Melrose Lawyers

Attorney James L. Riotto has an impressive law enforcement background combined with substantial criminal defense experience. His extensive experience as a state trooper, within law enforcement, and in criminal prosecution provides a unique perspective that sets him apart from other Rochester criminal defense attorneys. Clients get the benefit of an attorney with a clear understanding of both sides of their legal issues.

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...

Heather is a Senior Attorney at Nave Law where her practice focuses on family and matrimonial law and civil litigation. Heather came to Nave Law Firm after working at another Syracuse law firm, where she was the firm’s lead matrimonial attorney for the Syracuse office. Heather has extensive experience litigating family court and matrimonial matters, including complex matters of custody and equitable distribution. Heather’s other professional experience includes working as a journalist, editor, and marketing manager. Heather is a member of the Attorney for the Child panel in Onondaga County, the Onondaga County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association,...

Nancy Delain is a registered patent attorney working in a solo practice in the historic Schenectady Stockade. Coming later in life to the practice of law, she was a technical documentation professional for over 20 years before attending law school, working mainly in the computer industry writing and editing end-user materials. She regularly practices before the US Patent & Trademark Office in both patent and trademark areas. Her practice encompasses transactional patent, trademark, copyright, trade dress, trade secret, franchise and licensing matters. She also practices regularly before the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York, handling Chapter...

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...

Brady and Nave Law have joined forces to strengthen the firm's expertise in Personal Injury law. As the Senior Attorney specializing in Personal Injury & Civil Litigation, Brady brings over ten years of courtroom experience across all regions of New York State. In the past nine years alone, he has successfully handled fourteen jury trials in twelve different counties, consistently achieving favorable outcomes in intricate and high-stakes litigation cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial disputes. During the initial decade of his career, Brady served as an associate and partner at the prominent statewide litigation firm, Smith, Sovik, Kendrick &...

Jonathan Cohn is a partner at Gerstenzang, Sills, Cohn & Gerstenzang. His practice is focused on criminal defense -- with an emphasis on alcohol-related offenses. This includes litigating difficult DWI cases where the outcome is of the utmost importance for his clients. In addition, Jonathan Cohn routinely lectures throughout the State on DWI topics.

Michael J. Catalfimo represents a diverse group of businesses and individuals in complex civil litigation and transactional matters involving Real Property Law, Creditors Rights, Business Law, Family Law, Trusts and Estates Law, and Municipal Law. He is a Partner in the law firm of Rowlands, LeBrou & Griesmer, PLLC. Mr. Catalfimo received his Juris Doctor Degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Boston College Law School in 1985, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif National Legal Honor Society and received the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Medal For Excellence in Advocacy and Outstanding Trial Advocacy. He earned...

A 2007 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, Ms. Gilmartin spent nearly 30 years in Technical and Operational roles for a variety of manufacturers before her career in the law. Her most recent non-legal role was as Vice President of Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs for a mid-sized adhesive film manufacturer based in the UK. Ms. Gilmartin knows firsthand as a business executive what is required of a legal counsel in a business environment and the breadth of experience to understand the subtle ramifications of the decisions concerning the businesses of her clients. As the former North...

Maria V. Morse, Esq., is an Associate Attorney in Nave Law Firm's Syracuse Office and practices in the areas of Family & Matrimonial Law and Education & School Law. Maria has years of experience representing parents and grandparents in Family Court cases in New York State regarding custody, visitation, and child support matters, adoptions, juvenile delinquency, family offense and domestic violence, as well as child abuse and neglect proceedings. Similarly, Maria also represents parents and educators involved in Office of Children and Family Services investigations, as well as administrative appeals from indicated findings and reports. She handles martial separation agreements, as well...

Christopher ("Chris") Luhn practices law primarily in New York's Capital Region, which is to say in the Upstate counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, and, oftentimes, in Warren and Washinton counties, as well. Chris moved to Saratoga Springs with his wife and two step-children Immediately after completing his law studies at the University of Baltimore School of Law in June 1985. After passing both the Maryland and the New York Bar exams, he began practicing exclusively in the field of personal injury trial law until August 2000 when he joined the New York State Attorney General's Civil Litigation Trial...

