Melissa L. Zittel

William B. Collins is the owner of the firm. He has been practicing law since 1982, representing people for serious personal injuries throughout the United States. He is admitted to the State Bar of four separate states: New York, Florida, Michigan and West Virginia. His successful litigation in venues throughout the country attests to his ability to perform at the highest level anywhere and under any circumstances. He takes special interest in complex industrial and commercial negligence, in...

Robert L. Boreanaz focuses his practice in the areas of union-side labor law and plaintiff-side employment law. He has litigated cases throughout New York State as well as in Delaware, Texas, and Illinois. Mr. Boreanaz has extensive trial experience, arguing before state, appellate, and federal courts. As an example of Mr. Boreanaz’s work, he recently reached a settlement of $1.8 million in an employment matter on behalf of a corrections officer working at the New York State Department ...

Richard (Rich) Barnes is the President of The Barnes Firm . With more than thirty years of trial experience, Rich has built his career on the principle that there is no substitute for preparation, persistence, and dedication when it comes to protecting clients’ rights . He began his career in public service, spending five years as a Senior Assistant District Attorney , where he prosecuted serious felony cases on behalf of crime victims. During that time, Rich was entrusted with some of ...

Patrick C. O’Reilly focuses his practice on matrimonial litigation, handling all aspects of divorce and separation and representing clients in matters related to the modification or enforcement of existing matrimonial judgments and orders. For more than 25 years, Mr. O’Reilly has served as a panelist and speaker on matrimonial and family law topic for numerous seminars, workshops, and symposiums sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York State Office of Cou...

Scott Philbin is a Buffalo-based litigation attorney handling a broad array of business and commercial matters at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court. He routinely represents corporations, insurers and financial institutions in issues relating to breach of contract, the leasing of heavy construction equipment, enforcement of non-compete agreements, banking litigation, investor claims and commercial paper disputes. Scott also has experience in toxic tort cases involv...

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.

Mathew J. Morton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Mathew J., 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 Mathew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Sharon Schwartz is an attorney at Harris Beach Murtha, located in Buffalo, New York. With over twenty years of experience in Real Estate Law, Sharon is well-qualified to guide clients through various transactions and legal matters. She represents lenders and businesses in mortgage and lending transactions, ensuring that the interests of her clients are carefully considered. In addition, Sharon provides legal support to purchasers and sellers involved in commercial real estate dealings, offeri...

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...