Top best C Lawyers in ZIP 14203 | 334 available

Dan Cavarello is a Partner with Sugarman Law Firm, specializing in the defense of claims against municipalities, school and fire districts and related entities, as well as those involving private companies. These include negligent supervision, civil rights, premises defects, product liability and property damage claims. He has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the Department of Labor and other agencies as well. Mr. Cavarello's experience also includes municipal zoning and planning issues.. Mr. Cavarello, who currently serves as Tonawanda Town Justice, has significant alternative dispute resolution experience and is available to serve as a mediator.  Mr. Cavarello was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996 and has practiced before all New York State and Federal District Courts. He is a member of the Erie County and New York State Bar Associations, including the Municipal Law Section, and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. His other professional memberships include the New York State Magistrates, Erie County Magistrates, Western New York Trial Lawyers and Buffalo Claims Associations. Mr. Cavarello is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Boston College where he received both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees, with honors, in1992 and 1995, respectively. Mr. Cavarello is an active member of the Tonawanda, New York community where he served as Town Attorney from January, 2006 until August 2010, when he was appointed Town Justice. He was subsequently elected to a four year term and continues to hold that office. He is also past President and Trustee of the Kenmore Tonawanda School Board.. He also volunteers as an instructor at St. John the Baptist Church in Tonawanda and is a member of its Holy Name Society.

Damon M. Gruber chairs the firm’s rapidly growing Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. He has led the team since its inception, and over the past 15-plus years, has developed a cohesive workers’ compensation program that allows the group’s attorneys to partner with clients and proactively reduce the risk of workers’ injuries.. As part of his progressive practice, Damon has counseled clients extensively and has implemented firm-wide initiatives that assist companies with a wide range of matters, including opioid reduction, permanency awards, and return-to-work issues.. He and his team now serve as a partner to many national self-insured companies, including those in the construction, retail, trucking, and manufacturing industries. As the leader of the Workers’ Compensation group, Damon works closely with the firm’s other practice groups to ensure clients receive coordinated representation for all their legal needs.. His background in the field includes all aspects of the claims process, from providing initial handling recommendations to overseeing every stage of the litigation process. He also has extensive appellate experience in cases involving sports law, hearing loss, psychological stress, and insurance coverage issues.. Damon is a prominent speaker and author on all aspects of workers’ compensation law. He has spoken at SEAK’s annual workers’ compensation conference, chaired an ExecuSummit seminar, and has been extensively involved in other legal and business organizations.

