Nisha V. Fontaine

Joseph J. Gumkowski practices in the areas of general business law, e-commerce, taxation, and intellectual property. His practice is concentrated in servicing select clients of the firm in the entertainment business. Mr. Gumkowski is an active member of the Sports Car Club of America; the Sports Car Club of America, Western New York Region; the South Towns Motor Club; and the Central New York Ice Racing Association. Mr. Gumkowski earned second place in the 2002 New York State Road Racing Cham...

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

Harry J. Forrest focuses his legal practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, fall-down accidents and wrongful death. He also practices in the areas of civil litigation, business counseling and long-term disability claims and appeals. He has successfully handled cases in both federal and state courts and has tried cases to verdict involving claims for personal injury, property damage, contract disputes and constitutional civil rights vi...

Bob serves as the managing partner of the Buffalo office. He focuses on commercial real estate development, and municipal, industrial development and environmental law. Bob represents real estate developers, municipal entities, and companies in financing, leasing, and other matters related to real estate development/expansion and has extensive experience with the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program. He focuses on structured financings involving straight-lease transactions and bond trans...

Lawlor is a trial attorney with a broad-based litigation practice. He has successfully represented severely injured individuals, defended physicians in medical malpractice trials, represented corporations in contract and shareholder derivative suits, represented policy holders in insurance coverage disputes, and represented individuals, corporations, institutions, and municipalities in a wide variety of other matters. The notable client successes in which he has been involved include a $58.6 ...

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

Jeff joined this firm in 1993 and became a partner in 1994. He is a lifelong resident of the Olean area and an Olean High School Graduate. Mr. Black obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from The Dickinson School of Law (Penn State) in 1993. While in law school he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review and his case note was published. He was also a member of the Woolsack Honor Society. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Bla...

Terrence M. Connors has been recognized by his peers as one of the pre-eminent trial attorneys in the state. For the past seven years, he has been ranked as the number one lawyer in all upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine. This year, the Erie County Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year and, in 2006, the New York State Bar Association awarded him the prestigious Attorney Professionalism Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in that organizati...

John K. Rottaris concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation, creditors’ rights, commercial collections, landlord-tenant law, bankruptcy law and tax certiorari. He also represents manufacturers and manufacturers’ sales representatives in commission and contract disputes. John has represented clients in all phases of trial and appellate practice before local, state and federal courts, as well as alternative dispute resolution forums. He has extensiv...

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...