Monroe County Lawyers

Robert Michalak represents contractors, owners, and surety companies. His experience includes contract negotiations, bidding issues, project closeout consultation, mechanic's lien and trust fund filings and challenges, and claim prosecution and defense. Mr. Michalak also represents clients in structuring business and shareholder relationships, real estate development and commercial leases. He regularly represents clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

In addition to his Doctor of Jurisprudence, Mr. Michalak has degrees in mechanical and chemical engineering and has held engineering positions in county government and a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Michalak has been a business law lecturer at the University at Buffalo and a...

Michael T. Dwan is principal of The Law Offices of Michael T. Dwan. Mr. Dwan handles Real Estate transactions, Estate Planning and Criminal Defense. Mr. Dwan is one of the top trial lawyers in Erie County.

Mr. Dwan is the son of longtime Judge and trial attorney Timothy J. Dwan.

Mr. Dwan received his undergraduate degree from Niagara University, and received his J.D. from the University of Buffalo Law School. He has also served as an adjunct criminal justice professor at Erie Community College and is frequently asked to be a guest lecturer at the University of Buffalo.

For over 15 years Darren Swetz has been helping individuals and business navigate a range of legal issues to help them achieve financial success, economic stability or a fresh start. At Tully Rinckey PLLC he is a Partner who represents New Yorkers with the preparation of wills, trusts and advanced directives; Medicaid planning; and real estate transactions and leases. Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, Mr. Swetz served as Managing Partner at Kelly & Swetz for more than a dozen years, where he focused his practice on wealth management and asset preservation. Before that he operated...

Danielle DeJoseph is an Associate Attorney at Pfalzgraf Beinhauer Grear Harris Schuller LLP. Her practice is focused in the areas of Probate, Estate Administration, and Estate Planning. Danielle was admitted to the Bar in the state of New York in 2018 and is a member of the Erie County Bar Association. She has been practicing as an estate attorney in Western New York for four years. Danielle graduated summa cum laude from Buffalo State College in 2013 with a major in English Literature. She received her legal education at the University at Buffalo School of Law, where she graduated with a J.D....

Jeff is an experienced and proven Workers’ Compensation attorney. Before starting his own firm, Jeff focused his practice on workers’ comp law as a lawyer for another large law firm in Buffalo, NY. When it comes to Workers’ comp law firms in New York State, bigger is not better. Jeff Steenberg will provide the personal attention you and your family deserve. Call today and speak directly with Jeff Steenberg. Let us provide you with peace of mind today.

I am a 60-year veteran of the music industry and more recently designed and built special effects for Hollywood films. My earlier academic background is in Andean anthropology, and I graduated summa cum laude from the University Of New Mexico in 1989, with a special focus on linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and population genetics. After obtaining my Master's Degree in the same field from Cornell University in 1992, I began my work in the feature film industry, later enrolling in the Syracuse University College Of Law where I earned my Juris Doctor and began practicing law. As the quintessential country lawyer,...

I'm an affordable full service bankruptcy lawyer. I have helped 1,000’s of people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and all of Western New York. If you are behind on your car payment, mortgage or property taxes, please contact me to see if I can help you with these payments. If you have credit card debts you are struggling to pay, or if you have a judgment against you or your wages are being garnished, I can help you resolve these problems. Please contact me for free consultation to review your situation. I offer in...

I started Mazzu Law PLLC in 2020 as a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm for construction site injuries, auto and trucking accidents, and serious personal injury cases.

In 2009, after working for 10 years as a union ironworker, I suffered a serious spinal injury on a construction site. Rather than letting my injuries define me, I set out to carve my own path and completely redefine who I am and what I’m truly capable of. In 5 years, I completed an associates, bachelors, and a law degree.

In 2015, I started working with some of the top trial attorneys in...

Trevor M. Torcello is a shareholder of Gross Shuman who focuses his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, business transactions, agribusiness and working with emerging businesses. He brings a unique blend of legal experience and business acumen to every matter he handles and has extensive experience representing various parties in complex business transactions. Trevor has a broad background in civil litigation, mediation, and arbitration in handling disputes between businesses. He provides counseling to businesses on a number of current technology-driven issues, including addressing the use of technology and social media in the workplace. Trevor is active in the Western New...

John F. Leone has practiced over 25 years in the practice areas of pensions, qualified retirement plans, wills, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and residential and commercial real estate. He received both his J.D. and B.S. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In connection with his wills and estates practice, John has successfully defended proponents of wills subject to will contests, contested wills on behalf of beneficiaries, and has filed claims relating to breaches of fiduciary duty by individuals using a power of attorney for their own benefit. John is a frequent author of articles...

Kevin Lelonek joined Gross Shuman P.C. as a law clerk in May 2014 and then as an attorney in January 2017. He provides counsel to clients in the areas of business bankruptcy and reorganization as well as commercial and business litigation. He earned his M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management and his J.D. from the University at Buffalo Law School in 2016. He also earned his B.A. from SUNY Brockport in 2012.

