Basel B. Barakat

Jared Lusk is a partner in our Real Estate practice group and the Managing Partner for the Rochester office of the firm. The primary focus of his practice is real estate development and municipal law, including planning and zoning. What do you focus on? Land Use/Development I enjoy representing a wide variety of landowners, developers, municipalities, retailers, public utilities, wind and other energy producers throughout New York State. Having formerly served as town attorney managing land u...

Carl Hellmers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Carl, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A commercial real estate and transactional attorney with experience spanning a variety of areas, Robert Leapley represents investors, borrowers, developers, financial institutions, and landowners in loan workouts and restructurings, joint venture agreements, historic tax credit transactions, EB-5 related development and redevelopment projects, land use and entitlements, corporate law, and federal, state, and local taxation. Additionally, Robert represents clients in the acquisition, construct...

Christopher M. Fox has concentrated his practice in the area of workers’ compensation litigation since graduating from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 2002. Before joining Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano in September 2011, Mr. Fox practiced workers’ compensation law at a prominent national labor and employment firm, and with a top regional defense firm’s workers’ compensation department. Mr. Fox is certified as a specialist in workers’ compensation...

Paul M. Markese is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Paul M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melvin S. Shotten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Health Care Law. Melvin S., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melvin S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah K. Duran is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Artificial Intelligence Law. Sarah K., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nimish R. Desai is a partner specializing in False Claims Act, class action, and environmental torts cases, and has helped secure over a billion dollars in settlements and recoveries through his case work. He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as a “Super Lawyer” for every year from 2013-2021. He has also been repeatedly named to Best Lawyers’ list of outstanding practitioners in the field of Qui Tam law. Nimish is a leading False Claims Act lawyer, seeking j...

Mr. Alford represents public utilities and other clients in a variety of matters, including commercial and tort litigation, regulatory proceedings, and contract and property issues. Representative cases include construction disputes, securities actions, antitrust and unfair trade practice claims, medical licensing, and consumer litigation. Mr. Alford also counsels clients concerning regulatory compliance, employment, and general business issues. Mr. Alford graduated from Louisiana State Unive...

Zan is one of the firm’s generalists, as well as a lead trial lawyer. He has tried many cases before juries, judges and administrative agencies in employment discrimination, union-management and employee benefits cases. Zan has presented arguments to several federal and state appellate courts. He advises companies concerning structuring the relationships with workers and clients, whether as employment, leased employee or independent contractor arrangements to minimize legal risks and pr...