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I joined Black, Lyle & Habberfield, LLP as an Associate attorney in 2008 and was made equity Partner in April of 2011. Prior to being an attorney I was a Diagnostic Technician with Mercedes-Benz. I am from Scio, New York and obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and graduated cum laude from law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. I am admitted to practice law in both New York and Pennsylvania.

I am a member of the American Association for Justice, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (Board Member), Allegany County Bar Association (Pro Bono Committee), Cattaraugus County Bar Association (Continuing Legal Education Committee, Secretary/Treasurer 2012, Vice-President 2013, President 2014, Immediate Past President 2015), the University of Buffalo Alumni Association, New York State Bar Association (2012 - 2014 House of Delegates Representative - 8th Judicial District), New York State Trial Lawyers Western Region Affiliate (Vice President 2019 and President 2020, Immediate Past President 2021-2022), Pennsylvania Association of Justice, Pennsylvania Bar Association, US News & World Reports Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers as well as the American Bar Association. I was fortunate enough to win the Robert J. Connelly Trial Advocacy Award from the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association.

I was also awarded "Lawyer of the Year" for personal injury in Buffalo for 2023. For 2023, only 0.4% of all practicing lawyers in the United States were presented this award.

Currently I reside in Hamburg, New York with my wife Melissa and our triplet daughters. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the SPCA Serving Allegany County, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Wellsville Country Club and Bartlett Country Club, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Cattaraugus County United Way (Vice-President 2012, President 2013-2014, Immediate Past President 2015 - 2016) and I am active in volunteering with the Saint Bonaventure University Mock Trial program.

In my free time I chase my kids and golf as much as humanly possible, which isn't a lot these days.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 129 North Union Street, Second Floor
    Olean, NY 14760
Education
  • State University of New York at Buffalo, JD, graduated 2008
  • The College at Brockport, BS , graduated 2000
Bar Admissions
  • New York, 2008
  • Pennsylvania, 2008
Affiliations
  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers - Board Member
  • New York State Bar Association - Past House of Delegates Representative/Member
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association - Board of Directors/Member
  • Allegany County Bar Association - Pro Bono Committee/Member
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Western Region Affiliate - Past Presdient/Member
  • Cattaraugus County Bar Association - Past President/Member
  • Pennsylvania Association of Justice - Member
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association - Member
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
Federal Clerkships
  • Magistrate Judicial Clerkships

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Buffalo (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers 2013 - present

    Best Lawyers 2019 - present

    Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Insurance

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Publications

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