Albion Lawyers

Bridget is here to make your job easier: she is knowledgeable about the law; she helps clients reach consensus about their objectives; and fiercely advocates for her clients. Bridget O'Toole represents municipalities, community groups, individuals and businesses in a range of matters related to municipal law, renewable energy project siting, land use, zoning, and environmental litigation. She is admitted in New York State as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and...

Attorney Emanuel Mouganis has the accolades you and your family can trust, including being ranked by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of New York. He is also ranked by the American Institute of Family Attorneys as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in the State of New York and has a perfect rating by AVVO. He is also ranked by the American Institute of Criminal Attorneys as one of the Top 10 Criminal Law Attorneys in the State of New York. Prior to becoming a...

My name is Mike Ranzenhofer. I assist residents of the Buffalo and WNY area with their legal needs in three specific practice areas, injury law, divorce and family law and DWI and other crimes. I am one of the managing partners of Friedman & Ranzenhofer. Our firm has been helping Buffalo and WNY area folks since the late 1950's so it's likely we've helped a family member or friend in the past. In fact, we're told numerous times weekly just that. Area residents come to us for help for three reasons. 1. We provide exceptional...

Since 2006, the Law Firm of Tina Foster has been a leader in representing businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals affected by post-9/11 national security policies and discrimination. Our firm specializes in finding innovative solutions to complex legal problems and has successfully represented clients in many sensitive matters, including: International business transactions and sanctions compliance Internal and government investigations Complex federal litigation Business formation and non-profit compliance Repatriation and resettlement of foreign nationals Political asylum International law Employment discrimination Civil rights and constitutional law Our clients come from across the globe, most often from the United States,...

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.

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Chris O'Brien is a seasoned Buffalo personal injury lawyer and one of the founding partners at O'Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. He is one of WNY's most experienced and successful trial lawyers. He has built a reputation over thirty years of being client-focused. Having taught both locally, nationally and internationally, Chris brings the latest and most effective trial tactics to every case, resulting in more than 98% of his cases settling before trial. He never charges for an initial appointment and takes the time to explain the law to all of his clients.

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.

Michael A. Ponterio is a founding partner of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Since 1985, Mr. Ponterio has represented families who have suffered injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos. He also practices in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, defective products and motor vehicle accidents. Mr. Ponterio has dedicated his practice to securing justice for clients who have suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Since 1985, Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford has obtained over one billion in settlements or verdicts on behalf of the firm’s clients. Mr. Ponterio has been representing people suffering from mesothelioma caused by asbestos for...

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...

William A. Lorenz, Jr., joined HoganWillig as an Associate Attorney in the fall of 2013. He currently focuses his practice in the areas of Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, and Real Estate Law.

Mr. Lorenz brings a variety of legal experience with him to HoganWillig, having worked in the areas of civil litigation, criminal practice, family law, intellectual property law, landlord-tenant law, and real estate law. Since admission to the New York State Bar, Mr. Lorenz has appeared in courts in both Erie and Niagara County on various matters, including evictions and civil litigation. Recently, he lobbied in Albany for the Child...

The first-generation son of immigrants, Matthew Borowski is a knowledgeable and compassionate lawyer. He has been featured on news media outlets including CNN, NBC, ABC, and The Buffalo News for his asylum and refugee work. Matthew is licensed in both the U.S. (New York) and Canada (Ontario). Borowski Witmer Immigration Lawyers has locations in Buffalo, NY and in Springfield, VA. He is well-versed in immigration matters including deportation defense, family and business immigration including NAFTA/TN visas and rehabilitation/waivers, federal criminal defense, and post-conviction relief. He appears before Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, New York state courts and...

Kevin Mahoney received his B.A., Ed.M and J.D. all from the State University of New York at Buffalo. As a member of Tiveron Law's Family and Criminal Law Departments, Mr. Mahoney regularly assists individuals who are in a very difficult time of their lives. He believes it is his task to calmly offer skilled advice and perspective during what is often a difficult or emotionally charged situation. In the area of family law, Mr. Mahoney and his colleagues assist individuals with family court proceedings which most commonly involve custody/visitation and/or paternity and support proceedings. They also assist individuals in all aspects...

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...

Alexandria Awad is a litigation attorney in Tiveron Law’s Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice departments. Ms. Awad has dedicated her legal career to representing clients and their families in personal injury matters, including motor vehicle crashes, premises liability, construction site and workplace injury, mesothelioma, and medical malpractice actions. Alexandria earned her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. During law school, she served as a law clerk with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and to the Honorable Paula Feroleto, Administrative Judge of the Eighth District of New York. Ms....

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...

