Patrick L. Cusato

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...

Roy practices in all areas of labor and employment law across several industries, both in the private and public sectors. He counsels employers in labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitrations, and represents clients in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board. He also represents employers in employment litigation matters, including disputes over employment contracts, non-compete agreements, wage and hour claims, and employment discrimi...

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...

Matthew A. Ryen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Matthew A., who practices law in Rochester, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

The majority of David MacKnight’s practice has been concentrated in insolvency related work for consumer and business debtors in both liquidation and reorganization. He represents creditors, both secured and unsecured, in consumer and business cases. David provides all bankruptcy related services to four credit unions with assets ranging from $50 million to one billion dollars.David has briefed and argued numerous appeals, principally bankruptcy related, in both the District Court and t...

Craig Welch is the Chair of Lacy Katzen LLP's Corporate, Business and Banking Law Practice Group. He has been practicing law for more than 34 years, and represents clients who have diverse legal needs that typically involve issues from a variety of practice areas. In representing his clients, Craig is able to provide his business and individual clients with a high level of counseling due to his extensive experience in so many areas of the law. He is also the resident attorney at our Canandaig...

Darren Miller focuses his practice on real estate construction and development and other transactional matters. He leads the firm’s New York Alcoholic Beverage team and is a member of the firm’s Campus Infrastructure & Community Development team. What do you focus on? Construction I represent owners, developers and lenders in structuring, negotiating and interpreting EPC, design-build, design construction and equipment purchase contracts for projects ranging from apartment com...

Erik Goergen is a litigator, based in Buffalo, who represents a diverse array of local, national and international clients in complex commercial disputes and product liability matters at both the trial and appellate levels. My focus My practice focuses on litigating disputes in a wide range of complex commercial litigation and product liability matters, representing international, national, and local clients in the aviation, healthcare, manufacturing, and commercial real estate industries. My...

Todd Shinaman is counsel in the Labor & Employment practice group. He has over 25 years of experience in counseling and representing employers of all sizes in all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation. What do you focus on? I have experience in virtually all aspects of labor and employment law, but I have focused recently on several main areas of practice. Wage-hour class action litigation I have led, or participated on, a team of other experienced class action litigators to ...

Bob Burgdorf’s practice concentrates on general real estate law, zoning, and legal services to higher education institutions. Representative clients include private developers, public utilities, college and universities, energy companies and commercial landlords and tenants. What do you focus on? Land use and zoning I have concentrated much of my practice in representing companies in contested land use and zoning projects, including securing permitting for more than 1,500 cell tower sit...