Claudia A. Ryan

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...

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.

Jennifer S. Powers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Jennifer S. practices law in Saratoga Springs, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer S. Powers since 2020. 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 Jennifer S. Powers is held by other lawyers.

Peter is a partner in our Business Law department, concentrating on corporate bankruptcy cases, commercial law and banking law. With over 40 years of experience representing banks and secured lenders, Peter regularly appears in bankruptcy court for the Northern District of New York. In addition to his creditors’ rights practice, he has represented several Chapter 11 debtors and has successfully confirmed a number of Chapter 11 reorganization cases. Peter’s clients include banks, l...

Eugene Devine is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Labor Law - Union and Real Estate Law. Eugene practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Eugene Devine since 2025. 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 Eugene Devine is held by other lawyers.

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...

Myles Fischer, a dedicated member of the Trusts and Estates practice group at Harris Beach Murtha, brings a depth of knowledge in estate planning, administration, and tax matters across New York and Florida. His services include estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, asset protection, vacation home planning, and complex strategies such as grantor-retained interest trusts and split-interest charitable trusts. Myles collaborates with high net-worth families, ensuring effec...

Matthew McNamara is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Matthew practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew McNamara 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 Matthew McNamara is held by other lawyers.

Whitney Phelps represents healthcare clients in corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters. She has extensive experience in health care benefits, managed care and value-based contracting. Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Whitney also served as Director of Managed Care and Associate Counsel at the Healthcare Association of New York State. My focus I am a healthcare strategist. I provide practical and solution-oriented options for healthcare stakeholders of all kinds on a broad range of co...

Mr. Bottar is one of upstate New York's most experienced and accomplished trial lawyers, with a track record of extraordinary recoveries for his clients. As the founder and managing member of Bottar Law, PLLC, he brings more than 40 years of experience to the pursuit of cases involving birth injuries, brain and nerve injuries, amputation, paralysis, and wrongful death due to medical negligence, complex accidents, workplace injuries and defective products. Mr. Bottar has been continuously list...