Downsville Lawyers

Jim Hacker is a 1981 graduate of Hamilton College and a 1984 graduate of Albany Law School. He is a member of the Hamilton College Board of Trustees and is The Chair of the Albany Law Board of Trustees.

He is an elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. The College is comprised of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada and membership is by invitation only. He is also an elected fellow of the International College of Trial Lawyers whose membership is limited to...

I have practiced law for 24 years and have focused on trademark law since 1995. I have been associated with a highly regarded boutique law firm in Manhattan where I serviced many well known organizations, assisting in the building of their brands. In addition to practicing in New York State Courts, I am admitted to the United States Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts. I also practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office and the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. This area of the law is dynamic, it continues to grow and change...

Peter A. Hurwitz began his legal career working with his father, Martin Hurwitz, and became a partner in the Law Firm of Hurwitz and Hurwitz P.C. His father, Martin Hurwitz, established the law firm in 1955. The firm brought decades of experience with a strong commitment of expertise, competence, and the finest legal representation to its clients. Martin Hurwitz practiced law in Rockland County with both a respected and exceptional reputation by his colleagues, clients and courts. Upon retirement, the legacy of his law practice continues today with the Law Office of Peter A. Hurwitz. Peter A. Hurwitz has...

Prior to opening my own firm, I began my legal career as a paralegal in Cleveland, Ohio assisting in civil litigation and specializing in all areas of plaintiff’s personal injury. After graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, I began practicing law in the state of Michigan where I represented injured drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians that were involved in automobile accidents.

When I moved to New York, I specialized in real estate closings and had the pleasure of assisting the public and several Patrolman Benevolent Associations, such as the Rockland County PBA and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, in...

When I was nine my aunt told me I should be a lawyer when I grew up because I argued about everything, really, really well. That's when I learned I could make a living doing what I loved: winning arguments. After graduating from Columbia University, New York City's only Ivy League school I went on to Fordham Law. Fordham was the only law school ranked in the top twenty-five nationwide that offered a night program in New York. Since I was working full time to pay my own way, Fordham's top tier night division was perfect for me. After two...

MATTHEW GOODSTEIN is a personal injury attorney at Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP. Mr. Goodstein regularly collaborates with partner and personal injury attorney, Adam Handler, to develop a personalized strategy for each case that will help our injured clients obtain the best results possible. Mr. Goodstein is a 2005 graduate of the Indiana University – Kelley School of Business, Bloomington, Indiana and a 2008 graduate of the John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois. After graduating law school, Mr. Goodstein served as an Assistant State’s Attorney (ASA), representing the State of Illinois in criminal prosecutions. During his time as...

Michael O’Leary, Esq. devotes his entire practice to consumer bankruptcy law, handling cases under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for individual persons, married couples and small businesses. In addition to having filed several thousand consumer bankruptcy cases for clients and having counseled many thousand more, Michael O’Leary served as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee in the Poughkeepsie (NY) Bankruptcy Court for seventeen (17) years (i.e. 1994 thru 2011), and administered well over ten thousand (10,000) Chapter 7 cases while serving in said capacity. Mr. O’Leary has established a well-deserved reputation as an attorney who capably and successfully represents his clients...

Bill Sipser has been a leading practitioner in the area of Labor Law and Employment Law Discrimination for almost thirty years. His practice is focused on representing clients in age discrimination, race discrimination, disability discrimination, and other matters involving employee rights. Bill has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts, and before several governmental agencies involving representation of individuals and labor unions. Bill has prosecuted significant cases, including appeals before the Appellate Division of the State of New York as well as the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He argued a critical employment discrimination issue before the...

Joshua is a native of Herkimer County. After college, he served our country as a Marine Officer, achieved the rank of Captain, and served on three deployments to the Middle East. Following service in the Marines, Joshua attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2015. Joshua gives 100% to everything he does. Following a recent jury trial in the Village of Herkimer [Docket No. 17050159], Joshua's client was found not guilty on all counts which was the first misdemeanor acquittal in Herkimer County in...

With more than 15 years, in the estate and long-term care planning field, James provides counsel to individuals, families and business to guide them to achieve their planning goals by implementing strategies customized for each client's unique circumstances.

James focuses his practice in elder law, trusts and estates, guardianship, special needs planning, and business formation and succession planning.

Heidi A. Gifford is a dynamic and dedicated legal professional with a passion for advocating for her clients. A graduate of the esteemed New England School of Law, Heidi has been practicing law in Fulton County, New York since being admitted to the New York State Bar in 2005. Specializing in divorce, family law, child custody, fathers rights, criminal defense, personal injury, and estate planning, she has established herself as a trusted advocate for individuals facing challenging legal situations. In 2009, Heidi took on the leadership of her practice and has since been committed to delivering exceptional results for her...

Douglas Goldman has been practicing immigration law for decades. He handles all types of immigration matters, including representation for employers, individuals, and families.

