Dean S. Sommer

John is the managing partner of the firm’s Capital District Offices in Albany and Saratoga Springs. He advises clients on various legal and regulatory issues. For example, as part of the Energy Team, John successfully represented the owners of nuclear and coal-fired electric generating facilities before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) in connection with securing three reliability support services agreements (RSSA) with two upstate utilities. He also represents a natio...

Based in Albany, New York, Justin is part of the Harris Beach Murtha team, focusing on municipal law, state and local finance law, economic development law, industrial development, tax incentive programs, commercial real estate, and corporate compliance. He provides legal guidance to public benefit corporations, local development corporations, and municipalities on large-scale commercial development and infrastructure projects. His practice includes counseling on public, industrial, and comme...

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...

Leonard J. D’Arrigo ("L. J.") is a Partner and Leader of the Immigration Practice at Harris Beach Murtha in Albany, New York. He focuses on corporate and professional immigration, navigating a comprehensive range of employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions. This includes NIW, Outstanding Researcher, Extraordinary Ability, and Multi-National Manager categories, among others, as well as all family-based immigration processes. L.J. is a dedicated member of the American Immigr...

Harold N. Iselin is Managing Shareholder of the firm's Albany office. He focuses his practice on governmental affairs and health care matters, representing diverse clients before the executive branch and state legislature. Additionally, he handles complex civil litigation matters, litigating a broad range of civil cases. Prior to joining the firm, Harold was a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice from 1984 to 1986, following which he became Assistant Counsel to the Governor of New...

Jarrod M. Sharp is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Immigration Law. Jarrod M. practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Jarrod M. Sharp 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 Jarrod M. Sharp is held by other lawyers.

Sam NeJame is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Sam practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Sam NeJame since 2023. 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 Sam NeJame 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...

Mark R. Ustin is a regulatory attorney and lobbyist. Mark has extensive experience assisting health and human services providers and related entities navigate the complicated statutory, regulatory, and policy landscape surrounding service delivery and payment. He assists clients with promoting and responding to legislation, regulation, and other government actions impacting their interests. He also steers clients through state processes to secure millions of dollars in government grants and o...

Jeffrey M. Pohl is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Municipal Law and Public Finance Law. Jeffrey M. practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey M. Pohl 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 Jeffrey M. Pohl is held by other lawyers.