Douglas Gawel

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.

Nick's broad-based litigation and trial practice includes criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, and professional discipline. Nick graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo Law School. While in law school, Nick was selected to the Buffalo Law Review and in his second year was elected ...

Chanel T. McCarthy has more than ten years of experience assisting clients with their business needs - from lease agreements and contract negotiations to operations and employment matters. Chanel has a wide range of experience in corporate law including with issues related to the hospitality industry. Chanel brings a wealth of experience in the areas of trusts and estates, and other matters before the Surrogate’s Court.

Jeff joined this firm in 1993 and became a partner in 1994. He is a lifelong resident of the Olean area and an Olean High School Graduate. Mr. Black obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from The Dickinson School of Law (Penn State) in 1993. While in law school he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review and his case note was published. He was also a member of the Woolsack Honor Society. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Bla...

Michael C. Scinta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael C., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas M. Mercure is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Thomas M., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas M. 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...

Richard A. Braden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Richard A., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Terrence M. Connors has been recognized by his peers as one of the pre-eminent trial attorneys in the state. For the past seven years, he has been ranked as the number one lawyer in all upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine. This year, the Erie County Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year and, in 2006, the New York State Bar Association awarded him the prestigious Attorney Professionalism Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in that organizati...