Dena Defazio

Michael is one of Upstate New York's most accomplished trial lawyers. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the pursuit of medical malpractice, wrongful death, and complex personal injury actions throughout New York, with a focus on claims for birth injuries, misdiagnosis, neonatal/pediatric negligence, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, nerve injuries, and liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Michael is past president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (2024-2025...

Mathew serves as the managing partner for Harris Beach Murtha's offices located in Albany and Saratoga in New York's Capital Region. As a co-leader of the Financial Institutions Industry Team, Mathew assists clients in navigating complicated matters related to commercial real estate and lending. Collaborating with a diverse range of financial institutions, he contributes valuable insights into commercial lending and related real estate transactions. In addition to advising on transactions rel...

Caroline Brancatella is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Caroline practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Caroline Brancatella 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 Caroline Brancatella is held by other lawyers.

Matt is partner concentrating his practice in the area of elder law, estate administration, and Medicaid planning. In his Medicaid planning practice, Matt works with families to preserve their assets, while obtaining access to necessary long term care services. Matt has been a Legal Services Provider for the Saratoga County Office for the Aging for over a decade and previously served as the Saratoga County Examiner of Guardianship Accounts. Matt is a frequent lecturer on elder law issues for ...

Amber Wright is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Amber practices law in Albany, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Amber Wright 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 Amber Wright is held by other lawyers.

Tom is a partner in our Litigation department and practices almost exclusively in the area of Personal Injury Litigation. He represents clients who have sustained serious injuries as a result of accidents, product liability and professional malpractice in both State and Federal Courts. He has secured several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements throughout New York and neighboring states. He is involved in the representation of clients at examinations before trial, various court proce...

Daniel Hurteau is a litigator who has tried hundreds of cases in administrative proceedings, mediations, arbitrations and state and federal court. He focuses on complex business and tort-related actions for pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and health care providers, long-term care facilities and physicians. Daniel also represents owners and developers in a wide variety of commercial and construction-related matters. What do you focus on? My practice is focused primarily on health care and ...

Will is a Partner managing our Bankruptcy and Matrimonial & Family practices. He is a member of the American, New York State, and Albany County Bar Associations; the Family Law section of the New York State Bar Association; and the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association. Will sits on the Board of Directors of the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association and Capital District Business Leaders. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Greenbush Youth Soccer Club, and was a ...

Javid Afzali, based in Albany, New York at Harris Beach Murtha, provides comprehensive legal guidance in Commercial Litigation to both domestic and international businesses. His practice covers a wide range of business, real estate, land use, and environmental matters. Javid collaborates directly with company leaders and in-house counsel to navigate corporate governance, project development, and dispute resolution related to corporate and commercial matters, as well as business separations. E...

Michael J. Hutter is a Professor of Law at Albany Law School of Union University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1976. He is also Special Counsel to the Albany law firm of Powers & Santola, LLP. Professor Hutter is an honors graduate of Brown University and Boston College Law School. In law school, he was the Editor-In-Chief of Boston College’s law review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. After graduation, Professor Hutter served as law clerk to Judge Matthe...