Stuart R. Smith

Scott Philbin is a Buffalo-based litigation attorney handling a broad array of business and commercial matters at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court. He routinely represents corporations, insurers and financial institutions in issues relating to breach of contract, the leasing of heavy construction equipment, enforcement of non-compete agreements, banking litigation, investor claims and commercial paper disputes. Scott also has experience in toxic tort cases involv...

Justin D. Ginter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Justin D., 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 Justin D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Over his 20 year career, Joseph J. Manna has distinguished himself as a tenacious trial attorney who aggressively pursues the best possible results for his clients. Mr. Manna’s reputation as an effective litigator has led many prominent individuals, including federal and state court judges, to retain him as their lawyer. He has handled numerous high-profile cases and represented a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations, including other lawyers, doctors, certified public accounta...

Terri Benson Murray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Terri, 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 Terri is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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

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 ...

Mr. Chiari is a cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and currently is on the Board of Directors for the UB Law Alumni Association, Inc.. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, New York State Trial Lawyers' Association, Western New York Trial Lawyers' Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates,...

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...