Lee Kindlon, the founding partner of the Kindlon Law Firm, has represented clients in some of the area's most high-profile criminal cases. From those hard-fought courtroom battles, he uses his experience to benefit clients across the legal spectrum. Lee's experience in civil litigation includes matters based on contract, fraud, civil rights violations and negligence. He has successfully resolved a number of high-value personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Lee's practice also includes the representation of corporations and professionals in white collar criminal cases. From preventative advice for companies to successful resolution for those charged with financial crimes, fraud or...

Maddy, a Syracuse native, grew up in the area and graduated from Liverpool High School. She pursued her higher education at Le Moyne College, majoring in political science and minoring in legal studies, criminology, and philosophy. Maddy actively participated in Le Moyne College’s Integral Honors Program, where she conducted in-depth research, wrote, and successfully defended her honors thesis titled “The Land of the Incarcerated and the Home of Racial Inequality: Mass Incarceration in the United States.” Graduating summa cum laude with the highest distinction from the Honors Program, Maddy's academic journey also included an internship with DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Law...

David focuses his practice on federal and private sector employment litigation, as well as landlord / tenant law, civil litigation, and appeals.

David has a strong record of success representing his clients in court and before federal and state administrative agencies. He understands that no two cases are exactly alike, and he works with his clients to try and achieve the best possible result based on the unique facts of their case. David litigates aggressively on behalf of his clients, while always taking the client’s own tolerance for risk into account in determining the appropriate litigation strategy.

Shalini Natesan focuses her practice in the areas of Business Law, Hospitality Law, Municipal Law, and Real Estate Law. Ms. Natesan is equipped with over 10 years of experience in Corporate Law and has handled business matters, such as change of ownership, buy-sell agreements, drafting the necessary documents for all business and corporate formations and transactions, while also creating subsidiary entities to handle specific areas of businesses throughout New York State and the Northeast. Additionally, Ms. Natesan has worked in navigating very large commercial real estate transactions, including the purchase and sale of real property, rental/lease agreements, and bank representation. Shali has...

Michelle practices exclusively in the field of matrimonial and family law, concentrating on matrimonial and family law, custody, domestic violence, and interstate issues. She has extensive experience representing clients in both Supreme and Family Court.

Family Law Practitioner in Albany, New York. I have litigated all manner of divorce, child custody and child support cases. Specific experience in high net worth dissolution matters.

Justin M. Lange is a young, intelligent and knowledgeable attorney who is motivated to defend his clients’ rights and interests. From the onset of his legal career, he has been passionate about defending individuals facing DWI, traffic, and criminal charges. He 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. He provides 24-7 access to his clients so when they are in need, he is always available. Justin is always trying...

Teresa G. Donnellan is the managing partner of DONNELLAN & KNUSSMAN, PLLC. Attorney Donnellan is a graduate of Albany Law School and has more than 25 years experience in matrimonial and family law, both in litigated court proceedings and collaborative law matters. Teresa has been a member of the Saratoga County and Warren County Attorney for Children panels throughout her career in the Capital District and served as the Saratoga County Attorney for the Child Liaison. Teresa is an active member of multiple area organizations such as: the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, the Saratoga County Bar...

L.J. D’Arrigo is a Partner & Co-Leader of the Immigration Practice Group at Harris Beach, PLLC, one of the country’s Top 250 law firms. Although his practice is nationwide, he is based at Harris Beach's Capital Region & New York City offices. L.J. specializes in corporate/professional immigration involving employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions, as well as family-based immigration. L.J. is counsel to the largest system of universities in the U.S., the largest public health care system in the U.S., and the largest commercial landscape company in the U.S. He represents our nation's top employers, including state university & hospital systems,...

