Kristin A. Merrick

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...

Rick’s practice is focused on representing companies and individuals involved in complex litigation matters. Rick is experienced in a variety of high-stakes litigation areas, including complex commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, securities claims and derivative litigation, fiduciary obligations, and corporate governance disputes. Rick has handled all phases of complex litigation from investigation through trial and appeal, as well as in arbitration and mediation. Ri...

Daniel R. Santola Albany, New York Partner, since 1987 phone (518) 465-5995 (800) 540-8742 fax (518) 426-4012 email Email Me Daniel R. Santola is a senior partner and co-founder of Powers & Santola, LLP. His practice is limited to the representation of catastrophically injured individuals, the field of law in which he has over 25 years experience. After graduating from Albany Law School, he became an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1987, he and longtime friend ...

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 ...

Mr. Fiumara serves as senior counsel at Harris Beach Murtha. He is part of the Business and Commercial Litigation, as well as the Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation Practice Groups. His practice encompasses mass torts, asbestos litigation, employment law, discrimination, and environmental law.

John counsels businesses at all phases of their growth and development. John assists businesses on organizational matters, general commercial contracts, governmental compliance, financial transactions and mergers and acquisitions.

Kimberly Harding is an attorney in Nixon Peabody’s Labor & Employment group. Her practice is a hybrid of traditional labor relations, particularly in the health care and construction industries, and employment litigation and counseling for employers both large and small. Notably, Kim has significant experience advising employers and training employees on harassment prevention in the workplace, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement. What do you focus on? Labor Relations I c...

Based in Pittsford, New York, Neal Slifkin at Harris Beach Murtha focuses on copyright law, litigation involving intellectual property, patent law, and trademark law. With extensive experience across United States District Courts including Western, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of New York, Neal is well-versed in handling complex intellectual property issues, such as patent, trademark, copyright, and trade dress disputes. Neal's practice involves supporting clients across diverse ...

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.

Stephanie Seiffert blends her knowledge of trusts and estates law and experience with implementing investment strategies to develop sophisticated estate plans for individuals and their families as well as to provide fiduciary counsel to financial institutions. What do you focus on? My practice is focused on assisting families with the transmission and preservation of wealth for future generations as well as working with corporations and individuals to fulfill their fiduciary duties. Estate Pl...