Keli Iles-Hernandez is an attorney with Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham’s Matrimonial & Family Law Department. She handles divorces, separations, adoptions and Assisted Reproductive Technology matters, custody, child support, and other related proceedings; with experience representing families with diverse family dynamics and LGBTQ legal matters. Ms. Iles-Hernandez also currently serves on the Attorneys for Children Panel (4th Judicial Department) representing children in child abuse, neglect and custody matters.

Keli Iles-Hernandez brings a vast variety of life experience with her to Rupp Baase, having served in the U.S. Army for 4 years as an active-duty Medic and then as a Special Education...

Daniel J. Henry, Jr. a partner in the firm Villarini & Henry, L.L.P., is a former Erie County Assistant District Attorney who concentrates his practice in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury/Negligence claims. He has extensive experience defending the rights of people arrested and accused of criminal offenses both in State and Federal Court. He is one of a select group of attorneys who is eligible to handle Death Penalty cases. In addition, Mr. Henry represents clients facing Grand Jury investigations; witnesses called before State and Federal Grand Juries; clients charged under the Federal RICO Statute; clients charged with white-collar offenses;...

A skilled trial lawyer, Craig Small has been practicing law since 1995, and in the State of New York and Buffalo, New York since 1998. Craig Small's law firm, Small Law Firm, focuses its attention on representing injured people. Small Law Firm helps with injuries caused by car accidents, nursing home abuse, nursing home pressure or bed sores, fall-downs, biking, boating, and traumatic injuries including brain injuries, paralysis, fractures, and herniated discs. Craig Small has settled significant cases and has won verdicts throughout Western and Central New York. Small Law Firm is a small law firm...

John Ned Lipsitz is a founding partner of the Buffalo, New York law firm of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. He has represented workers suffering from industrial diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, since 1985. From 1981 through 1985, Mr. Lipsitz served on the clinical faculty of the Buffalo Law School of the State University of New York, where he instructed students in professional legal representation of consumer debtors, occupational safety and health law, constitutional rights and habeas corpus, and where he taught Research and Writing and Legal Ethics. Between 1979 and 1981, he was a staff attorney at the...

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...

Nina Juncewicz, Esq. has 25 years experience in representing those internationally seeking to obtain physical access to the United States market for commercial work and/or family reunification. Her experience was developed early as an outstanding scholar for the agency formerly known as INS at the U.S/Canadian border, and later in its Buffalo District Office’s litigation Department. This experience brought her first-hand knowledge of the technical nuances of complex U.S. immigration law and the government adjudication process which experience she uses for her client’s benefit. She later practiced business and family Immigration in a statewide corporate law firm before opening her...

Peter is the Managing Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Rochester Office, where he practices criminal defense.

With over 30 years of criminal defense experience, Peter has handled thousands of criminal cases, including violations, misdemeanors, felonies and appeals. He has primarily represented defendants in felony cases in both state and federal courts. Peter is certified as “learned counsel” in federal court capital cases. Prior to New York State’s abolishment of capital punishment, he was likewise certified to handle death penalty cases in state courts.

On multiple occasions, Peter has won acquittals or verdicts to lesser charges for clients charged with murder. Additionally, he...

Mr. Saraceno has offices in Buffalo, NY as well as Nashville, TN. He has handled many of the most high profile cases in Western New York over the last two decades, winning homicide trials, rape trials, kidnapping trials, assault trials, larceny trials and DWI/DUI trials. Mr. Saraceno has often appeared on national news networks like CNN, Fox News and the NBC Nightly News. Additionally, Mr. Saraceno has been featured on local television networks, the Buffalo News, and the Niagara Gazette defending his clients in high profile criminal defense cases.

Whether you are charged with a DWI/DUI or a...

My practice pattern at the Cimasi Law Office is focused on DWI, criminal defense, and traffic matters (e.g. speeding, mechanical violations, unlicensed operation, etc.) in courts across Western New York. I also represent clients on parole violations and landlord-tenant matters. I am a highly meticulous and diligent practitioner who seeks to provide dedicated service to each client, regardless how big or small the matter. I am always available by phone, and there is no fee for initial consultations.

I also teach courses in sociology and legal studies to undergraduates at the University at Buffalo ("UB") and Buffalo State College....

Alex M. Neurohr is an Associate Attorney currently focusing his practice in our Corporate and Business Department, handling contract formation and enforcement, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate matters regarding formation, restructuring, and dissolution.

Mr. Neurohr also assists our Real Estate Department with property-related matters, including partition actions and boundary disputes, post-closing issues, and mortgage foreclosures.

Mr. Neurohr received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Nova Southeastern University in 2011. He went on to obtain his Juris Doctor from State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, cum laude, in 2014.

Prior to joining HoganWillig,...