Bellona Lawyers

Denis has been a lifelong resident of Western New York, a graduate of Kenmore West, High School, a U.S. Naval Aviator, and an attorney for over 40 years.

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.

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...

I am a Central New York Native, and in addition to my law practice experience, I have over 30 years of experience as an educator at the grade school and college levels. I am also the step-parent of a special needs child, and this has been instrumental in my development of skills as an advocate for special needs students. I have also had extensive experience as a Managing Partner for two law firms in Central New York. In September of 2021, I returned to Madison County to continue my practice with Taylor & Miller, a highly respected law...

With nearly three decades of professional experience, I have a broad background in commercial real estate transactions. My skills range from drafting and negotiating operating agreements to advising on syndications, which includes financial analyses and preparing presentations, as well as vetting deals. I am also adept at negotiating purchase agreements, mortgage agreements, and more. My career has seen me work at one of the largest law firms globally in their New York City offices, serve as General Counsel for a prominent real estate company, and manage my own real estate assets in the Tri-Cities area. Although I am trained as...

Scott R. Kurkoski is the Assistant Managing Partner in the Binghamton, New York law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. Mr. Kurkoski concentrates his practice in the areas of business and real estate transactions, wind and solar energy projects and commercial litigation. He is Chair of the firm’s Energy and Cannabis Practice Groups.

I have successfully represented people injured in construction accidents by developing special expertise in the area, working with renowned experts in the field and have played a role in the development of the law. I also regularly resolve cases involving products liability, chemical exposure, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and wrongful death. As part and parcel of my representation of people injured or damaged I regularly take on insurance companies who deny coverage.

I practice in the New York State courts of Southern and Central New York including the counties of Broome, Tioga, Delaware, Chenango, Tompkins, Cortland, Steuben,...

Holly Avery has 13 years of experience representing clients in matters involving business and corporate law, residential and commercial real estate, leasing and oil and gas law. Her practice includes assisting clients in areas such as Binghamton, Owego, Ithaca, Cortland, Syracuse and Broome County, Onondaga County and Erie County.

Palmer J. Pelella is dedicated to providing outstanding service and legal advocacy for clients throughout Central New York. His practice areas include Estate Planning, Probate, and Traffic Tickets, Real Estate, and Business Law needs. A former Assistant District Attorney, Palmer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to a multitude of legal matters.

Palmer J. Pelella Esq. is a full service, boutique law firm committed to delivering exceptional representation with reliability, efficiency and integrity. If you would like to talk, please reach out to schedule a Free Consultation.

A good lawyer can make the difference!

Jessica B. Smith is an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Real Estate Law Department; assisting buyers and sellers through the closing process. Ms. Smith also handles post-closing issues, property tax challenges and landlord-tenant issues.

Ms. Smith obtained her B.A. in Government from Saint Lawrence University, and received her Juris Doctor in 2013 from Barry University School of Law in Orlando, FL. Ms. Smith is admitted to practice law in both New York & Florida.

Before joining HoganWillig, Ms. Smith provided legal advocacy to clients facing eviction, assisted clients to obtain and retain housing subsidies and representing clients in public and subsidized...

Michael Reiser is an Associate Attorney practicing in the firm’s Corporate and Business Department, and handles contract formation and enforcement, corporate matters, collections, and property matters.

Mr. Reiser obtained his B.A. in English, with a minor in Political Science, from John Carroll University, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Reiser received his Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo Law School in 2016, graduating cum laude.

Before joining HoganWillig, Mr. Reiser practiced in real estate, mortgage servicing, mortgage foreclosure litigation, and title resolution.

Throughout my career and currently as a proud trial attorney at Cellino Law, my first and foremost goal and duty as your attorney is to zealously represent you to ensure that you obtain the best possible result. I take pride in my practice being easily accessible to clients, keeping you apprised every step of the way, and involving you in the strategy/decision-making processes of your litigation. My background is deeply rooted in the pursuit of legal endeavors. I hold a B.A. in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought from Amherst College. I went on to obtain my law degree from Ohio Northern...

