Bethany C. Van Pelt

Pam has been a Partner at O’Connell & Aronowitz for 23 years where she practices in our Personal Injury Litigation Department. She was the firm’s managing partner for fifteen years. Her accomplishments tackling the legal issues that arise during litigation have been critical to the firm’s overall success. Pam consistently obtains excellent results representing plaintiffs in all areas of personal injury lawsuits including wrongful death cases, medical malpractice, automob...

Benjamin F. Neidl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Employment Law - Management. Benjamin F., who practices law in Albany, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick L. Seely is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Patrick L., who practices law in Schenectady, New York, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic...

Michael W. Kessler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael W., who practices law in Troy, New York, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mathew serves as the managing partner for Harris Beach Murtha's offices located in Albany and Saratoga in New York's Capital Region. As a co-leader of the Financial Institutions Industry Team, Mathew assists clients in navigating complicated matters related to commercial real estate and lending. Collaborating with a diverse range of financial institutions, he contributes valuable insights into commercial lending and related real estate transactions. In addition to advising on transactions rel...

Chris Stevens handles employment litigation and provides employment-related advice and counsel across a wide variety of industries. My focus I represent employers confronted with people, payroll, and other problems that arise in the context of the employment relationship. My practice focuses on litigation, though I also provide employment-related advice and counsel to clients across a wide spectrum of industries. Employment Litigation I represent employers in all phases of litigation. I regul...

David Ross is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. David, who practices law in Albany, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James E. Hacker is a 1981 graduate of Hamilton College and a 1984 graduate of Albany Law School. Mr. Hacker holds an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and is recognized as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the fields of commercial litigation and personal injury by “Best Lawyers”. Mr. Hacker is a member of the Board of Trustees at Albany Law School and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Albany County Bar Association. He is a Regional Vice President of the New Yor...

Karen Martino Valle is Of Counsel to our firm and focuses her practice on the organization and operation of business and not-for-profit corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, as well as estate planning and administration, contested estate and trust matters and business succession planning. She advises clients on a wide range of business matters, including transactional matters, mergers and acquisitions, tax planning and commercial leasing and financing, with a specific fo...

Matt is partner concentrating his practice in the area of elder law, estate administration, and Medicaid planning. In his Medicaid planning practice, Matt works with families to preserve their assets, while obtaining access to necessary long term care services. Matt has been a Legal Services Provider for the Saratoga County Office for the Aging for over a decade and previously served as the Saratoga County Examiner of Guardianship Accounts. Matt is a frequent lecturer on elder law issues for ...