As a tax attorney at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, my role is to advise clients on how to reduce tax liability and limit exposure to additional taxes and penalties. I advise our business clients in many complex transactions, such as triangular mergers, spin-offs, and stock-for-stock acquisitions. I also assist our business clients in complicated planning issues, such as analyzing new markets tax credits, drafting opinion letters, and selling businesses and assets. I help clients avoid exposure to civil and criminal tax penalties at all stages from audit to trial. I have represented...

Joe Callahan began his career as a CPA with Deloitte in Manhattan and left there to work as a tax attorney. He's been with the law firm of Mackay, Caswell & Callahan since 1992 and is admitted to practice law in New York and Connecticut, together with the U.S. District Court and U.S. Tax Court.

Mackay, Caswell & Callahan, P.C handles various IRS and New York State tax controversies including IRS Audit Strategies and Defenses, Enforced Tax Collection (Notices of Levy & Notices of Lien), Offers in Compromise, Innocent & Injured Spouse Relief, Responsible Person Assessment Defense, Tax Court, IRS...

Sam Breslin represents both individual and corporate clients in a variety of matters, from state and federal criminal defense to personal injury and complex commercial litigation. Criminal: Sam represents clients in all criminal matters including DWI/DUI charges, as well as all other violations, misdemeanors and felonies in federal, state and local courts. Many criminal charges, no matter how minor, carry the risk of long-term consequences. In defending his clients, Sam strives to make them aware of these collateral consequences and craft a defense strategy to minimize them. Personal Injury: Sam aggressively represents clients injured as the...

Robert G. Babcock (Bob) specializes in criminal defense and wrongful conduct investigations throughout New York state and federal courts. He represents individuals and businesses under investigation or charged by the government with committing criminal offenses. Bob crafts unique defense strategies for clients facing criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors in local courts to complex cases involving white-collar crime, organized crime, drug trafficking and firearms offenses, and violent crimes pending in the county and federal district courts of New York. Bob brings years of criminal trial experience to Tully Rinckey and its clients as the lead attorney for the firm’s Capital Region Criminal...

The Diederich Law Office focuses on helping victims of illegality and bias in employment and civil rights cases, particularly wrongful termination and job discrimination cases, and negotiating severance packages. Cases include wrongful discrimination based upon age, gender / sex, national origin, race, pregnancy or disability. I also served as a "citizen soldier" (US Army reservist), with tours of duty in the combat zones of Iraq (2004-05) and Afghanistan (2012), as an Army lawyer. I retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel. We handle cases from Long Island, through New York City and into the Hudson...

After graduating from Manhattan College in 2009, Jacob began his career as a Special Education Advocate & Paralegal. For seven years he worked for a reputable Manhattan-based law firm that concentrates on advocating for students with special needs. As an Advocate, Jacob would often attend Committee on Special Education (“CSE”) meetings alongside parents, providing them with assistance in the development of their children’s Individual Education Programs (“IEP”) and/or 504 Plans. When disputes arose with local school districts, Jacob assisted attorneys in all phases of the administrative due process procedure provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"). This often...

Lisa specializes in complex financing and property transactions. She represents borrowers, lenders, developers, builders, investors, and sellers. Lisa has forged a reputation as being thorough, attentive, and detailed. Her trademark fine tooth comb approach has proven to be an invaluable asset to her clients. It has resulted in her closing over 100 million dollars’ worth of loan transactions and being selected to represent some of the area’s leading commercial lenders and developers. She also has experience in tax credit equity financing, entity matters and helping her clients navigate through the economic development process.

I’m Ava (Na) Li, founder of Ava Li Law PLLC, licensed to practice law in both China and the United States. Before coming to the U.S., I practiced in Beijing, where I served on the legal team for the 2008 Olympic Games and led the successful trademark defense of the “Water Cube.” That case taught me something lasting: intellectual property is part of a brand’s soul. In 2012, I moved to the U.S. to pursue an LL.M. in International Intellectual Property Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, one of the nation’s top IP programs. I graduated with honors and later earned my...

Scott A. Barbour provides dedicated and skilled representation to corporate and institutional clients with various types of civil and commercial litigation. His practice areas include railroad, products liability and contract litigation. Additionally, Scott is experienced in mediation and arbitration for civil matters.

Scott's trial and appellate experience includes cases in federal and state courts throughout New York. His jurisdictions include the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Scott is a member of...

Richard D. Cirincione’s practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, estate litigation, guardianship law, and related appeals. He provides planning for high net worth individuals including the creation of charitable planning devices. He has experience forming and administering family entities and has prepared sales to defective grantor trusts. Richard handles all phases of the administration of estates and trusts, including the preparation of estate tax returns and fiduciary accountings.

With extensive experience in estate litigation related to Wills and Trusts, Richard has represented clients in Will contests, both in support of a purported Will and...

