Stephen A. Donato

Dartmouth College AB 1982 cum laude with distinction in Gov't Boston University JD 1986 I began my career in the litigation dept at Palmer and Dodge in Boston, Massachusetts until I returned home to Syracuse in 1989 to work trying cases at Smith Sovik. I became a partner in 1992 and Managing Partner in 2005. I have tried over 100 cases to verdict in many different practice areas including medical and professional malpractice, legal malpractice, labor law/personal injury, product liability, co...

Brandon R. King is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Brandon R. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Brandon R. King since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brandon R. King is held by other lawyers.

Susan R. Katzoff is an attorney at Bousquet Holstein PLLC in Syracuse, New York, where her practice focuses on Public Finance Law , municipal law , economic development matters, and governance and compliance issues. She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Public Finance Law from 2023 through 2027. Susan currently serves as Corporation Counsel to the City of Syracuse, providing legal counsel on a broad range of municipal matters, including contracts, property dispositio...

Julian Modesti is Co-Leader of the Business Litigation practice group at Harris Beach Murtha, based in Syracuse, New York. With over 30 years of experience, Julian has a substantial background in both state and federal court matters related to commercial litigation. These include handling disputes among shareholders, partners, and members, addressing business separations, lease and land-use issues, contract disputes, and safeguarding trade secrets as well as dealing with unfair competition an...

Brendan focuses on intellectual property matters and commercial litigation, and he has significant experience efficiently and promptly reviewing corporate contracts. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade dress infringement actions. He also prosecutes trademark and copyright applications in the United States and globally, and is frequently before the TTAB in cancellation and opposition proceedings. Brendan is also an experienced commercial liti...

Mr. Muldoon is a member of the firm and the Intellectual Property Practice Group. He also serves on the Science and Technology, Medical and Life Sciences, and Food and Beverage Industry Teams. His practice focuses on the enforcement and defense of intellectual property infringement and related claims in federal and state courts and in arbitration. Mr. Muldoon has been actively involved in a large number of patent infringement lawsuits, encompassing diverse technologies such as compression-sty...

Matthew D. Gumaer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Matthew D. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew D. Gumaer since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew D. ...

Michael is one of Upstate New York's most accomplished trial lawyers. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the pursuit of medical malpractice, wrongful death, and complex personal injury actions throughout New York, with a focus on claims for birth injuries, misdiagnosis, neonatal/pediatric negligence, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, nerve injuries, and liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Michael is past president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (2024-2025...

Zachary Mattison is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Zachary practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Zachary Mattison since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Zachary Mattison is held by other lawyers.

John Trop is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized John Trop since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John Trop is held by other lawyers.