Varysburg Lawyers

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...

Kenneth Olena has worked for the last 35 years as a family law practitioner. He specializes in divorce proceedings, ranging from small to multi-million dollar settlements. Since 1981, Kenneth has practiced across upstate New York and predominantly in the Western New York region, helping clients with over a thousand divorce cases; prior to his work at Tiveron Law, Mr. Olena also provided excellent support to clients with Siegel, Kelleher & Kahn for more than 21 years. With expertise, he has handled actions of varying financial complexity involving difficult custodial battles, hardships regarding property ownership, and management of clients' personal businesses...

Nicholas A. Taylor is an Associate Attorney in HoganWillig’s Corporate and Business Department, handling contract formation and enforcement, corporate matters regarding formation, restructuring, and dissolution, and issues regarding commercial leasing of property.

Prior to joining HoganWillig, Mr. Taylor practiced insurance defense litigation, representing insurance carriers, employers, and third party administrators in workers’ compensation proceedings throughout Western New York.

Mr. Taylor graduated from Penn State Law at Pennsylvania State University and is an inducted member of the Woolsack Honor Society, which recognizes academic excellence. He is admitted to practice law in New York and is a member of the New York State and...

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;...

Mr. Pulos enjoys a very successful, diverse professional career. A trial lawyer by training, Mr. Pulos returned to his hometown of Alfred, New York following his graduation from Albany Law School and opened a general law practice by hanging out his shingle on Main Street. He is the only person born and raised in Alfred to have graduated from law school and returned to open a law practice in Alfred. From there, Mr. Pulos has developed a reputation as a lawyer for people that have been wronged by others in the workplace or by vehicular accidents or...

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...

Patrick C. O'Reilly focuses his practice on matrimonial litigation, handling all aspects of divorce and separation and representing clients in matters related to the modification or enforcement of existing matrimonial judgments and orders. He is a member of the firm's Management Committee and is chair of the Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Area. For more than 25 years, Mr. O'Reilly has served as a panelist and speaker on matrimonial and family law topic for numerous seminars, workshops, and symposiums sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York State Office of Court Administration, New York State Bar Association...

Adela graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a triple major in Health Services, Administration of Justice and Communications. She obtained her J.D., cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, with certificates in Civil Litigation and Health Services.

Following graduation, Adela spent almost three years in Boston, Massachusetts representing clients in a variety of matters, including personal injury, summary process, contract disputes, and class action cases. In 2017, she moved to Buffalo, New York where she concentrated her practice in litigation, medical malpractice defense, nursing home defense, employment discrimination defense, and corporate health care matters....

Our founding member and principal, Russel Morgan has concentrated in commercial and contract litigation, trust and estate planning, business and personal asset protection, wealth preservation and dynasty succession planning. Russel has also assisted clients with all forms of commercial and personal transnational work, including the preparation, re-structuring and litigation of various types of contracts. Our estate law office also includes; Eldercare planning, nyc healthcare proxy, beneficiary in a Will, Medicaid planning trusts, mltc plan, Medicaid planning strategies, help with drafting wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Russel Morgan was raised in Brooklyn, New York and has remained loyal to his origins...

Kenneth Kraus helps individuals and families prepare their estate plan, including Wills, asset protection Trusts, Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNTs), Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies. He also assists with the probate process including the preparation of income, fiduciary, gift and estate tax returns and the sale of real estate. In addition, Ken works with families to help them understand the complexities of long-term care financing, including Medicare, Medicaid, home care and nursing home planning. Given the ever-changing estate and income tax laws and the increasing concern of special needs and long-term care planning, Ken’s depth and breadth of experience...

Jillian Faltyn is an associate attorney primarily focusing her practice in the Corporate and Business Law Department. Jillian’s experience representing insurance carriers to resolve complex coverage disputes gave her a strong understanding of labor laws and personal injury-related claims from a commercial litigation focus. Ms. Faltyn obtained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo State College. After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law, Ms. Faltyn has practiced Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense. Ms. Faltyn takes a hands-on approach to assisting corporate clients in developing strategic and innovative solutions to their most challenging litigation matters. Jillian...

Chris O'Brien 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.

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.

Robert P. Hamilton, Jr. is an attorney in HoganWillig’s litigation department. Mr. Hamilton’s legal training began when he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007 and attended the Navy Justice Legal School in Rhode Island. While in the Marines, he served as a litigation paralegal in the busiest legal department in the military. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his hard work and dedication while working with the Legal Service Support Section on Camp Pendleton. After finishing his contract with the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Hamilton completed his bachelor’s degree from Ashford University before receiving...

