News Archive

Eight of Sugarman Law Firm’s partners were recently included in the annual New York SuperLawyers publication - which features the top five percent of Upstate New York attorneys. They were selected via peer reviews, a blue ribbon panel review and independent research. Meet Robb Dwyer:

 

Robb Dwyer (Auburn & Syr.): He is Chair of the firm's serious and catastrophic personal injury litigation department and has been trying personal injury cases for over 25 years. He has worked closely with insurance companies and has effectively represented clients in personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, construction and slip and fall accidents, matters of defective and unsafe products (including pharmaceuticals), nursing home negligence and wrongful death claims. He is a graduate of St. Michael's College (B.A. Business Administration) and Syracuse University College of Law and serves on the boards of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Make-A-Wish of Central New York. Dwyer resides in Fayetteville.

 

Heather Berry, Terri Metzcus and Michelle Tunison were chosen as the most recent recipients of the firm’s Paul M. “Gonzo” Gonzales Employee Recognition Award for exemplary employee performance. Heather, Terri and Michelle were recognized for their exceptional work on the Sugarman Law Firm Wish Ball to benefit Make-A-Wish of Central New York.

Eight of our firm’s partners were recently included in the New York SuperLawyers publication -which features the top 5% of attorneys in Upstate NY. They were selected via peer reviews, a blue ribbon panel review and independent research.They are: Jim Stevens, Managing Partner, Dan Cavarello (Buffalo), Robb Dwyer (Auburn & Syr.), Kevin Hunt (Syr.), Paul Mullin (Syr.) Tim Perry (Syr.), Brian Sutter (Buffalo), Sam Vulcano (Syr.).

Come out to the Auburn Doubledays baseball game vs. Jamestown Jammers for the last Sugarman Law Firm Make-A-Wish Wednesday tomorrow, August 31st at 7:05. Help support Sugarman Law Firm on granting wishes to kids in Cayuga County. Before the game, Collin Ness, 9 year old wish kid will have VIP treatment with the Auburn Doubledays by meeting the team, play some catch and throw out the first pitch.

Steve Pesarchick, Partner, has been named editor of the Defense Research Institute trucking committee's newsletter, In Transit. DRI is a national organization of attorneys providing defense work.

More than a dozen Sugarman Law Firm employees participated in this year's Chase Chorporate Challenge at Onondaga Lake Park. Participants were: Heather Berry, Karen Carinval, Stephen Davoli, Corrine Desimone, Mary Dudley Mills, Matt Gumaer, Susan Judge, Bridget McConnell, Bruce Poushter, Jim Sparkes, Jim Stevens, Jennifer Stock, Michelle Tunison, Amy Vanderlyke, and Kevin Van Duser.

Danielle Fogel has been elected to the position of Vice President for the Central New York Women's Bar Association. Ms. Fogel previously served as the organization's secretary and as chair of the CNYWBA's Beatrice Krupkin Scholarship Committee and director of membership.

Representatives from the CNYBJ and The Bonadio Group surprised Maria Armstrong today with the news that she is a Finalist for the Financial Executive of the Year Award. The awards are given to financial professionals in Central New York and the surrounding area for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards. The award luncheon will be held on June 16th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Liverpool, Liverpool, NY. For more information visit http://bit.ly/ig55o9.

Amy Vanderlyke, Esq. has been elected to the position of Vice President for Fund Development of The Advocates for Upstate Medical University. She is on the executive committee of the board of directors of The Advocates for Upstate Medical University. She is also a board member of the Syracuse University Law Alumni Association and the SUNY Oswego Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Counsel. She is also a volunteer attorney for Say Yes To Education: Syracuse. The Advocates is a membership organization of 100+ volunteers whose mission is to serve Upstate Medical University and its hospital. They do this by raising funds and awarding grants to improve patient care and education.

Laura Spring, ESQ. presented at the NYSBA Seminar "Dealing with Residential Foreclosures: Workout and Defenses" on Thursday, May 5th. The topic she presented was "NYS Supreme Court Mandatory Settlement Conference."

Partner Sam Elbadawi, Esq. was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Fayetteville Manlius Youth Lacrosse Association. FMYLA is a non-profit organization that focuses on teaching boys and girls grades K through 8 the game of lacrosse. Mr. Elbadawi's practice focuses on the representation of seriously injured persons.

Amy Vanderlyke, Esq. recently served as a panelist at the Syracuse University College of Law's program for third-year law students, entitled Making a Plan for the Bar Summer. The session provided students with studying tips and strategies for surviving the three months leading up to the bar exam. Ms. Vanderlyke is an associate in the firm's serious injury and motions and appeals departments.

