Business Support

Interested in starting a business, but not sure which entity is right for you? We can help, whether it be::

• Forming a B Corporation
• Setting Up an S Corporation
• Creating LLCs or PLLCs
• Organizing Community Groups
• Buying a Business 
• Selling a Business
• Merging Businesses
• Dissolving/Closing a Business
• Setting Up a Not-for-Profit 
  
  

To support your business, we also have experience in:

• Employment Law
• Commercial Law

Family Matters

We help clients navigate the turmoil of difficult relationships, helping find the solution that best fits a client's needs and goals in disputes such as:

• Child Custody & Visitation

• Child Support
• Relocation
• Adoption
• Separation Agreements
• Divorce
• Spousal Maintenance
• Alternatives to Court

Title IX, College Discipline, and Student Misconduct Defense Matters

Representing Accused Students: We have decades of experience defending and advising students accused of Title IX and other student code of conduct violations at Cornell University, Ithaca College, Binghamton University, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Geneseo, and other universities in upstate New York. Our experience includes defending students accused of Title IX violations (rape, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, and violation of no-contact orders), drug possession and alcohol offenses, hazing, assault, fake ID possession, criminal mischief and trespassing, theft, Academic Integrity violations, and other misconduct.  We successfully obtained findings of “not responsible” both after hearings and complaints being dismissed after investigation.  We have also achieved favorable outcomes by resolving cases through the university’s alternate or informal resolution processes and negotiating with the university’s student conduct office.  We have experience with complaints with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights against universities for adverse decisions.  We are knowledgeable and up to date about the latest changes to federal Title IX regulations, state law, and university policies, as well as recent litigation.

Representing Complainants: We have experience advising student complainants and witnesses in a variety of campus matters, from minor offenses to Title IX.  

Representing Student Organizations: We also have experience in defending and advising student groups accused of student conduct or Title IX violations.  

Why Get A Lawyer? Finding yourself, your son or daughter, or your organization accused of violating a college’s Code of Conduct or Title IX policy can be a stressful time.  You might be wondering, do I need a lawyer? Lawyers can be essential in a student misconduct proceeding.  We help protect your rights, help you organize and present your side of the story, conduct cross-examination at hearings, where permitted, and take the steps needed to preserve your argument if further challenges or litigation are pursued.  We guide you through every step of the process.  The consequences of a Title IX or Student Conduct violation can be very serious and can impact your graduation and future education opportunities.  If you or your son or daughter is accused of a campus offense, please call us today and we would be happy to talk you through how we can help.

Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Whether you're fresh out of grad school, newly married, combining families, or starting retirement, we can assist you and your family with:

• Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Health Care Proxy/Living Wills
• Trusts
• Estate Administration/Probate
• Standby Letters of Guardianship

Greek Life & Student Groups

With decades of experience as students, supportive alumni and national leaders, we guide clients through issues facing Fraternities, Sororities and other student organizations, including:

• Risk Management Training
• Officer Training
• Tailored Seminars
  
• Campus Disciplinary Proceedings
• Supporting Alumni Groups
• Not-for-Profit Corporations
• Building/Fire Code Compliance
• Real Property Management
• Landlord/Tenant Issues
• University Relations
• Rent and Dues Collections

Residential Real Estate

For many people, buying a home is their single biggest investment.  Use our experience to advise you on:

• Evaluating a Contract to Buy/Sell
• Relationships with Brokers
• Construction Issues
• Challenging Tax Assessments
• Evaluate Mortgage Options
• Foreclosures
• Boundary Line Issues
• Zoning/Code Compliance
• Leases
• Evictions

Commercial Real Estate

We have decades of experience helping large and small real estate businesses with: 

• Buying and Selling Income Properties
• Sec. 1031 Exchanges
• Construction Issues
• Challenging Tax Assessments
• Evaluate Financing Options
• Partnerships/Joint Ventures
• Foreclosures
• Boundary Line Issues
• Zoning/Code Compliance
• Leases
• Evictions

Criminal

We put our decades of experience to help defend clients in the criminal process, including:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Other Traffic Charges
• Violations (open container, harassment)
• Misdemeanors (assault, theft, mischief) 
• Sexual Assault/Harassment

LGBTQIA+ Family Law

We value each individual client's gender expression, identity, and sexual orientation. Please reach out so we can help support you and your loved ones in navigating estate planning and other forms of relationship protections.

Litigation

If you have been served with a lawsuit, or have been unable to come to an agreement with an opponent, we will zealously advocate your position and guide you through the Court process. We are experienced in representing clients at trial in a variety of cases in Town, State, and Federal Courts.

Alternatives to Litigation

Court is not always the first or best way to resolve disputes. Based on our experience and training, we will help you choose the way to resolve your disputes that works best for you or your business, including through:

• Negotiation
• Mediation 
• Collaborative Law: https://collab-law.com/
• Arbitration

Appeals

Sometimes even after a well-researched and carefully conducted trial, the result is not in your favor. Based on decades of experience and, in Ms. DeWeese’s case, working for an appellate court, we have deep experience in crafting compelling arguments on appeal both to appellate courts and for appeals within college and university disciplinary proceedings.