Concentrating her practice in toxic tort insurance defense, Jessica works extensively with defendants alleged to have sold "asbestos-containing components" and provides experienced legal advice to a wide range of asbestos clients. These include equipment and friction manufacturers and retailers. This work involves coordinating a team of attorneys and paralegals in managing discovery and preparing cases for trial in high volume, document intensive cases. Jessica handles all aspects of non-asbestos litigation including other product liability matters, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, labor law injuries, coverage litigation, and dog bite claims. Jessica has tried one bench trial to a directed verdict and second chaired two jury trials to verdict. On a more individual level, Jessica works as an Attorney for the Child, and represents parents in custody, visitation, and neglect/abuse cases in Family Court. Over a decade in Family Court has afforded numerous, numerous opportunities for trials.. Jessica reviews each case details individually and tries to identify early cases that could be problematic. She prepares each case for trial, in the event it is necessary, but finds effective and cost-efficient solutions to cases wherever possible. Jessica is always focusing on the details, while keeping the larger goals in mind.. Jessica is a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Niagara and Erie County Bar Associations, the New York State Bar Association, and the Bar Association of the Tonawandas (former President). She is admitted to the State Bar of New York as well as the United States District Court (Western and Northern), and Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York. Jessica presented at the DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar in Las Vegas in November, 2011; New Orleans in November 2013; San Francisco in November 2014; and Las Vegas in 2017. She is looking forward to presenting at DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar in Austin, Texas this coming November. Jessica serves as the marketing chair for DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar. She was named a Rising Star Super Lawyer five consecutive years, from 2014-2018.. A native of Buffalo, Jessica is a graduate of the Nichols School, Canisius College, and University at Buffalo Law School. In her spare time, Jessica teaches ballet and has coordinated groups of high school dancers to perform at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Christopher Belter, a senior trial partner at Goldberg Segalla, dedicates his practice to resolving complex commercial, construction, and intellectual property disputes. He has represented clients in courts and arbitration forums in more than a dozen states over the course of his two-decade career, during which he has taken more than 100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award. He is the chair of Goldberg Segalla’s Corporate Services and Commercial Litigation Practice Group, a team of 50-plus lawyers practicing across the firm's entire footprint, and chair of its 40-member Construction Practice Group.. In the commercial litigation arena, for which he and his team are recognized in the Chambers USA Upstate New York directory, Chris has achieved successful outcomes for a broad range of companies in complex disputes involving contractual relationships, misappropriation and fraudulent conveyance, commercial leases, licensing, claims of tortious interference, and other issues. He also defends directors and officers in matters involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and bad faith, as well as claims brought by the FDIC and the SEC.. With experience handling dozens of cases involving claims of trademark and copyright infringement, he is particularly adept at helping companies enforce their intellectual property rights and protect their invaluable brands.. In construction litigation, an area for which he is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, Chris handles breach of contract, delay and acceleration, design and construction defect, performance and payment bond, and other high-value claims for contractors, construction managers, and others in connection with large-scale private and public construction projects. He has extensive experience with complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution involving major solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects.. He is a longstanding member of the Commercial Litigation Steering Committee at the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the largest organization of defense attorneys in the country, and a past national chair of its Construction Committee. He co-authored the New York chapter in DRI’s Construction Litigation Desk Reference: A State-by-State Compendium, and he is a frequent speaker to national audiences on minimizing damages in contract disputes, litigation strategies in lawsuits combining business tort and intellectual property claims, and other topics in his areas of concentration.. Experience HighlightsCommercial LitigationDefending at trial in the Delaware Court of Chancery a corporation’s directors and officers against breach of fiduciary duty and more than 10 other claims brought by certain shareholders over a disputed business mergerObtaining for an owner of music royalties a rare multimillion-dollar recovery in a complex misappropriation and fraudulent conveyance action that reached across both domestic and foreign jurisdictionsDefending a $13 million commercial claim against a top soft drink manufacturer over the termination of a New York City distribution routeDefending a multimillion-dollar breach of contract and improper termination claim brought by a studio owner against the producer of a major-network television showDefending the manufacturer of one of the world’s most popular sport drinks against a competitor’s $15 million tortious interference claimDefeating through motion practice an injunction that sought to shut down six major metropolitan locations of a national pizza chainObtaining summary judgment for a construction supply manufacturer on complex warranty claims for roofing materialsSuccessfully guiding a value-added reseller of a major software suite through investigations conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Defense, and other entities following the acquisition of the software developer by a computer industry giantDefeating through motion practice a prospective class action alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Construction LitigationSecuring a $70 million arbitration award for a national renewable energy contractor in a complex construction development dispute that involved issues of public bond and federal grant financing, construction delays and design deficiencies, claims of liquidated and consequential damages, and construction trust fund misappropriation; the award was rendered after extensive litigation and two months of arbitration hearingsRecovering through arbitration more than $4 million for a wind energy transmission contractor in a case involving major change order and delay and acceleration claims related to a stormRepresenting a pipeline installation contractor in disputes totaling over $100 million involving natural gas pipelines serving the hydrofracking industry; the case involves major delay claims, back-charge claims related to earth-slips, and complex and novel issues regarding the scope of the lien lawRepresenting a construction manager in an arbitration arising out of claims asserted by a private university for construction defects involving masonry, roof, and building envelope issuesObtaining summary judgment in favor of a commercial financer of hotels and resorts in a multimillion-dollar dispute over the financing arrangement for the construction of a timeshare property. Intellectual Property LitigationDefending a modeling agency in a jury trial in the Southern District of New York against copyright infringement and tortious interference claims brought by a photographer seeking over $10 million in damagesDefending a regional craft brewery against claims of trademark infringement from a nationally distributing breweryRepresenting a major tobacco company in a trademark infringement case against sellers of counterfeit cigarettes, resulting in the successful seizure of all counterfeit product, recovery of several hundred thousand dollars in statutory damages, and a permanent injunction

