Vails Gate Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

I represent clients in the full range of commercial and civil disputes, in addition to offering general corporate advice. Typical matters involve the pharmaceuticals industry, securities, trade secrets, and fiduciary duties.

I have been a Civil and Criminal Trial Attorney for over 25 years.
I have tried over 250 Felony trials in all NYC Counties except Richmond County. I have represented clients in the SDNY and the EDNY.
I have been certified to represent Death Penalty Clients in 1999.
Academically, I was on the New York Law School Law Review.
When I was working for New York County Legal Aid Society, I was designated as a Senior Trial Attorney that tried Homicide cases and other Class A Felonies. Civilly , I represented clients in Real Estate matters, Divorce, Separation and Child Custody matters. Also, prepared...

Michael Stewart Frankel has tried and argued cases before New York trial and appellate courts. A pioneer in the area of childhood lead poisoning litigation in New York, Michael has been the lead attorney and attorney of record on many reported cases including the landmark New York lead poisoning case entitled Juarez v. Wavecrest Mgt. Team, Ltd., 88 NY2d 628 [establishing landlords’ regulatory liability for childhood lead poisoning under NYC Local Law 1], Munoz v. Puretz 301 AD2d 382 [liability of landlord for prenatal exposure to lead based paint suffered by the unborn child of a tenant], Zaman v. Patwary...

Practice is concentrated in commercial litigation

Terry O’Connor is a 1980 graduate of St. Lawrence University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. In pursuing his B.S. degree, he also attended the University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Terry received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1983. Terry is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was recently recognized by the Best Lawyers in America consumer guide. He has also been recognized as one of the top 50 upstate New York lawyers by Super Lawyers consumer guide. Terry is a trial lawyer who defends physicians, manufacturers and...

The Law Firm of Eric Andrew Suffin handles the following cases: Employment Discrimination * Sex/Gender Discrimination * Pregnancy Discrimination * Race/Color Discrimination * Disability Discrimination * National Origin Discrimination * Sexual Orientation Discrimination * Age Discrimination * Religious Discrimination * Discrimination Based On A Genetic Characteristic Harassment * Sexual Harassment * Other Types Of Workplace Harassment Retaliation Wage Claims * Unpaid Wage and Overtime Pay ...

Retired Government Mediator 2005 - 2015 Retired Police Lieutenant 1987 - 2007

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.

Currently, Kathryn is of counsel at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. She practices in the medical malpractice group. She also advises clients, both employers and employees, in all areas of labor and employment law, including preparation of employment agreements and employment manuals and policies, litigation including mediation and arbitration, as well as trials, appeals, and administrative hearings. She also advises clients on general litigation matters.

Previously, Kathryn practiced mainly military law; regularly handling cases involving Article 15s, letters of reprimand, courts-martial, security clearance and officer/enlisted separation proceedings. She also handled discrimination complaints before the Equal Employment Opportunity...

Ben Calkins is an honors graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School.After law school, Mr. Calkins clerked for a Federal Judge before joining one of the World's largest law firms, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.Mr. Calkins has also worked at and been a partner in several of the other most prominent old style law firms.

Ben Calkins started listening to the clients and to their many complaints about old style law firms.Mr. Calkins was committed to complete and total client satisfaction from the start of his legal career and recalls, with some pride, a client at his first...

Justin Salkin has experience in all phases of litigation in medical malpractice and insurance defense matters. He handles motions, depositions, and has achieved the dismissal of cases and strong settlements for his clients. He routinely defends civil service employees at arbitration as well.

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...