Jessi Woodward

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...

Mr. Muldoon is a member of the firm and the Intellectual Property Practice Group. He also serves on the Science and Technology, Medical and Life Sciences, and Food and Beverage Industry Teams. His practice focuses on the enforcement and defense of intellectual property infringement and related claims in federal and state courts and in arbitration. Mr. Muldoon has been actively involved in a large number of patent infringement lawsuits, encompassing diverse technologies such as compression-sty...

John L. Valentino is an attorney at Bousquet Holstein PLLC in Syracuse, New York. His practice focuses on Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment, representing businesses, executives, and employees in workplace disputes, labor matters, and business litigation. John has been recognized by Best Lawyers for his work in Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. He represents clients in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative ag...

Dartmouth College AB 1982 cum laude with distinction in Gov't Boston University JD 1986 I began my career in the litigation dept at Palmer and Dodge in Boston, Massachusetts until I returned home to Syracuse in 1989 to work trying cases at Smith Sovik. I became a partner in 1992 and Managing Partner in 2005. I have tried over 100 cases to verdict in many different practice areas including medical and professional malpractice, legal malpractice, labor law/personal injury, product liability, co...

Brendan focuses on intellectual property matters and commercial litigation, and he has significant experience efficiently and promptly reviewing corporate contracts. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade dress infringement actions. He also prosecutes trademark and copyright applications in the United States and globally, and is frequently before the TTAB in cancellation and opposition proceedings. Brendan is also an experienced commercial liti...

Paul V. Mullin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Municipal. Paul V. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Paul V. Mullin since 2026. 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 Paul V. Mullin is held by other lawyers.

Julian Modesti is Co-Leader of the Business Litigation practice group at Harris Beach Murtha, based in Syracuse, New York. With over 30 years of experience, Julian has a substantial background in both state and federal court matters related to commercial litigation. These include handling disputes among shareholders, partners, and members, addressing business separations, lease and land-use issues, contract disputes, and safeguarding trade secrets as well as dealing with unfair competition an...

Matthew D. Gumaer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Matthew D. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew D. Gumaer 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 Matthew D. ...

Kristin Norfleet is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Insurance. Kristin practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Kristin Norfleet 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 Kristin Norfleet is held by other lawyers.

James W. Cunningham is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James W. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized James W. Cunningham since 2021. 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 James W. Cunningham is held by other lawyers.