Christina Hassler focuses her practice on workers’ compensation, drawing on experience earned protecting the interests of insurers in private practice and as senior staff attorney at one of the nation’s largest property casualty insurers.. Tina’s effectiveness at serving her clients and aiding her colleagues is built on an ability to look at the “big picture” — including changing laws, regulations, and case law, as well as a firm’s or company’s overall strategies and long-term goals — while maintaining a mastery over the facts and details of the individual cases she handles. In her nearly 20-year career Tina has managed a consistently high volume of workers’ compensation matters — often up to 45 cases in a month. Tina has handled thousands of medical depositions and trial hearings involving lay witness litigation, no-fault litigation depositions, motion hearings on issues of subrogation, small claims court matters, and unemployment hearings. An exceptional negotiator and litigation manager, she has also presented and summarized cases to judges, filed memoranda of law, and drafted appeals in New York State Workers’ Compensation Court.. Tina brings to her clients at Goldberg Segalla a special insight and understanding from over six years as senior staff attorney to a major national insurer, implementing and managing the workers’ compensation practice there. In that role Tina collaborated with offices throughout the country to ensure consistent practice standards and procedures; ensured proper Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Freedom of Information Law request compliance; and cross-trained litigation, workers’ compensation, and subrogation departments on the interplay of legal issues in insurance coverage. A frequent speaker who has presented on New York State Workers’ Compensation Law and related issues before industry leaders, she has also trained management and employees on effective negotiation of settlements, updated case law, and file strategies.. Tina carries that in-house counsel point-of-view with her into private practice, which reinforces trust as a priority of the attorney-client relationship. She remains committed to evaluating the programs she has designed and managed and the services she provides against standard metrics and — above all else — client expectations.

Cheryl Possenti is a founding partner of Goldberg Segalla and has more than 30 years’ experience in the defense of complex personal injury actions. With a practice that focuses on product liability matters and related litigation, plus extensive experience that includes defending high-profile, high-exposure class actions and professional and medical malpractice claims, Cheryl helps clients navigate the regulatory terrain set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other agencies.. A respected counselor to the makers of toys and other children’s products, small appliance manufacturers, and many others, Cheryl assists clients in maintaining CPSC compliance, manages product safety litigation, helps coordinate effective product recalls — both limited and widespread — and advises on mandatory government reporting and the assessment of civil penalties. Over the course of the past 20 years, she has handled more than 150 issues involving the CPSC, and serves as counsel to two of the world’s foremost toy and children’s products manufacturers.. Cheryl has handled various types of professional malpractice actions — including pharmacy malpractice, dentist malpractice, physical therapy malpractice, veterinary malpractice, and nursing malpractice — as well as licensing and disciplinary actions for health care providers. She has also represented a number of major hospitals in medical malpractice cases as self-insured entities.. Cheryl is a sought-after speaker and writer on product safety issues and is the past Chair and Panel Counsel Liaison of the Children's Products Specialized Litigation Group of the Defense Research Institute's (DRI) Product Liability Committee. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE). Amongst her many other accolades and commendations, in 2014, Cheryl was named a Client Choice Awards winner by the International Law Office and Lexology. She holds the distinction of being the only lawyer in New York State — and one of just five in the United States and nine in the world — to be recognized in the product liability category. These unique awards are based solely on nominations and feedback by clients and in-house counsel.

Brian Sutter is a Partner with Sugarman Law Firm and manages the firm's Buffalo office. He concentrates on advising and representing architects, engineers, surveyors, attorneys, physicians and other health care providers in the defense of claims brought against them. He has additional experience handling product liability claims, municipal claims, general liability claims, insurance issues, personal injury claims, wrongful death cases and toxic torts. He has also been selected to act as a mediator and an arbitrator in a variety of matters.. Mr. Sutter is admitted to practice before all New York State courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.. Since 2011, Mr. Sutter has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in the field of Professional Liability Defense by the magazine Super Lawyers, a distinction based on peer recognition and professional achievement.. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.B.A. Finance) and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, he is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Sutter has served as President of the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association.. Mr. Sutter is active in Sugarman's accredited program as a continuing education provider of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and has lectured on such topics as BIM, AIA Contract Documents and Contractual Indemnification Issues as they relate to Design Professionals. Mr. Sutter has also spoken on the topic of Opening Statements in the Trial of a Construction Site Accident Case on behalf of the New York State Bar Association.. Mr. Sutter has served as the Vice President of Travel Soccer for the Delaware Soccer Club in Buffalo, NY, and has also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Brett Miller focuses his practice on workers’ compensation matters. A proven litigator with experience handling high-volume caseloads, Brett has handled all aspects of workers’ compensation matters, including controverted cases, drafting memoranda of law, writing appeals and rebuttals, litigating permanency, and negotiation and settlement where appropriate.. Brett graduated cum laude from the University at Buffalo Law School where he clerked for Buffalo Human Rights Law Review. Brett also held clerkships with Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, in the Office of Assistant Chief Counsel in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and in private practice.

