STEVEN R. SUGARMAN
Like most lawyers, I entered my profession filled with idealism. I was
ready to use the law to help others. After graduating from U.B. Law School
and being admitted to practice law in 1985, I was not sure how I could
best achieve this broad goal. I dabbled in several areas of law until I felt
that I found my calling - helping people get through the divorce and
separation process. During this deeply painful time, people are scared,
distrustful and overwhelmed. I found that providing a listening ear and
helping to craft a sound legal strategy to resolve issues calmed people
and gave them confidence in the future.
Feeling limited by the tools that litigation gives a lawyer to help his or her
client, I became trained as a mediator. Acting as a neutral mediator
between two disputing parties gave me the opportunity to help people
negotiate a settlement without having a war. It was more personally
satisfying to me to help two people in a dispute talk it out and come up
with a solution that both parties could live with.
Since 1995, I have obtained extensive training in mediation and have built
a large mediation practice. I have conducted hundreds of mediations,
which resulted in satisfying outcomes for the parties. I am in the process
of expanding my mediation services into business, estate, workplace,
organizational, congregational and other disputes. I have also begun to
build a "collaborative law" practice, which is another way of helping
individuals going through a divorce, business or other dispute.
When people in a legal dispute come to our firm, we offer them a menu of
legal services from which to choose. We help clients select the approach
that they will most benefit from-whether that is litigation, mediation or
collaborative law. I am proud to be a part of a law firm that provides
clients with these choices.
BA, St. Lawrence University, 1981
Chair of Matrimonial & Family
Law Committee, Bar Association of Erie County 2004-2006
Selected by peers for inclusion in Business First 's top lawyers in Western
New York
Selected by peers for inclusion in publication of Best Lawyers in America
Lecturer for Bar Association of Erie County on various topics in matrimonial
and family law, and on alternative dispute resolution
Adjunct Professor-Basic and Advanced Mediation Courses, UB Law School
Mediation Skills Trainer for NYS Judicial Institute, Bar Association of Erie
County, Catholic Charities, Center for Resolution and Justice, and Cornell
School for Labor and Industrial Relations
Advanced Practitioner Member, Association for Conflict Resolution
Volunteer Attorney for Haven House (Battered Women's Shelter)
Married with 3 daughters
Like most lawyers, I entered my profession filled with idealism. I was
ready to use the law to help others. After graduating from U.B. Law School
and being admitted to practice law in 1985, I was not sure how I could
best achieve this broad goal. I dabbled in several areas of law until I felt
that I found my calling - helping people get through the divorce and
separation process. During this deeply painful time, people are scared,
distrustful and overwhelmed. I found that providing a listening ear and
helping to craft a sound legal strategy to resolve issues calmed people
and gave them confidence in the future.
Feeling limited by the tools that litigation gives a lawyer to help his or her
client, I became trained as a mediator. Acting as a neutral mediator
between two disputing parties gave me the opportunity to help people
negotiate a settlement without having a war. It was more personally
satisfying to me to help two people in a dispute talk it out and come up
with a solution that both parties could live with.
Since 1995, I have obtained extensive training in mediation and have built
a large mediation practice. I have conducted hundreds of mediations,
which resulted in satisfying outcomes for the parties. I am in the process
of expanding my mediation services into business, estate, workplace,
organizational, congregational and other disputes. I have also begun to
build a "collaborative law" practice, which is another way of helping
individuals going through a divorce, business or other dispute.
When people in a legal dispute come to our firm, we offer them a menu of
legal services from which to choose. We help clients select the approach
that they will most benefit from-whether that is litigation, mediation or
collaborative law. I am proud to be a part of a law firm that provides
clients with these choices.
BA, St. Lawrence University, 1981
Chair of Matrimonial & Family
Law Committee, Bar Association of Erie County 2004-2006
Selected by peers for inclusion in Business First 's top lawyers in Western
New York
Selected by peers for inclusion in publication of Best Lawyers in America
Lecturer for Bar Association of Erie County on various topics in matrimonial
and family law, and on alternative dispute resolution
Adjunct Professor-Basic and Advanced Mediation Courses, UB Law School
Mediation Skills Trainer for NYS Judicial Institute, Bar Association of Erie
County, Catholic Charities, Center for Resolution and Justice, and Cornell
School for Labor and Industrial Relations
Advanced Practitioner Member, Association for Conflict Resolution
Volunteer Attorney for Haven House (Battered Women's Shelter)
Married with 3 daughters
KEITH A. HERALD
I grew up in the Town of Tonawanda and attended Benjamin Franklin
Elementary School and Junior High. My family then moved to Amherst and I
attended and graduated Sweet Home Senior High in 1972. I graduated
from the University of Buffalo magna cum laude in 1976 receiving my
Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduating college, I worked for the
Zoological Society of Buffalo and in 1984 I resumed my education by
attending the University of Buffalo Law School. I graduated in 1987.
In 1985 I joined the firm as a law clerk and worked during my last two
years of law school. I then joined the firm as an associate after being
admitted to the New York State Bar in January of 1988. I am a member of
the Erie County Bar Association. I am also a member of the Bar
Association's Real Estate Committee and Practice and Procedures in
Surrogate Court Committee. My area of practice is concentrated in real
estate, estates and matrimonial law. I am an avid skier and enjoy
traveling.
I grew up in the Town of Tonawanda and attended Benjamin Franklin
Elementary School and Junior High. My family then moved to Amherst and I
attended and graduated Sweet Home Senior High in 1972. I graduated
from the University of Buffalo magna cum laude in 1976 receiving my
Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduating college, I worked for the
Zoological Society of Buffalo and in 1984 I resumed my education by
attending the University of Buffalo Law School. I graduated in 1987.
In 1985 I joined the firm as a law clerk and worked during my last two
years of law school. I then joined the firm as an associate after being
admitted to the New York State Bar in January of 1988. I am a member of
the Erie County Bar Association. I am also a member of the Bar
Association's Real Estate Committee and Practice and Procedures in
Surrogate Court Committee. My area of practice is concentrated in real
estate, estates and matrimonial law. I am an avid skier and enjoy
traveling.
