RICHARD G. ABBOTT

I joined the firm as a first year law student in 1978, and have been with the firm ever since. I became a partner in 1988. As low man on the totem pole, I learned almost all areas of law including real estate, criminal defense, wills, estates and family law. Over time I have concentrated my practice in personal injury, Social Security disability, business law and criminal defense. I believe my experience in other areas helps me serve all of our clients, in that there often is interplay in many cases. It also helps me direct our clients to another lawyer in our firm who concentrates in that particular type of case. I spend most of my time representing injured and sick clients in personal injury claims and lawsuits and before the Social Security Administration. I take a great deal of pride and satisfaction in helping clients obtain all the benefits and compensation to which they are entitled.

I graduated in 1976 from the University of Buffalo magna cum laude and UB Law School in 1980. I was the captain and first singles player on the UB tennis team and in 1997 was inducted into the UB Athletic Hall of Fame. I still play competitive tennis, and am a seven-time Muny doubles champion. I believe my competitive nature helps me in the courtroom.

The case that stands out most in my career is the Ivey murder case. I, along with Steve Pusatier and the late Ken Sherman, successfully defended J.L. Ivey on murder charges. He was acquitted in 1981 after serving over five years in Attica. In a land breaking case, our firm sued the State of New York under the then newly enacted Unjust Conviction and Imprisonment Act resulting in a $750,000 verdict which was upheld by New York's highest court.

I have worked closely with Steve Pusatier on many serious injury and death cases. The collaboration with my partner to obtain the best result possible for our client is always a challenging and satisfying experience. Whether the case is a high profile case or a relatively routine matter, I believe our firm gives the best representation possible.

I have been active in Kiwanis since I became a lawyer and was voted the North Buffalo Kiwanis Man of the Year in 1986. I was also voted Best Lawyer in Kenmore in 2001. Our firm sponsored the Buffalo Muny Tennis tournament for seven years in the late 80's and early 90's raising over $35,000 for Camp Good Days and Special Times and other local charities. I had the privilege of serving as tournament chairman. I am a member of the Erie County Bar Association and it's negligence and disability committees, and the Western New York Trial Lawyer's Association. I am a frequent speaker to attorneys and the public on the topic of Social Security Disability. I reside in Tonawanda and have three beautiful children. I enjoy coaching youth soccer, tennis, softball, baseball and basketball.

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.

Law Committee, Bar Association of Erie County 2004-2006

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.