Perry co-founded Green Light Law Group in 2015. He is a corporate and environmental attorney with almost 20 years of experience providing compliance advice as well as legal direction to public and private entities. Perry has served as both outside and in-house counsel to a variety of companies, investors, and government agencies throughout the United States, and has helped successfully launch several marijuana companies and projects. Perry’s years working on business processes, SEC, and environmental compliance, provide an intersectional qualification in the cannabis industry, where navigating compliance with complex regulatory implementation is a major barrier to entry and...

Matthew J. Simone is a partner at the law firm of Gerstenzang, Sills, Cohn & Gerstenzang. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Binghamton University in 2010 and graduated from Albany Law School in 2013. During Matthew’s tenure at Binghamton University, he majored in financial management, was a Division 1 Scholarship Athlete and captain of the baseball team in his senior year. In law school, Matthew interned at the Schenectady County Public Defender’s Office and the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Prior to joining the firm, Matthew was an associate attorney at a local firm where he practiced in the areas of DWI...

April is a Partner at Whiteman Osterman Hanna LLP. With over 20 years of experience, she is a seasoned litigator and trial lawyer. Her practice focuses in the areas of Matrimonial and Family Law, and Personal Injury including divorce, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, custody, family offenses and child support. April received her B.A., cum laude, from the State University at Albany in 1998. Her J.D. was earned, cum laude, from Albany Law School in 2001. April is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals For the Second Circuit, United States District...

Following admission to the New York State Bar, Andrew began his career as a criminal defense attorney. He worked with various public defender’s offices in the upstate New York area during this time, building his small practice in the process. Andrew is excited to be making this next step joining the team at the Nave Law firm and looks forward to aiding those who might need help in the Capital Region.

As a tax attorney at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, my role is to advise clients on how to reduce tax liability and limit exposure to additional taxes and penalties. I advise our business clients in many complex transactions, such as triangular mergers, spin-offs, and stock-for-stock acquisitions. I also assist our business clients in complicated planning issues, such as analyzing new markets tax credits, drafting opinion letters, and selling businesses and assets. I help clients avoid exposure to civil and criminal tax penalties at all stages from audit to trial. I have represented...

A graduate of the SUNY Buffalo Law School, Catherine D. Aughey, Esq. joined Faraci Lange in 2018. At the firm, Catherine focuses her legal practice on medical malpractice cases. She has experience in all phases of civil litigation including depositions, motion practice, hearings and medical malpractice trials.

Prior to joining Faraci Lange, Catherine practiced as an associate attorney in the Litigation Department at HoganWillig, where she started as a Law Clerk in 2014. She also interned at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Violence Bureau.

Catherine was selected by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as “New...

Scott Peterson is the founding partner at D’Orazio Peterson, a New York law firm dedicated to providing tenacious representation to individuals in serious personal injury, malpractice and employment discrimination cases. Mr. Peterson has represented clients in State and Federal courts throughout New York State, has been published in several publications including the New York Law Journal, and has frequently provided commentary for local and national media outlets. Mr. Peterson writes an "Employment Litigation" column for the Saratoga County Bar Association newsletter. A multi-time recipient of the Super Lawyers award for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation, Scott believes in providing...

Mr. John (“Jack”) Dennis is a seasoned CPA and law professional with an illustrious career in both law and accounting. Admitted to practice as an attorney in August of 1972, he achieved another milestone the same month by passing the CPA exam. He honed his skills while working alongside, renowned tax attorney, Louis Lombardi until Mr. Lombardi’s passing. Subsequently, Jack joined Peat Marwick & Co., where he excelled in both the audit and tax departments for several years. In 1977, Jack ventured into his own private practice, establishing his legal and accounting practices in the well-regarded firms of Dennis & Bloch...

Former prosecutor, who spent the last 27 years specializing in matrimonial and family law. An experienced mediator, Certified Divorce Specialist and collaborative divorce practitioner as well as a recognized expert in working with victims of domestic violence. I believe that legal battles are more harmful to families than helpful, and am passionate about helping people find ways to make their own decisions for their families, rather than leaving their outcomes in the hands of a stranger in a black robe. When court is unavoidable, I aim to educate and support people to make the legal process less costly, scary, uncertain,...