Team Sugarman hosted its 2011 Ski Race to benefit Make-A-Wish of Central New York this past weekend. The event was a major success with more than 50 guests in attendance. The event raised $1,500 for the charity! Many thanks to Labrador Mountain and Sam Vulcano's musical duo.

All of the proceeds from this family friendly event will help Make-A-Wish bring wishes to life for local children.

Robert Dwyer, Esq., Partner, has joined the New York State Blues Festival board of directors. The organization serves to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The 2011 festival has been set for July 8-10, 2011 in Syracuse. For more information - visit www.nysbluesfest.com.

Dwyer is Chair of the Firm's serious and catastrophic personal injury litigation department. He has been trying personal injury cases for more than 25 years.

Danielle Mikalajunas Fogel, Esq. presented as part of Syracuse University College of Law’s – Beyond the Billable Hour program. The event focused on offering tips on how to successfully navigate the legal practice, legal politics, today’s issues and establishing a successful practice.

We are pleased to announce Bruce Poushter, Esq. as Chair of our Estates & Elder Law Department.

Bruce has been counseling individuals and businesses in the areas of estate and succession planning for more than 30 years; and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Central New York.

His legal practice also includes commercial and residential real estate, federal and state income taxation, and business formation. In addition, he represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Bruce is admitted to practice before all New York State courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of New York and the U.S. Tax Court. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and Syracuse University College of Law. He has an L.L.M. in taxation from New York University and a Masters in Accounting from Syracuse University School of Management.

A Certified Public Accountant, Bruce is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and frequent speaker for the National Business Institute and Lorman Education Services. He is a member of the Boards of Directors for McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site and the CNY Mortgage Bankers Association.

We are pleased to announce our new management team:

JAMES STEVENS, JR., ESQ., Managing Partner, has more than 25 years of litigation experience. His pratice areas include architect and engineer malpractice, products liability, insurance coverage issues and general negligence claims. Jim is admitted to practice before all NYS courts, and U.S. District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of NY.

He is a member of the Onondaga County and NYS bar associations, associate member and accredited speaker of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and affiliate member of NYS Society for Professional Engineers. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America and as a Super Lawyer - national recognition programs. Jim is a continuing education provider for the AIA through Sugarman's accredited program and graduate of Syracuse University College of Law.

SAM ELBADAWI, ESQ. has been a partner since 2000 and focuses on personal injury and wrongful death claims; and claims against insurance carriers. He is admitted to practice before all NYS courts, U.S. District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of NY, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He is a member of the Onondaga County, St. Lawrence, NYS, and CNY Women's bar associations as well as a member of the NYS Trial Lawyers Institute, NYS Trial Lawyers Association, and NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers board of directors. He sits on the American Red Cross of CNY and Hiscock Legal Aid Society boards of directors. A graduate of St. Lawrence University and SU College of Law, Sam studied international law at Georgetown University Law Center.

BRIAN SUTTER, ESQ. has been a partner since 1999 in the Buffalo office. He represents architects, engineers and attorneys as well as physicians and other health care providers. He also handles school claims, general liability, insurance, personal injury claims, wrongful death cases and toxic torts. Brian is a mediator and an arbitrator and admitted to practce before all New York State courts and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of NY.

He is a member of the Erie County, NYS and American bar associations, and past president of the WNY Trial Lawyers Association. He is a continuing education provider for the American Institute of Architects through Sugarman's accredited program. Brian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.

MATTHEW D. GUMAER, ESQ. has been a parner since 2004. He defends claims against architects, engineers, suveyors, attorneys and other professionals, and advises clients involved in construction-related matters. He also handles a variety of complex and catastrophic claims, including coverage disputes. Matt is admitted to practice before all NYS courts, all NY U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

He is a member of the Onondaga County and NYS bar associations. He is a continuing education provider for the American Institute of Architects through Sugarman's accredited program and leads legal seminars for design professionals and is a member of the Armory Square Association board of directors. Matt is a graduate of Colgate University and Boston University School of Law.

 Estate and Gift Tax Update

By Bruce Poushter, Esq.

In December, 2010, the Federal Estate and Gift Tax provisions were amended. The Estate and Gift Tax exemptions are now $5,000,000.00 per person and $10,000,000.00 per couple for 2011 and 2012. The tax rate on the non-exempt amount is set at 35%. The 2012 exemptions amounts are also indexed for inflation.

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By Laura Spring, Esq.

New health care legislation (signed into law this past March by President Obama) signals a myriad of changes for local employers – from mega companies to mom and pop shops. The reason? Under the new law, more than 30 million uninsured and underinsured people will receive health care. To accomplish this, financing is needed by way of penalties and tax adjustments. In order to successfully navigate the new reform, employers need to proactively prepare for change.