Michael Kuzma is a solo practitioner in Buffalo. He has long viewed the law as being a tool to bring about social, political and economic change. For over three decades, Mike has fought to make government more open and accountable through use of the federal and state Freedom of Information (FOI) laws. He has litigated a number of FOI cases against agencies such as the CIA, FBI and New York State Department of Correctional and Community Supervision (DOCCS). Mike has represented Native American activist and political prisoner, Leonard Peltier, Jalil Muntaqim, Occupy Buffalo and Leslie James...

Harry J. Forrest is a shareholder attorney with Gross Shuman P.C. in Buffalo, New York. Mr. Forrest focuses his legal practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, fall-down accidents and wrongful death. He also practices in the areas of civil litigation, business counseling and long-term disability claims and appeals. He has successfully handled cases in both federal and state courts and has tried cases to verdict involving claims for personal injury, property damage, contract disputes and constitutional civil rights violations. Mr. Forrest is a graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport where he...

We have a small, general practice firm that knows our clients by name, not a number. We deliver personalized service in a variety of areas with a concentration representing injured and disabled people. Whether it be for Social Security Disability, Workers Compensation or other Personal Injury, we walk you through the process to get you the best results with the least worry.

I am a sole practitioner who has been specializing in Criminal Defense and Personal Bankruptcy Law for over 20 years. I handle all aspects of criminal law, including DWI defense and traffic matters.

I am admitted to practice in all of the courts of the State of New York, as well as the Northern District of New York.

Kelsey is a trial attorney with the Lynn Law Firm. Kelsey joined the Lynn Law Firm in 2017 from the United States Department of Justice, where he represented the United States as a trial attorney in high-profile civil disputes and trials. Before joining the Justice Department, Kelsey spent six years at two large law firms in the District of Columbia, handling complex commercial, criminal, and regulatory disputes. At the Lynn Law Firm, he brings this broad experience and unique strategic perspective to represent clients in personal injury, insurance coverage, products liability, contract disputes, antitrust/intellectual property, and other civil litigation matters.

Kelsey...

Melody Westfall is an esteemed attorney and the driving force behind Westfall Law, where she serves as the CEO and Managing Partner. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience in real estate, environmental law, and business development, Melody has solidified her reputation as a pre-eminent authority in the legal field, in both New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a U.S. Navy Veteran, Melody embodies the tenacity and discipline that sets her apart in the legal field; her dedication to her clients, combined with her unparalleled knowledge and resolute advocacy, has propelled Westfall Law to new...

Matthew L. Kolken is a trial lawyer with experience in all aspects of United States Immigration Law – including deportation defense before Immigration Courts throughout the United States, appellate practice before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Courts of Appeals. He is admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 1997.

Mr. Kolken has appeared nationally...

Jerry Gambino is an accomplished attorney representing injured workers since 1985. He has handled thousands of Workers Compensation cases since 1985.

Jerry’s goal has always been to achieve best possible result for his clients. This could be with or without litigation. With his extensive experience in handling Workers Compensation cases, Jerry definitely has the necessary skills to achieve excellent results for the injured workers he represents.

He takes pride in providing his clients a clear understanding of the complicated Workers Compensation system. No injured worker should try to navigate the Workers Compensation system on their own. With Jerry’s extensive experience and skills,...

Aggressive yet considerate. The case is about the client. That is my job and my pledge. You will receive all my efforts, experience and energies.

Representation of individuals and closely held businesses in the following practice areas: Family Law/ Divorce Child Support Business Formation Civil Litigation Wills and Trusts Vehicle and Traffic

I am a natural problem solver and my clients depend on this expertise to unravel complex legal situations to find a satisfactory solution. I focus with clients on their ultimate goal. Achieving that goal may include a litigation component, but I also explore with clients solutions that are less burdensome and less emotionally draining than litigation. I thrive on diverse legal problems and solutions, which drive me to take the necessary time to fully understand clients’ legal needs and goals.

I can help you obtain dual citizenship. If you are just starting your dual citizenship journey, I...

David Hammond is a partner attorney at Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC where he focuses on criminal offenses including drug, DWI, and traffic offenses. He is also the co-founder of a separate law practice, The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers, which is dedicated to defending clients that have been accused of traffic infractions, from simple traffic tickets like No Seatbelts or Inspection Stickers to more serious offenses like DWI or Failing to Yield. David will fight for you as you confront your legal challenge. Whether you are facing a serious criminal charge or a routine traffic ticket, a complicated custody matter or...

Prior to joining Porter Law Group, Marla worked as a civil litigator in Syracuse, New York focusing on personal injury and medical malpractice actions. In her prior role, she conducted all aspects of litigation including discovery, depositions, motions, court proceedings and appeals. Marla received her B.A. in Psychology, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University in 2013, and obtained her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2016. She has been admitted to practice in New York State, as well as the Northern and Western Districts of the United States District Court, and is a member of the Central...

