Karen Schaefer

Attorney James E. Morris is an experienced litigator and former judge who is known throughout Upstate New York for his ability to resolve complex disputes through mediation. He is a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, an elite nationwide group of mediators and dispute resolution professionals known for their skill, ethical standards, and professional commitment. Morris is a practicing attorney with the longtime Rochester, New York law firm Morris and Morris, and has been ...

Carolyn Nussbaum is a partner in the Commercial Litigation group, and a member of the Securities and Governance Litigation team as well as the Class Action team. Carolyn represents companies and their management and leaders who confront business disputes. She is also the Managing Partner for the Rochester office of the firm, where she oversees policies impacting nearly 300 employees. What do you focus on? I concentrate my commercial litigation practice in four main specialized areas, using mo...

Laura Smalley is committed to assisting clients in Pittsford, New York, with their technological development and safeguarding intellectual property rights. Her practice areas include Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Trademark Law. She has considerable experience in handling complex cases related to patent infringement, particularly in the fields of medical devices, electronic components, and imaging technology. Laura also aids in p...

Matthew Ryen is a Rochester, New York native and an attorney with Lacy Katzen LLP . He counsels individuals and businesses across a wide range of legal matters, with a focus on practical guidance tailored to each client’s goals. His practice includes Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Business Organizations, including LLCs and partnerships. Before joining Lacy Katzen LLP, Matt served as a law clerk with the United States Department of t...

Christian Hancey is a partner in the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation group. He focuses on designing, reviewing and implementing a wide range of benefit and compensation programs structured to suit businesses and nonprofit organizations. What do you focus on? I counsel employers on all types of traditional benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, multiemployer plans, medical benefit plans, cafeteria plans, disability plans and o...

Tyler Savage is a partner in the M&A and Corporate Transactions group. Tyler is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada—he advises domestic and international clients on a variety of corporate matters with extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, securities and private equity transactions. Tyler's clients include beverage and alcohol manufacturers and distributors, sports franchises, technology and software companies, manufacturing and industrial companies,...

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.

Richard focuses his practice on construction and surety law regarding all facets of construction work on both private and public projects, the resolution of construction disputes and commercial litigation. He handles contract negotiation, contract preparation and dispute resolution among owners, general contractors, subcontractors and construction managers. He also defends surety companies against claims made by owners, subcontractors and suppliers against payment and performance bonds. Richa...

Robin L. Folts is an attorney with Lacy Katzen LLP whose practice focuses on Elder Law and Trusts and Estates . Based in Rochester, New York, Robin L. assists individuals and families with planning for long-term care, asset protection, estate planning , and related matters. Robin L. has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2021 in the practice areas of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. This recognition is the result of a peer-review process that reflects the professional regard of other atto...

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...