Colden Lawyers

We are Western New York's largest bankruptcy law firm. We have been in business for 25 years and have helped more than 15,000 individuals and businesses through the bankruptcy process. Our chapter 7 fees start at just $795, and we can file chapter cases with as little as $100 in legal fees up front. We offer free online bankruptcy evaluations, and we also offer free telephone consultations, which can generally be scheduled within 24 hours. We have 12 offices located in the Buffalo and Rochester region.

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;...

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...

We chose to remain a small law office to provide personal, dedicated and aggressive service to our clients. My office costs a few dollars more but excellent service takes time and strategy. Offsetting our higher fees we have payment plans. We have seven lawyers working together to get the best solutions. As a small firm we call upon all areas of the law to form a comprehensive strategy and plan. As in a game making the right move determines the outcome of the case. A divorce case is often helped by a bankruptcy or our tax law knowledge. We create...

Frank M Bogulski was born and raised in Hamburg, NY along the lakeshore where he enjoyed water sports and played ice hockey. He graduated from Frontier High School and received a United States Army ROTC scholarship to attend Cornell University. While at Cornell, Frank studied economics and business and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. He was active in the Army ROTC program and completed the United States Army Advance Camp at Fort Brag, NC. Following his educational career at Cornell, he was commissioned as a United States Army officer and served in the military...

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,...

I help businesses avoid and litigate disputes. I also handle civil appeals.

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...

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...

40 years experience, the last 25 of which have been devoted exclusively to matrimonial and family law, including appeals, division of retirement plans, and high net worth matrimonial matters. I have been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs for local and NYS Bar Association programs as well as for judges.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Rebecca Kujawa concentrates her practice in Litigation and Appellate Practice. Rebecca has experience in various types of civil litigation in state court as well as with administrative agencies. Rebecca assists in many aspects of the litigation process, including pleadings, discovery and motion practice. Rebecca received her JD from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, where she served as a Publications Editor for the Buffalo Law Review and was awarded the Order of the Coif (highest academic achievement). As a law student, Rebecca also gained extensive insight into civil litigation as a student law clerk to...

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...

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...

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...

In law school, Mr. London specialized in taxation and after graduation joined a large firm in Buffalo where his practice emphasized tax planning for businesses, individuals and estates. Mr. London established his own practice which over the years grew through referrals from clients, accountants and lawyers. His business clients are both small and large U.S. and Canadian companies and credit unions. "When clients have had unusual challenges I have often been able to fashion unique solutions which enabled a transaction to occur. I believe it is not sufficient for a lawyer to tell a client why something can't be done...

Chair of the largest residential real estate department in Western New York. Extensive third party relocation, REO, commercial and residential lending representation. Recently closed a $3 Million dollar refinance, and a $965,000 commercial purchase secured by properties in Western New York and Florida. Experienced in time share, zoning, land use, condominiums and cooperatives, real estate negotiations and litigation. Voted for inclusion in "Best Lawyers in America" for the past four years.

Joshua is an experienced patent attorney and counselor who leads Stake to provide top-of-class client service. With an applied physics background, Joshua has experience working with clients innovating in electronics, optics, software, physics, and more.

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,...

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...

Amanda Weber is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Corporate & Business Law, as well as Estate Planning & Elder Law Departments, with an emphasis on business formation, contracts, long-term care planning, and trusts. Ms. Weber obtained her Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island, and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Niagara University. Amanda has been admitted to practice law in New York, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. Before joining Tiveron Law, Ms. Weber worked for a local WNY firm focusing on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Veteran Disability Appeals. Amanda is...

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...

Ms. Cronauer is an attorney working with the firm’s Litigation department. She has experience in the full range of client representation including Supreme Court and Appellate oral arguments, complex motion and appellate brief production and representation of clients in mediations, arbitrations and trials.

Ms. Cronauer attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in political science and a minor in economics. At Saint Vincent College, she played varsity tennis and was a George Washington Fellow. Following her undergraduate education, she attended Ohio Northern University College of Law from which she graduated...

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...