and work in Erie County Surrogate's Court on...

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...

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...

Practical, pragmatic advice and representation offered to clients to resolve real world complex problems.
Thoughtful dispute resolution and mediation services offered to litigants and their counsel.
Cost-effective strategies.
Depth of experience.
Individual focus.

The art of representing people.

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...

Mary T. Colwell (nee Pasqualino) graduated from Albany Law School of University in Albany, New York in 2001 with a concentration in Criminal Law. While at Albany Law School, Mary was a member of the Moot Court Board, the Women’s Law Caucus and Vice-President of the Italian-American Law Students Association. Ms. Colwell was admitted to the New Jersey State bar in December of 2001 and the New York State bar in January of 2002. She is also admitted in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the Northern District...

Introducing Tom Anelli, Your Expert Defender Against DWI Charges Unlocking nearly two decades of dedicated expertise, Tom Anelli stands as the Senior Partner at Tom Anelli & Associates—a distinguished practice entirely devoted to DWI defense. With a fervent commitment to refining the most effective strategies, Tom has honed his skills to protect individuals facing DWI allegations. Tom's remarkable achievements extend far and wide, including prestigious recognitions such as selection to Super Lawyers, the Nation’s Top One Percent, and the Nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Notably, Tom has received specialized training directly from National Patent Analytical Systems, the leading manufacturer of the breath-testing devices...

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...

We are Western New York's largest bankruptcy law firm. We have been in business for 25 years and have helped more than 15,000 individuals and businesses through the bankruptcy process. Our chapter 7 fees start at just $795, and we can file chapter cases with as little as $100 in legal fees up front. We offer free online bankruptcy evaluations, and we also offer free telephone consultations, which can generally be scheduled within 24 hours. We have 12 offices located in the Buffalo and Rochester region.