Michael Damia

Chip focuses his practice on real estate financing, corporate financing, commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, leasing, zoning, land use, municipal law and public authorities law. He represents numerous lenders, developers and corporations in such areas as commercial lending, borrowing, real estate development and leasing.

Barry Carrigan focuses his practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. Barry represents developers, issuers and lenders on a range of project finance and public finance projects including renewable energy facilities, transit oriented developments, waste to energy projects, charter schools and multi-family housing transactions.Barry has been selected as one of The Bond Buyer’s 2020 Rising Stars, a program which showcases the brightest young minds in the munici...

Brian Kopp heads up Nixon Peabody’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. He advises employers on the variety of legal issues that impact employee benefit plans and executive compensation programs. What do you focus on? My practice focuses on providing sophisticated, practical advice on issues affecting my clients’ retirement and welfare benefit plans and executive compensation programs. I have over 20 years of experience in helping publicly traded and privately h...

John Powers has represented the interests of catastrophically injured individuals for over 50 years. For more than 35 consecutive years, he has been selected by a nationwide vote as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for his representation of plaintiffs in three separate areas of practice: “medical malpractice law”; “product liability litigation”; and “personal injury litigation.” In 2013, John was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in...

I joined The Barnes Firm because I wanted to be part of a team that fights for people who are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. I pride myself on putting forth the hard work and dedication necessary to be the best. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the top legal individuals in New York State including then New York State Senator, Hillary Clinton, and New York State Appellate Division Justice, Samuel Green. I graduated from the University at Buffalo School o...

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.

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...

Harry Trueheart, the firm’s Chairman Emeritus, focuses his practice on helping clients resolve business disputes, particularly international disputes, through litigation, arbitration and mediation. What do you focus on? Dispute Resolution I litigate a wide range of business disputes from investment, to M&A to competition, accounting and technology issues in courts and in arbitrations. I have particular experience in international arbitration, representing both businesses and governm...

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...

Rachel Baranello works with Industrial Development Agencies and Local Development Corporations, providing guidance on financial incentive programs that drive economic growth in New York. Her practice areas encompass Economic Development Law and Public Finance Law. Rachel collaborates on straight-lease transactions and bond financings, both tax-exempt and taxable, for various projects including those by 501(c)(3) organizations, manufacturing companies, and multifamily housing developments. Add...