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Paul Mullin, Partner, was recently elected as an officer for the Onondaga County Bar Foundation. He will begin his new board role of secretary starting in 2011. The Onondaga County Bar Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Onondaga County Bar Association which serves to improve and promote: the administration of justice, professional ethics, as well as legal research and education. Mr. Mullin's practice focuses on the defense of personal injury claims.

James E. Sparkes, Esq. recently addressed the 61st Annual Post-Graduate Review Course for Ophthalmology at the Oncenter.  Mr. Sparkes spoke on the subjects of Health Care Information Technology and Trends in Health Care Regulatory Enforcement.  The continuing education program was sponsored by the Department of Ophthalmology of Upstate Medical University and the Office of Continuing Education.  A partner at Sugarman Law Firm, Mr. Sparkes serves as the firm's director of the Health Industry Practice Group and co-chair of the Business Department.

In November, 2010, Partner Sam Elbadawi joined the Board of Directors of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, which provides legal assistance to individuals and families in need in Onondaga County and the surrounding region. Mr. Elbadawi's practice focuses on the representation of seriously injured persons.

Partner Sam Elbadawi recently settled a personal injury action for $1.2 million.  Mr. Elbadawi represented a 53-year-old homemaker who suffered multiple spinal fractures as a result of a fall from the deck of a riverside vacation property in St. Lawrence County on June 22, 2008.  As a result of the accident, Mr. Elbadawi's client underwent multiple surgeries, including an extensive spinal fusion.  The action against the property owner settled in October, 2010.

Partner Sam Elbadawi lectured on the topic of handling the direct and cross examination of the defendant's vocational rehabilitation expert at a seminar sponsored by the New York State Bar Asociations entitled Construction Site Accidents - 2010 Update, on December 3, 2010.  Mr. Elbadawi's practice is focused on the represention of seriously injured individuals.

Sam Vulcano, Managing Partner and Chair of McMahon-Ryan's upcoming Sounds of the Season event - was featured on Jim Reith’s show this week! Take a listen and learn more about the holiday festivities planned and how it benefits local children and families. To reserve your place, contact 701.2985.

Paul Mullin, Partner, will speak at the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers' continuing legal education seminar, Experts: From Retention to Trial, on December 2, 2010.  He will provide an Overview of New York State and Federal Expert Practice.  Mr. Mullin's practice focuses on the defense of personal injury claims.

Sara Connell Brady presented at the New York State Bar Association's continuing legal education program, Probate and the Adminisitration of Estates at the Renaissance Syracuse Hotel on October 20, 2010.  Brady spoke on on the topic of Administering the Estate and discussed federal and state tax implications on estates at the program.  Brady's practice focuses on estate planning and administration.

Sam Vulcano, Managing Partner, has joined the Syracuse University teaching staff as an Adjunct Professor. He is teaching Emerging Enterprise Law at SU's Whitman School of Management.

Paul Mullin, Partner, will speak at the National Business Institute's seminar entitled Winning Your First Civil Trial.  Geared toward new lawyers, the conference is scheduled for April 28, 2011.  Mr. Mullin's practice focuses on the defense of personal injury claims.

Danielle Mikalajunas Fogel presented on the topic of Medicine 101 for Attorneys at the CLE entitled Medical Malpractice from A-Z on August 31, 2010.  Ms. Fogel's practice focuses on the defense of medical and dental malpractice claims. 

Robert Dwyer, Charlene McGraw, Paul Mullin, James Stevens and Sam Vulcano, all Partners with the firm, have been designated to the Super Lawyers magazine listing of outstanding attorneys. Each Super Lawyer named to the list has attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in their areas of expertise.

Amy Vanderlyke, Associate at the Sugarman Law Firm has joined the Syracuse University teaching staff as an Adjunct Professor. She will be teaching First Amendment Law for Television, Radio and Film (TRF) at the S.I. Newhouse School of Communication. 

James Sparkes has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Council Members and Trustees of the State University of New York (ACT). Sparkes will serve a three year term as a Director of ACT, the statewide representative organization of SUNY Trustees and Council Members. Sparkes is a member of the Upstate Medical University Council by appointment of the New York Governor.

He is a partner at Sugarman Law Firm and concentrates on business and commercial real estate transactions.

Brian Sutter and James Stevens will speak at the 2010 Promark Risk Management Seminar Series on June 15th in Buffalo and June 22nd in Syracuse. The seminar series was developed for those actively implementing BIM. Presentations will cover capabilities and limitations of software and the impact of BIM and IPD on the industry. To register or learn more, visit: http://promarkinsurance.com/Home/DesignProGateway/2010PromarkRiskManagementSeminarSeries