Christopher J. O'Brien

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...

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.

Richard (Rich) Barnes is the President of The Barnes Firm . With more than thirty years of trial experience, Rich has built his career on the principle that there is no substitute for preparation, persistence, and dedication when it comes to protecting clients’ rights . He began his career in public service, spending five years as a Senior Assistant District Attorney , where he prosecuted serious felony cases on behalf of crime victims. During that time, Rich was entrusted with some of ...

Terry is a former presidentially appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of New York and co-leader of the firms Government Compliance and Investigations Practice Group. He represents businesses across industries in both civil and criminal government investigations which include conducting internal corporate probes and independent monitorships. He has advised clients among the Fortune 50 and large privately held companies, including Facebook and United/Continental Airlines, o...

Diane M. Perri Roberts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law. Diane M., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Diane M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John A. Collins practices in the areas of Civil Appellate and Motion Practice. He has argued appeals before the New York Court of Appeals, all four Departments of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits. Speaking Engagements Prepared course materials and lectured on Article 78 Proceedings and Appeals From Administrative Determinations for the New York State Bar Association as part of its New York Appe...

John F. Leone has practiced almost 30 years in the areas of wills, estate planning, estate and trust administration, qualified retirement plans and residential and commercial real estate. He received both his J.D. and B.S. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo.In connection with his wills and estates practice, John has successfully defended proponents of wills subject to will contests, contested wills on behalf of beneficiaries, and has filed claims relating to breaches of ...

Brian Sutter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Brian, who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian 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...

Barry N. Covert focuses his practice primarily in the following areas: New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals Constitutional law, including First Amendment, Second Amendment, and civil rights actions Qui Tam Act, also known as the False Claims Act Defending against allegations of scientific misconduct, scientific fraud, research misconduct, research fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence Defense of professional licensing, including for attorneys, doctors, and nurses Ti...