Jonathan D. Warner is the co-founder and managing partner at Warner & Warner, PLLC in Albany New York. Jonathan focuses his practice in the areas of Consumer Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosure Defense Law, Consumers’ Rights Law, and Mortgage Modification assistance. Prior to attending law school, Jonathan graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY Albany in 2007. Thereafter, Jonathan graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2011. During law school, Jonathan participated in the Jessup International Moot Court Team, served as an elected student leader in two student organizations, and worked as the Senior...

Lois is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University School of Law and graduated from McMaster University, summa cum laude. While at Hofstra, Lois participated in the Criminal Prosecution Practicum Clinic. Here, Lois gained hands-on experience with numerous types of offenses, including misdemeanor violations, and traffic infractions. Lois is particularly focused on assuring all clients receive continuous and comprehensive communication throughout their legal proceedings. She is licensed to practice law in New York.

Albany Divorce Lawyer With 15 Years of Experience- on your side. Divorce, whether it’s in Albany or any other part of New York State, is always a challenge. There are no winners in divorce. Both sides will walk away injured in some manner, either emotionally or financially. The idea is to have an experienced Albany Divorce Attorney like Andrew Wood standing by your side, to help minimize your pain and suffering, and to get you the best possible outcome.

After graduating from Manhattan College in 2009, Jacob began his career as a Special Education Advocate & Paralegal. For seven years he worked for a reputable Manhattan-based law firm that concentrates on advocating for students with special needs. As an Advocate, Jacob would often attend Committee on Special Education (“CSE”) meetings alongside parents, providing them with assistance in the development of their children’s Individual Education Programs (“IEP”) and/or 504 Plans. When disputes arose with local school districts, Jacob assisted attorneys in all phases of the administrative due process procedure provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"). This often...

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....

Paula M. Barbaruolo, Esq. is the Principal Attorney of the firm, and boasts over 25 years of experience in the Bankruptcy and debt reorganization fields. Ms. Barbaruolo received her Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and her J.D. degree from Albany Law School. Since 2014, Ms. Barbaruolo has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Albany Law School, teaching Consumer Bankruptcy. Ms. Barbaruolo is a regular lecturer in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, foreclosure prevention, and mortgage modification for numerous local bar associations, community groups, and legal service organizations. She also serves on the Northern District of New York Bankruptcy...

Provide closing and title services to national and local banks, mortgage companies, loan officers, brokers, and consumers. Write deeds, search titles, prepare and process closing documents, disburse settlement funds, and execute closings. Landlord-tenant law. Analyze legal liability of businesses and implement crucial policies necessary to safeguard against potential legal claims. Form domestic and foreign corporations and other business entities. Prepare various legal disclaimers and contracts essential to protect businesses including but not limited to employee handbooks, confidentiality agreements, and corporate resolutions. Represent parties at school meetings, mediation sessions, and due process hearings. Civil litigation. Select constitutional law and discrimination cases...

Scott T. Dillon is an Associate in the Bankruptcy department of Tully Rinckey PLLC. Scott focuses his practice on bankruptcy litigation, including Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 filings. He previously was an Associate of another Capital Region firm and a New York City International AMLAW 100 Firm. He has represented secured lenders, debtors, trustees, and creditor committees in consumer and commercial bankruptcies throughout the northeast corridor and has represented national lender institutions. Scott has extensive court experience client representation in U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, U.S. District Courts and N.Y.S. Supreme Courts. Scott has represented individuals and companies in all aspects...

Kimberly B. Allen opened her divorce and family law practice in 1995 in Garden City, Long Island. After ten successful years, she chose to relocate her home and her law office to enjoy the quality of life that the Capital Region offers.

Although she has extensive litigation experience in both Federal Courts and State Courts located on Long Island, the five boroughs of New York City, and Westchester, her practice concentrates in the Capital Region ranging from Colombia, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratpga Counties through Fulton, Essex and Montgomery Counties up through Warren and Washington Counties.

She is recognized...