Phyliss A. Hafner

Thomas C. Burnham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Thomas C., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John P. Comerford is a Senior Partner at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. He grew up in Lewiston, New York, a small historic town near the Canadian border. As a young child, Mr. Comerford grew up in the shadows of Love Canal and personally observed the consequences of environmental pollution. After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell University and studied Environmental Science. Mr. Comerford devotes the majority of his time to asbestos personal injury matters. He has liti...

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.

John A. Collins practices in the areas of Civil Appellate and Motion Practice. He has argued appeals before the New York Court of Appeals, all four Departments of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits. Speaking Engagements Prepared course materials and lectured on Article 78 Proceedings and Appeals From Administrative Determinations for the New York State Bar Association as part of its New York Appe...

Allison Fiut is a dedicated civil litigator at Harris Beach Murtha, located in Buffalo, New York. Her practice is primarily centered on commercial litigation, offering legal representation in New York state and federal courts as well as through alternative dispute resolution processes. Her work involves representing clients in a variety of commercial dispute areas such as: Business divorce Breach of contract Non-compete agreements Trade secret misappropriation Shareholder issues Commercial le...

Barry N. Covert focuses his practice primarily in the following areas: New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals Constitutional law, including First Amendment, Second Amendment, and civil rights actions Qui Tam Act, also known as the False Claims Act Defending against allegations of scientific misconduct, scientific fraud, research misconduct, research fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence Defense of professional licensing, including for attorneys, doctors, and nurses Ti...

Hon. Erin M. Peradotto, who retired from the appellate bench in 2023, draws on her nearly 17 years of experience as an associate justice with the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, to serve clients of Harris Beach Murtha’s Appellate Practice Group and Business Litigation Practice Group. Harris Beach’s Appellate group is a specialized group of attorneys with experience litigating appeals, as well as other matters involving brief writing, oral advoc...

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...

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 ...

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...