Jillian Stenzel is an associate attorney with the Real Estate Law Department, focusing her practice on Residential Purchases & Sales, Mortgage Lending, and Title Insurance. Jillian’s past legal experience has been varied, but she became skilled at transactional law while clerking for a solo real estate practitioner. Ms. Stenzel provides legal guidance for real estate closings for private home sales and adeptly represents lending partners when closing real estate contracts. Ms. Stenzel obtained her undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Sociology from SUNY Buffalo State College and her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law. While at...

Jordan C. DiBernardo is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law's Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Matrimonial and Family Law departments. Mr. DiBernardo received his Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo and received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo in Political Science and International Studies. Prior to joining HoganWillig, Mr. DiBernardo worked for The Law Offices of Randy H. Gugino focusing on helping clients through the estate planning process and closing real estate transactions. In addition, he gained experience working as a law clerk for the Erie County Attorney’s Office. Mr. DiBernardo...

I was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo, NY. After graduating high school, I served in the United States Marine Corps, and then became a City of Buffalo Police Officer. I completed my B.S. and J.D. while working full-time as a police officer. I left the department in 2005 to start practicing law. After a long stent with a local law firm, I partnered up with another attorney from the same firm to form Richmond Vona, LLC. Our firm extensive experience handling asbestos cases (Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer), as well as other...

For over thirty-five years, initially as a physician and surgeon and subsequently as an attorney representing injury victims, I have worked to help individuals overcome the physical, emotional, and financial devastation inflicted by serious injury. It is a privilege for me to represent seriously injured individuals and their families against insurance companies, corporations, companies, doctors, hospitals, and individuals who were negligent. No matter how extensive or advanced the medical treatment, an individual and his or her family is never the same after trauma alters their lives. Additionally, I am called upon to assist physicians as personal counsel in lawsuits against them,...

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...

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...

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...

As a father of six children and eight grandchildren I understand and appreciate what it means to serve our family and communities. As a trial attorney, I also enjoy the task of righting the wrongs that happen to innocent people. I also pride myself on winning cases and leveling the playing field so that the rich and powerful corporations and insurance companies do not win the battle due to their wealth and power over the average citizen. Having over 35 years of experience and the track record of supervising over 2 billion dollars in settlements for our...

As an attorney in the real estate department, Ms. Letty oversees the everyday operations of all aspects of the real estate practice including buy/sell, mortgage handling, as well as, all transactions that require litigation or attention beyond the normal closing procedure. She is also the principal title insurance attorney who examines titles, prepares preliminary title reports, resolves title problems, and issues final title insurance policies through various title insurance agencies, in an effort to ensure that our clients, whether they are purchasers or banks, are fully protected against adverse title claims that may arise as a consequence of their purchase...

Thomas Trbovich has a history of recognition for outstanding legal service dating back to when he served as an assistant district attorney. His office receives many referrals from satisfied clients and other attorneys. Criminal defense attorneys have asked Mr. Trbovich’s firm to take over complicated criminal cases that they were uncomfortable handling. In fact, Mr. Trbovich has been the “must have attorney” other attorneys have trusted to handle their own personal matters.

Mr. Trbovich has tried as well as negotiated thousands of criminal cases. He is an experienced attorney dealing with traffic tickets and criminal defense, as well as arguing DWI...

Lisa M. Yaeger is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Criminal Defense and Litigation departments. With over 30 years of legal experience in the Western New York Court System, she is very familiar with effectively and efficiently representing her clients’ needs. In addition, Ms. Yaeger’s long tenure as an Assistant District Attorney in the Erie County DA’s Office will be an excellent resource for the complex trial litigation work she will continue to handle. Ms. Yaeger received her Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo after receiving her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at 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...

Jonathan's practice helps businesses of all sizes grow whether it is from inception to a DPO (Direct Public Offering). We are here to provide you and your company with exceptional legal service in one of the most trying times of your business; growth. Additionally, Dunsmoor Law also helps clients with contract disputes, employer/employee agreements, and various other business matters.

Jonathan's prior experience includes being of counsel for a small, international securities firm and various areas of public interest law including a legal fellowship with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. Dunsmoor Law represents clients throughout the world regardless of size.

Experienced...

Eugene Welch is a Partner in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Rochester office, where his practice encompasses federal and state litigation and governmental issues. After being specially invited to do so by all of the Federal Judges in the Western District of New York, Gene is a Certified Federal Court Mediator available to mediate your litigation. Gene’s experience as a Federal Prosecutor, trial instructor for Justice Department attorneys and his experience in the New York State Attorney General’s Office give him unique qualifications to assist clients to make sure they are in compliance with both New York State and Federal laws and...

