Brendan F. Baynes

John Powers has represented the interests of catastrophically injured individuals for over 50 years. For more than 35 consecutive years, he has been selected by a nationwide vote as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for his representation of plaintiffs in three separate areas of practice: “medical malpractice law”; “product liability litigation”; and “personal injury litigation.” In 2013, John was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in...

John F. Harwick is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. John F. practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized John F. Harwick since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John...

Kurt Bratten is a partner and the Chair of our Health Law Department. His practice includes a wide range of civil litigation, transactional work, compliance and other advisory services. Kurt’s primary focus is on counseling health care providers regarding various compliance and transactional matters such as state and federal data security and privacy requirements, managed care and other contractual matters, and state and federal regulatory requirements applicable to various provider gro...

Andy Rose is the managing partner of the firm’s Albany office. He primarily handles litigation but also serves as a strategic advisor for clients all along the development spectrum, from Fortune 10 companies to entrepreneurs working on emerging technologies. What to you focus on? I spend my time litigating large scale commercial or regulatory cases before state and federal courts and government agencies, but historically my practice has been as wide ranging as the opportunities in my &l...

Bob provides comprehensive legal services focusing on various aspects of state and local economic development incentives, tax issues, and corporate law. Located in Albany, New York, and part of the Harris Beach Murtha team, Bob assists clients with a broad range of needs, including quasi-governmental entities like industrial development agencies, local development corporations, and public authorities. In his role, Bob serves as general counsel to several public authorities and not-for-profit ...

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...

Thomas Higgs is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Thomas practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas Higgs since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Thomas Higgs is held by other lawyers.

Mandy McFarland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Mandy practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Mandy McFarland since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mandy McFarland is held by other lawyers.

Bill advises businesses and organizations on energy related matters, strategic planning initiatives regarding economic development, state and federal regulatory affairs, and policy decisions. He also advises clients on local, state and federal governmental affairs. Bill is noted for his experience in regulatory policies and legislation related to electricity, gas, water, cable television, and telecommunications services. He served as Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission (N...

Florence M. Richardson, who joined O’Connell and Aronowitz in January 2018, is Of Counsel with our firm and has dedicated herself entirely to the field of matrimonial law since she was admitted to practice in 1984. She focuses her practice on divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, child support, spousal support and equitable distribution. Before joining O’Connell and Aronowitz she was principal at Kahn and Richardson, an Albany law firm that focused exclus...