Attorney James D. Hartt represents victims of employment discrimination statewide. He has significant experience representing clients in the NYS Division of Human Rights, EEOC and in State and Federal Courts. Call Attorney James D. Hartt today to set up your free initial telephone consultation.
With Offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and a Satellite Office in Manhattan, Attorney James D. Hartt is proud to offer his legal expertise to New Yorkers statewide.

James practices in several other areas of law, including but not limited to: criminal defense, professional licensure defense, civil litigation, education law, and others!

I am a solo practitioner with a general practice in Rockland County. My areas of practice include Criminal Defense, Traffic Tickets, Debt Collection, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Landlord Tenant matters and more. I started my legal career as a prosecutor at the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. As a Senior Assistant District Attorney, I gained experience handling a wide array of criminal matters, from petty offenses to serious felonies. I also supervised drug cases and was the ADA assigned to the Rockland County Narcotics Task Force. I left the RCDA to become a...

James K. Riley is an attorney who provides clients with personal injury and product liability advocacy in New York and New Jersey. He also serves his clients in the complex areas of estate planning, estate administration, elder law business and tax planning in both states. Mr. Riley teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the fields of estate planning, elder law and finanical planning at Pace University in White Plains, New York as well as in the field of education law at Long Island University and Pace University. Mr. Riley is an Accredited Estate Planner and a Certified Financial Planner. He...

Julia is a passionate litigator practicing in commercial litigation and general liability insurance defense. She is also a skilled advisor to individuals and businesses in the cannabis industry, advising clients on cannabis related contracts, licensing, regulations, and compliance matters. Julia’s long-time passion for aiding the cannabis industry began by seeing how life changing cannabis was for her grandmother battling terminal cancer. Her dedication to helping people achieve their goals within the cannabis community is unrivaled. Julia understands the inherent risks with entering an industry that remains federally illegal and highly stigmatized, and hopes that through community outreach, education, and positive...

Benjamin M. Adams, the founder and principal of Adams Law Group, LLC, has a record of excellence that shows in his legal education and in his legal career.

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,...

Nat Wasserstein brings a combination of Law and Business experience. He earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He is a graduate of Cornell University with an MBA from Baruch College. He is a member of both the New York and New Jersey Bars, holds a Series 7 NASD license and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. The best kind of business lawyer doesn’t just spot issues and manage risk, he or she also identifies opportunities and the means to seize them. And, the best way for that to happen is for the lawyer to...

Hayden R. Brainard, Jr. is a Partner in Miller Mayer’s Corporate Law and Intellectual Property practice groups. Mr. Brainard focuses his practice on corporate law. Mr. Brainard’s corporate practice includes advising entrepreneurs and small and medium size businesses in business formation and governance, employment matters, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, succession planning, and financing, including venture capital. Mr. Brainard also practices intellectual property law, including advising clients in intellectual property protection, trademark and copyright registration, licensing, negotiation and preparation of software development and service agreements. Mr. Brainard is a member of the New York...

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Gary provides legal advice and representation to his clients on a broad range of issues.

Elizabeth Barnhard is the Chair of the Pharma/Biotech Practice Group, working closely with clients to protect new inventions and products, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical and biological products and related technologies. With her many years of pharma industry and law firm experience, she helps clients create robust intellectual property portfolios that add value to their businesses. Having conducted, authored and supervised many patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, product and manufacturing patent clearances in the areas of oncology/immunology, infectious diseases, virology, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular/metabolic disorders, and molecular genetics, she helps her clients arrive at creative, value-adding solutions.

Ms. Barnhard is experienced...

Attorney Cook is an experienced attorney and has been profiled as an expert on the New York Law Journal website. He has extensive experience in resolving legal issues and has authored numerous books, articles, and videos. He has assisted thousands of clients. He has decades of expertise with debt related matters including bankruptcy, loan modifications, foreclosure defense, short sales, judgments, wage garnishments, work outs, debt elimination, debt reduction, debt consolidation, and deed in lieu of foreclosure. Attorney Cook is experienced in working with individuals, couples, business owners, Law Firms, Fortune 500 Firms, and Wall Street Firms. Attorney Cook has five...

S. Michael Musa-Obregon is the founder of New York City firm, Musa-Obregon & Associates, which focuses on helping those facing criminal charges, dealing with personal injury litigation, immigration issues, employment law, divorce, and intellectual property. He fully understands what is on the line for many of his clients and he strives to do everything on his end to help each individual secure the best possible outcome. Working tirelessly to investigate every aspect of your case and create a strong case strategy, you can feel secure placing your future in the hands of the team at Musa-Obregon & Associates. For more...

Robert M. Schechter focuses much of his practice in the areas of gun rights, civil and criminal litigation, contract law, appeals, as well as helping startups. He enjoys the courtroom and has always wanted to be a litigator. A significant portion of his practice is spent helping clients navigate the various licensing authorities that New York has involved in deciding to grant or deny CCW (gun) Licenses. He takes an individualized approach to each and every appeal and Article 78 proceeding. Additionally this has further opened his eyes to clear disparate treatment many members of our country face. This unique...

He is admitted to practice in the State of New York