JEREMY RICHARDS is a licensed lawyer in the United States, and a Foreign Legal Consultant with the Law Society of Ontario, who devotes his legal practice to US Immigration Law and related matters. He has successfully handled immigration matters for businesses of all sizes and citizens from countries all over the world. He has a broad understanding of US immigration and nationality laws, and can assist with most US immigration law matters, having successfully handled immigration matters for medical professionals, students, professors, individuals, families, employees, small to large businesses, international corporations, colleges and universities, and others. Prior to attending law school...

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.

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...

Christopher served in the Marine Corps, graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. In Applied Economics and Business Management, attended Northeastern University's High-Tech MBA Program and received a M.S. In Computer Information Systems. He received is Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law

Kevin Burke is a Buffalo business attorney focused on the litigation of contract disputes, labor and employment issues, intellectual property protection, and trade secret cases. Kevin has represented both individuals and businesses since he moved home from Washington, D.C. in 1999, where he graduated with honors from Georgetown University and George Washington University Law School. Kevin has tried dozens of major commercial and employment cases to verdict. He regularly handles appeals before the Appellate Division, State of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He frequently writes and lectures on employee mobility issues, including the evolving area of...

John P. Comerford is a Senior Partner at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. He grew up in Lewiston, New York, a small historic town near the Canadian border. He grew up in the shadows of Love Canal and personally observed the consequences of environmental pollution. He attended Cornell University and studied Environmental Science. Mr. Comerford devotes the majority of his time to asbestos personal injury matters. He has litigated cases throughout Upstate New York in cities which include Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Binghamton. Over the course of his career, he has helped hundreds...

Rachel Wright is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Corporate & Business Law Department with an emphasis on business formation, contractual and employment issues, SLA filing, and other various needs of hospitality and small businesses. Prior extensive experience in the hospitality industry gives Rachel a unique understanding of the legal needs of that industry. Ms. Wright obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Buffalo School of Law after acquiring a Bachelor’s and Master of Arts degree, which she utilized in arts management for a performing arts nonprofit community program.

JULIE V. MERSEREAU, ESQ. focuses her practice on Collaborative Family Law and Divorce Mediation. MEDIATION provides assistance to couples as they negotiate towards the resolution of divorce, separation, reconciliation, parenting and other family issues. Mediation is a cooperative settlement process entered into voluntarily. The mediator acts as a neutral professional who helps the participants make practical, informed decisions to resolve their differences. This process encourages the participants to reach a voluntary agreement that is mutually satisfactory. The goal is to accomplish a “win – win” outcome wherein both parties have their needs and goals addressed and are “okay”...

I founded Cordello Law PLLC to focus entirely on labor and employment litigation on behalf of employees throughout the Rochester, New York area. Since that time, my law firm has been instrumental in obtaining significant financial recoveries for clients through the litigation and negotiation of employment disputes. While a firm’s success is generally measured from a financial standpoint, I am proud of the fact that my cases have also led to changes in illegal and abusive employment practices.

Whether you're divorcing or you've met with some conflict in the workplace, you can turn to The Cimino Law Firm, PLLC for local representation. Attorney Michelle Cimino, has been providing clients in Rochester, NY, with advice and guidance since 1997. She's a member of several organizations, including the New York State Bar Association and New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Clients come to us when they have questions related to:

Divorce law
Child custody law
Child support law
Employment law

We know how stressful some legal situations can be. Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, our firm will defend your rights as a...

Brett Tokarczyk currently practices in multiple areas at HoganWillig, including personal injury, medical malpractice and litigation. Mr. Tokarczyk assists a wide range of clients across these matters and works extensively on appellate proceedings, one of his particular specialties. Mr Tokarczyk's, admitted to practice in the State of Georgia in 2011 and State of New York in 2013, received his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia Law School. He was an associate at Brick, Brick and Elmer, P.C. where he dealt primarily with family law and estate planning matters; upon joining HoganWillig, he brought his experience in family law to clients...

Stephen R. Silverstein concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and disability planning, estate administration, guardianships and elder law.

He is a graduate of the University of Rochester and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. He is a former bank trust officer, where he worked on administration of estates, trusts and employee benefit plans.

Mr. Silverstein is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Surrogate’s Court Committee and serves as the Committee’s Recording Secretary. He is also a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Elder Law Committee and...