Eric has nearly 30 years of experience litigating and trying serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, recovering millions of dollars for clients. After earning his law degree with honors in 1992, he clerked for a Federal District Court Judge before entering private practice. Currently residing in Jamesville, New York, Eric represents plaintiffs in state and federal courts in cases involving medical malpractice, vehicle collisions, construction accidents, and defective products. He has been actively involved with numerous bar associations, serving as President of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, and frequently lectures on developments in his...

Mary has over a decade of experience as a litigator in both state and federal courts, focusing on medical malpractice and complex personal injury actions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo in 2007 and her law degree from Albany Law School of Union University in 2010. Mary began her career at a prominent mid-size New York City law firm where she handled medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. She then served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York from 2015-2020, representing the U.S. in civil matters, including torts and overseeing...

My practice primarily focuses on DWI/DUI, criminal defense and traffic matters. These cases range from minor first time offenses to the most serious arrests including DWI, violent felony offenses, economic (white collar) crimes, and narcotics possession and distribution. As an attorney, I have handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases.

I started my career working as an Assistant District Attorney where I started out in the Law and Appeals Bureau. In the Law and Appeals Bureau I prepared several legal briefs and had the unique opportunity to argue cases in both the Appellate Division of...

Stefano Cambareri is the managing partner of the Syracuse, New York law firm of Cambareri & Cambareri, LLP and has managed the firm since its formation in 1999. His legal practice focuses on criminal matters, with an emphasis on DWI/DUI defense. Mr. Cambareri also represents clients charged in a wide variety of cases, including murder, narcotics possession/distribution and white-collar criminal offenses including tax fraud, falsification of business record and other theft type offenses. Prior to the formation of Cambareri & Cambareri, Mr. Cambareri spent nearly nine years as an Onondaga County Assistant District Attorney where he handled cases...

Ms. Miller has practiced law since 1996. She has litigated a variety of personal injury actions, such as premises liability, dram shop actions, construction litigation, auto accidents and premises liability suits. She has also represented both employees and employers with respect to workplace disputes, including claims of retaliatory discharge and employment discrimination. She litigates in state, federal, administrative and appellate courts, and is a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association Judiciary Committee. Ms. Miller lives in DeWitt, with her husband and two children.

Caterina personally understands her clients' dual citizenship journeys because she is also a dual citizen of the US and Italy. She is the daughter of Italian immigrants from Calabria , Italy and is extremely proud of her ancestry.

Caterina has years of experience is assisting her clients in obtaining NYS documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates clients require for their applications. She also files petitions requesting "one and the same" court orders or orders amending certain vital documents. Caterina is also experienced in obtaining divorce judgments and certificates of no appeal.

Please send Caterina an email to schedule a...

Katie joined the Workers’ Compensation practice at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC in 2020. She focuses her practice on the representation of injured workers and their families in front of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Prior to joining the firm, Katie spent six years representing employers and insurance carriers in civil litigation, including Workers’ Compensation cases. She also spent time working for a non-profit, representing low income individuals with various housing matters. Ms. Dibble received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University and her J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law. After law school, Katie...

ROGER J. YEHL / FORMER CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE STAFF ATTORNEY Mr. Yehl has now opened two offices in New Jersey while maintaining two office locations in New York. Roger Yehl has been an attorney since 2002 upon his admission to the New York State Bar. In 2004, Mr. Yehl moved to NJ upon his successful completion of the New Jersey Bar Examaination. Mr Yehl began employment in 2004 as a staff attorney to Chapter 13 Trustee, Isabel C. Balboa in New Jersey. At this position, Mr. Yehl refined his skills in Bankruptcy while working on thousands of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy cases over...

My firm has handled significant injury and wrongful death cases for over 30 years. I served a Past President of the Western New York Trial Lawyers. I have been named to Superlawyers and the Legal Elite of Western New York for many years. I have received the highest ratings from AVVO and Martindale Hubbell. I limit my practice to representing people impacted by significant injury or the death of family members.

Brian K. Towey, Esq. focuses his practice on plaintiffs’ personal injury, including car accidents, slip & falls, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents. Brian also handles criminal defense cases and real estate transactions. Prior to starting his own law practice, Brian was an attorney at local plaintiffs' law firm, where his practice was focused on representing individuals who were injured due to medical malpractice, car accidents, slip & falls, and other personal injury matters. Brian also handled estate administration and litigation matters, estate planning, and real estate transactions. During law school, Brian focused his studies on civil litigation, trial practice, and labor...

Attorney Chris O’Brien is the founding attorney at the Buffalo personal injury legal office, The O’Brien Firm, PC. Mr. O’Brien earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1988 from Washington & Lee Law School in Lexington, Virginia, and began his legal career in 1990. Although he initially believed he would be pursuing a career as a tax lawyer, it did not take Attorney O’Brien long to realize that he actually wished to represent individuals who had been injured in accidents that were caused by the negligence of others. For 25 years, Mr. O’Brien has been working tirelessly representing residents of Buffalo...