Helping clients with estate planning and probate matters. Services include: Estate Planning including: Wills Trusts Power of Attorney documents Health Care Proxies/Living Wills Various other legal arrangements and documents needed with estate planning matters Probate Estate Administration The office is located on Main Street in the Village of Williamsville, NY with ample parking on the side and back of the building as well. There is a wheelchair accessible ramp into the building and the office is on the one and only first floor. Appointments can be made to fit scheduling needs. Email: ruth@ruthpgeorgelaw.com

I have been practicing law for approximately 30 years, with a focus on family issues: divorce, custody, support and adoption. I recently become certified in mediation, and I now offer complete mediation services for those couples looking to mediate their divorce or custody issues. I pride myself in always being honest with clients, and trying to have clients form realistic expectations regarding what will happen with their issues if a court is forced to decide how to handle their case. I am not a yes person for my clients. i will absolutely advocate and work hard...

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...

Siana McLean practices exclusively in the area of immigration law, in particular immigration defense. She represents clients in immigration court through applications for relief from removal. Siana also handles all family based immigration cases as well as asylum cases, special immigrant cases and limited business immigration cases. She also handles naturalization cases.

As an immigrant herself, being born in Jamaica, she is uniquely able to understand the intricacies of her client's cases.

Siana prides herself on her honesty and integrity and dedicates herself to every case that she receives.

She considers it an honor to represent her clients through the immigration process.

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.

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...

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...

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.

I have closed my law firm to take a job with a not-for-profit organization. I am not currently accepting outside clients. If you are a former client in need of information from your file, please feel free to call.

Attorney Johanna K.P. Dennis, of Dennis Law, PLLC (formerly JD Law Associates, LLC), has a special passion for both law and education; both are fundamental parts of who she is. As a twice-immigrant, Attorney Dennis immigrated as a child with her parents from Jamaica to Canada, and later immigrated to the United States with her family as a college-bound teenager. Growing up in Canada, Attorney Dennis is fluent in French and English. Through her own experiences and in practicing immigration law over two decades, Attorney Dennis personally knows the ins and outs of the U.S. immigration system. She has "been...

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,...

Sandra E. Malkin is a partner in the law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. Her areas of practice are oil and gas law, business law, real property law, trusts and estates and succession planning.

Ms. Malkin was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2002, the Pennsylvania Bar in 2010 and the Florida Bar in 2016. She earned her B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Binghamton University, her J.D. degree from Syracuse University College of Law and her M.P.A. degree from Maxwell School of Public Administration.

Ms. Malkin is a member of the...

We offer quality legal representation along with the personal attention your case deserves. Our firm focuses on areas of real estate, bankruptcy, estate planning & tax law. We understand that each client's case is unique and promise to devote our expertise and attention to getting you the results you deserve and expect.

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.

With years of experience in defending complex criminal allegations in both state and federal court Pat has handled thousands of cases ranging from traffic infractions to murder. Pat's trial experience spans over two decades with the majority of those cases being felonies. Included among these are multi-defendant, RICO and white collar crimes. Pat also has experience in handling student disciplinary issues and Title IX cases as well as a multitude of other legal issues.

I have been practicing in NY since 2005 and in PA since 2013. I am co-chair of the Business Practice Group at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP and have held this position for almost ten years. I practice in the areas of business, commercial real estate, and commercial transactions. I have represented private lenders, landlords, tenants, for profit and not for profit entities, hospitals, medical and dental practices, developers, and investors in a wide range of transactions in NY and PA.

Alycia K. Kimmel practices in the areas of estate planning and estate administration, elder law, real estate and not-for-profit matters. She is admitted to practice in the states of New York and Florida. She practices primarily in Broome County, as well as the following surrounding counties: Tompkins, Tioga, Chemung, Steuben, Chenango, and Schuyler.

Thirty years of experience throughout the United States representing families and professionals when they most need a strong advocate in their corner. A member of the Supreme Court of the United States, Florida and New York, Julia represents men and women in high net worth divorce, child custody, international custody disputes, parental alienation cases, divorcing the narcissist, complex high conflict divorce, family business dissolution, child support, domestic violence. Business matters include human resource advice to small businesses, assisting the small business in start-up, representing small business before the local planning and zoning boards, drafting articles of incorporation and governing...