Bradley Stevens defends insured businesses, municipalities, and individuals in a variety of complex liability matters in state and federal trials and appeals throughout New York, and also represents clients before the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Small Claims Court.. Brad’s experience includes counseling and defending numerous municipalities and public entities in matters ranging from inmate confinement conditions to employment discrimination claims. He has successfully drafted and submitted motions for summary judgment resulting in dismissals in both state and federal court, assisted with and second-chaired trials in complex employment practices liability (EPL) matters, and drafted and argued winning appeals before the Third and Fourth Departments of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division. He has also handled toxic tort matters related to lead paint claims.. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Elmira College, Brad earned an M.B.A. at St. Bonaventure University. He earned his J.D. at Albany Law School, where he served as Note and Comment editor for the Journal of Science and Technology. He graduated cum laude, and was also the Karen C. McGovern Senior Prize Trial Competition Champion. Before entering private practice, Brad gained experience in several legal internships, including with the New York State Attorney General’s Office Litigation Bureau.

As a member of the firm’s Business and Commercial Practice Group, James Macri focuses his practice on helping a range of commercial clients find innovative, cost-effective ways to resolve their legal disputes through strategies that include litigation, arbitration, or mediation.. James handles a wide variety of matters for commercial developers and other clients in the construction industry, including complex construction defect claims and contract disputes, among others. He also resolves difficult landlord/tenant disputes and handles franchising and licensing issues for clients in the sports and entertainment and hospitality industries. He is a regular contributor to the firm’s Sports and Entertainment Law Insider blog, and frequently writes on matters pertaining to his legal practice.. While earning his J.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, James was a judicial intern for the Niagara County Court, where he wrote opinions for criminal and civil appeals and participated in court proceedings and conferences. James finished in the top 10 percent of his class and served as executive business editor for the Intellectual Property Law Journal.. He also received a Master of Business Administration degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, finishing in the top 10 percent of his class.

Anna Marie Richmond is a solo practitioner, based in Buffalo, New York who focuses her practice on protecting her clients' civil and constitutional rights in federal and New York State Courts, and before administrative agencies. She represents clients who have suffered discrimination prohibited by New York and Federal law.  She litigates cases involving employment discrimination, housing discrimination, LGBTQ issues, police misconduct, sexual harassment, access to public accommodations, discrimination in education, retaliation under the anti-discrimination laws, prisoner civil rights, and similar issues.

Albert D’Aquino is one of Goldberg Segalla’s founding partners and Co-Chair of its General Liability Practice Group,  one of the firm’s largest practice groups. A seasoned trial lawyer who has served clients throughout New York for more than 30 years, Al tries — and wins — cases against the most experienced and respected plaintiffs’ attorneys in the state. He brings a goal-oriented approach to pre-trial and trial proceedings, which stands as a hallmark of his proactive, cost-effective litigation style. Within the firm, Al uses the keen insight he has gained through his decades of experience in the state and federal courtrooms of New York to teach trial technique to associates across the firm’s footprint.. In his multi-faceted law practice, Al successfully defends clients in complex product liability and premises and construction site personal injury litigation (involving New York State Labor Law). He has also represented hundreds of attorneys and physicians, as well as major pharmacy chain and other health care clients, in high-stakes malpractice litigation, and he represents insured and self-insured trucking common carriers and private fleets. Al also defends clients embroiled in catastrophic injury litigation, such as multiple-fatality auto and serious industrial accidents, and is regularly called upon to parachute into existing cases specifically for trial.

A graduate of Rutgers College (B.A. 1971) and Creighton University Law School (J.D. 1974), Mr. LaTona is admitted to practice in numerous courts, including New York State (1975); the United States District Court for the Western District of New York (1975), the Eastern District of New York (1986), the Northern District of New York (2001); the Southern District of New York (2003), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1976), the Seventh Circuit (1985); the Federal Circuit (1986); the United States Supreme Court (1979); the United States Tax Court (1983).. Mr. LaTona's list of notable cases includes some of Western New York's most highly publicized and most compelling cases involving allegations of fraud, conspiracy, murder and criminally negligent homicide. Mr. LaTona's practice has always included involvement in complex white collar and electronic surveillance investigations and prosecutions.. Mr. LaTona is a member of the New York State Bar Association ("N.Y.S.B.A."), the Erie County Bar Association ("E.C.B.A."), the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has lectured numerous times for the N.Y.S.B.A. and the E.C.B.A. Mr. LaTona has achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV rating. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh and Smith, Woodward-White in each edition since 1987. In 2014, Mr. LaTona was voted Best Lawyer's Lawyer of the Year in White Collar Criminal Defense in Buffalo, NY. Mr. LaTona was selected for the 2008 New York Super Lawyers - Upstate Edition. He was the subject of a feature article in the September 2008 New York Super Lawyers - Upstate Edition magazine. Mr. LaTona was selected for the “Legal Elite of Western New York 2014”, “Buffalo Business First” and the “Buffalo Law Journal.”  He has been listed among the Top 50 Upstate Super Lawyers from 2008 - 2014.