Eric J. Ward

Eric Tanck is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s M&A and Corporate Transactions group, focusing his practice on business and corporate law matters, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and the formation, financing, and growth of business enterprises. My focus Today I focus my practice on three main areas, assisting clients with a variety of complex transactions. Mergers & Acquisitions I work with public and private companies in a variety of industries...

Katie Baynes, a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Public Finance group, focuses her practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. She represents government authorities, issuers and underwriters in connection with project financings including stadiums and arenas as well as industrial development revenue bonds; college and university bonds; hospital, health care, and senior living bonds; and other exempt facility bonds. What do you focus on? Project Finance I have been ...

Josh Steele serves as a representative for both private and public sector employers in Pittsford, New York, covering diverse employment law matters. His experience spans from tackling wage and hour class action lawsuits to managing litigation and administrative proceedings under pivotal regulations such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the New York Labor and Human Rights Law. Alongside his work i...

David D. MacKnight focuses his practice on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, representing both consumer and business clients. His work includes insolvency matters involving liquidation and reorganization, as well as representation of secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy cases. Based in Rochester, New York, David is a member of Lacy Katzen LLP and regularly advises financial institutions, including providing comprehensive bankruptcy-related ser...

Mr. Gaenzle is a member of the firm and practices in the Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group and with the Real Estate Developers, Energy, and Municipalities and Local Agencies Industry Teams. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in economic development, he focuses his legal practice on municipal and tax-exempt bond financings, including manufacturing facilities, civic facilities, CCRC communities, and low income and pooled housing projects. He also assists clients with ind...

Audrey Patrone specializes in litigation and trust and estate matters, offering guidance and counsel to individuals and families in Pittsford, New York and the surrounding areas. She assists with asset transitions during life and after death, handling transfers and sales of family-owned businesses, and managing trust and estate administration. Her practice includes creating essential documents such as wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and pre-nuptial agreements. Audrey is committed...

Steven Nonkes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Steven, who practices law in Pittsford, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dave handles a broad range of disputes in state and federal courts, focusing on commercial disputes, construction litigation, intellectual property disputes, including patent and trade dress infringement, surety defense, insurance coverage disputes and product liability matters. He represents clients across many industries, including accounting, agricultural, electrical components, liquor distributors, photographic, mining, printing and sporting goods, as well as mall developers and builders....

Francis (Chris) Affronti is a divorce, family law lawyer and appellate advocate. He handles cases where the marital estate might involve two blue collar employees who own a house and have some retirement accounts. At the same time, he handles high conflict custody cases and divorces with complex financial issues and extensive marital estates. He is a meticulous and strategic thinker. He handles child support, maintenance, and family offense cases in Supreme and Family Court. He prepares QDROs...

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