Carly Ekman

Ms. Berkman concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, Medicaid advisement and planning, accountings, kinship matters, wrongful death compromises and guardianship proceedings. She assists clients with preparation of estate plan documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care forms and living wills.

Hon. Erin M. Peradotto, who retired from the appellate bench in 2023, draws on her nearly 17 years of experience as an associate justice with the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, to serve clients of Harris Beach Murtha’s Appellate Practice Group and Business Litigation Practice Group. Harris Beach’s Appellate group is a specialized group of attorneys with experience litigating appeals, as well as other matters involving brief writing, oral advoc...

Lynn Bochenek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Lynn, who practices law in Olean, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lynn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Chiari is a cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and currently is on the Board of Directors for the UB Law Alumni Association, Inc.. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, New York State Trial Lawyers' Association, Western New York Trial Lawyers' Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates,...

Joseph J. Gumkowski practices in the areas of general business law, e-commerce, taxation, and intellectual property. His practice is concentrated in servicing select clients of the firm in the entertainment business. Mr. Gumkowski is an active member of the Sports Car Club of America; the Sports Car Club of America, Western New York Region; the South Towns Motor Club; and the Central New York Ice Racing Association. Mr. Gumkowski earned second place in the 2002 New York State Road Racing Cham...

Michael J. Roach is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Michael J., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melanie C. Marotto serves as the co-managing partner at Harris Beach Murtha's Buffalo office. Her practice focuses on assisting purchasers, sellers, governmental, and quasi-governmental agencies in development projects. She has a substantial background in real estate law, with particular attention to real property and title issues within New York's renewable energy sector. As examining counsel, Melanie works with two national title insurance companies and represents a variety of community-bas...

David H. Alexander practices law in New York and Florida, and serves as a foreign legal consultant in Ontario, Canada. His areas of practice include wills, estates and trusts, estate planning and administration, business counseling, corporate law and taxation. He represents Canadian and other foreign corporations in the establishment of United States subsidiaries and in their conduct of business in the United States. He also represents Canadian and other foreign persons who purchase assets in...

Matthew Morey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Matthew, who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James T. Scime is widely recognized as one of the region’s most skilled and respected attorneys. He practices in the areas of personal injury, construction accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, and automobile accidents. He devotes the majority of his time to trial and litigation matters. Mr. Scime is widely respected among his peers for his trial and negotiating skills. Many local attorneys refer matters to him when their clients have sustained serious injuries. Over the c...