Rick W. Kennedy

I joined Black, Lyle & Habberfield, LLP as an Associate attorney in 2008 and was made equity Partner in April of 2011. Prior to being an attorney I was a Diagnostic Technician with Mercedes-Benz. I am from Scio, New York and obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and graduated cum laude from law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. I am admitted to practice law in both New York and Pennsylvania. I am a member of the Amer...

Melanie C. Marotto serves as the co-managing partner at Harris Beach Murtha's Buffalo office. Her practice focuses on assisting purchasers, sellers, governmental, and quasi-governmental agencies in development projects. She has a substantial background in real estate law, with particular attention to real property and title issues within New York's renewable energy sector. As examining counsel, Melanie works with two national title insurance companies and represents a variety of community-bas...

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.

Dennis Harlow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Dennis, 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 Dennis 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...

Mark L. Stulmaker practices in the areas of employee benefits and taxation, serving as counsel to trustees of public and private pension and health and welfare benefit plans as well as to closely held businesses. He is also involved in estate planning and administration, especially in connection with charitable trusts, foundations, and large retirement plan distributions. Practice Areas Employee Benefits Tax Resources Mark Stulmaker is distinguished by the depth of his experience and knowledg...

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...

Attorney Katherine Liebner focuses her legal practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and labor and employment law. She also handles appellate matters across a wide spectrum of practices. Estate Planning Kathy works closely with her clients to navigate the many nuances of proper estate planning. She has extensive experience working with clients on all levels of estate planning, including: Preparing Wills Drafting Powers of Attorney Drafting Healthcare Proxies...

Lynn Bochenek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Lynn, who practices law in Olean, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lynn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samuel J. Capizzi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Samuel J., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samuel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.