WHITEMAN OSTERMAN & HANNA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Counsel
- Board Member, Secretary and Chair of Professional Advisor Council for Community Foundation
Amy O'Connor concentrates her practice on elder law, estate planning, and trust and estate administration encompassing all aspects of trusts and estates law and elder law, including probate and administration of estates and trusts, established of revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, health care proxies, living wills, and powers of attorney.
Ms. Seitelman is a commercial litigator in the Firm's Litigation and Appeals practice group. Anna has successfully litigated a broad range of matters before state and federal courts, including corporate and business litigation disputes, land use, zoning, and commercial development litigation as well as complex property, breach of contract, and insurance coverage actions. Anna also has a track record of success litigating cases involving religious rights, civil rights, and constitutional issues.
Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Seitelman served as the Senior Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Michael C. Lynch and as an Appellate Court Attorney at the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department.
Affiliations
Ms. Seitelman is admitted to practice in New York State courts, as well as the Federal District Courts for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of New York. She is a member of the Appellate Division, Third Department's Character and Fitness Committee, the New York State Bar Association, and Albany County Bar Association.
Anthony Bjelke joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in January 2022. Mr. Bjelke was previously an associate at Rivkin Radler LLP and a publication contributor for the Federal Circuit Bar Association.
Mr. Bjelke has litigated on behalf of clients across New York State and the country including municipalities, insurers, civic groups, corporations, and individuals on a variety of subjects from major environmental contamination claims and commercial contract disputes to zoning issues and real property tax grievances. Mr. Bjelke also counsels and litigates on behalf of clients on a variety of clients on insurance coverage issues.
April Dalbec is a skilled litigator and trial attorney who is the Co-Chair of the Firm's Matrimonial and Family Law practice group. She is also a member of the Firm's Litigation practice group. Ms. Dalbec has over twenty years of litigation and trial experience in both civil and criminal matters. Her practice primarily focuses on matrimonial law (prenuptial agreements, divorce actions, post-nuptial and separation agreements, hearings and trials), and family court matters (custody, family offenses, domestic violence and child support). Ms. Dalbec continues to practice in the area of plaintiff's personal injury matters.
April joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in 2020. Prior to joining the Firm, she was with McNamee Lochner P.C., in the matrimonial and litigation departments for 10 years.
Ms. Dalbec served as the 36th President of the Capital District Women's Bar Association. Member of the New York State Bar Association. Currently serving on the New York State Bar Association's Family Law Section Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Domestic Violence Committee of the Family Law section. April is also a member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Albany County Bar Association. Additionally, April was appointed to the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Third Judicial District, Supreme Court, Appellate Division. April serves on the board and is an active member of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York.
Job Titles:
- Award for Exceptional Zoning Board Chairman, New York Planning Federation, 2016
David R. Everett is a partner in the Firm's Environmental, Municipal and Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use, and Energy and Telecommunications Practice Groups. His areas of expertise include land use law, zoning and planning, real estate development, SEQRA compliance, solid waste management and environmental regulations. Mr. Everett routinely lectures on SEQRA compliance, zoning and planning issues and environmental permitting regulations throughout New York State for the N.Y. Association of Towns and N.Y. Planning Federation, among others.
Donald Kinsella has more than 40 years of experience in complex criminal and civil litigation. Over a distinguished career, Mr. Kinsella prosecuted or defended several high profile federal and State criminal cases in New York. Drawing on his experience as the former Criminal Chief of the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Mr. Kinsella is recognized nationally for his effectiveness and skill.
Affiliations
Mr. Kinsella is admitted to practice in New York State courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, Vermont, and the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
He is a past President of the Federal Court Bar Association of the Northern District of New York; a former member of the Executive Committee of the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association; and is a Member of the Practitioners Advisory Committee of the United States Sentencing Commission.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Geoffrey A. Rafalik joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in October 2021. He is a member of the Firm's Estate Planning and Administration Practice Group.
Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, Mr. Rafalik ran his own law practice and was named a Super Lawyer "Rising Star" in 2020 and 2021 for the Estate Planning practice area.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Partner
- Member of the New York State
Mr. Faucher joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in 2013 and brings +35 years of experience in the areas of environmental, permitting, and economic development. His practice has focused on state and local regulation of industrial, commercial and residential real estate development projects, land use and zoning, SEQRA, environmental permitting and remediation, brownfields cleanup, identifying and accessing state and local economic development and benefit programs, innovative use of PILOT Agreements, Indian law, site selection and acquisition, and other related areas.
Mr. Faucher also has extensive experience and an established practice in Indian law matters. He has represented a New-York area Indian nation for the past decade. The practice has focused on handling numerous transactions, including capital projects, programming, design, siting and construction totalling more than $150 million. Mr. Faucher has negotiated of dozens of contracts in the area of government-to-government, construction, consulting, real property acquisition and the like. Mr. Faucher has developed a keen understanding of the fundamental self-governance and sovereignty principles that are critical to Indian nations and routinely integrates those into complex construction, business and other Indian nation projects.
Mr. Faucher is a member of the New York State and Florida Bars.
J. Rochelle Cavanagh is a skilled and experienced Family Law trial attorney. Ms. Cavanagh has been practicing exclusively in Family and Matrimonial law for over a decade, and as such has extensive experience in almost every type of Family Law matter, including, divorce, child support, custody, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship and appeals. Ms. Cavanagh operates with a client-centered approach, designing strategies specific to each client and their individualized goals. This can include efforts at amicable, but fair, resolutions as well as extensive and complex litigation, and everything in between.
Affiliations
Ms. Cavanagh is a member of the New York State Bar Association where she is an active member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section and serves as Co-Chair of the Legislation Committee. Ms. Cavanagh has instructed multiple continuing education courses for attorneys through the State Bar including courses on Family Law trial practice and evidence.
Ms. Cavanagh has been named to the New York Family Law Super Lawyers list in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, as well as Best Lawyers in 2020 and 2021. Ms. Cavanagh has also been named as a top 10 under 40 Family Law Attorney by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Retired Partner
Jason DiMarino is a partner in the Business, Corporate and Commercial and Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Groups of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. Mr. DiMarino focuses on advising investors and operating companies in venture capital financings, private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions and recapitalizations. He also regularly represents businesses and business owners in a wide range of general corporate contracting and corporate governance matters.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Firm 's Litigation
Jennifer Yetto joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in August 2021. Ms. Yetto is a member of the Firm's Litigation and Appeals Group. Ms. Yetto litigates a broad range of matters, including corporate disputes, commercial real estate and construction litigation, civil rights and constitutional claims, land use, zoning and commercial development litigation, complex personal injury litigation, and employment litigation. Ms. Yetto also performs pro bono work, including the litigation of a prisoner civil rights trial in Federal Court.
Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Yetto was an associate at Wollmuth Maher and Deutsch in New York, New York, where she litigated all aspects of complex commercial litigation and arbitration in both State and federal court, including appeals in the Second Circuit and First Department of New York State, representing institutional investors and insurance companies. Previously, Ms. Yetto was a judicial intern for the Hon. Debra Freeman, United States magistrate judge for the Southern District of New York. Additionally, Ms. Yetto was a legal intern with the Securities and Exchange Commission in New York, New York.
Affiliations
Ms. Yetto is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the Rensselaer County Bar Association, New York City Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Ms. Yetto also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club.
John Privitera primarily represents clients in assessing risk, achieving compliance, solving problems, defending enforcement actions, developing projects and resolving challenging environmental issues. He is active in all areas of environmental law including land use, environmental litigation, enforcement, citizen suits, regulatory affairs, compliance matters, hazardous wastes and natural resource damages. Mr. Privitera also provides advice and counsel regarding the environmental aspects of business transactions and energy matters.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Counsel
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Early Childhood Education Center
John L. Allen joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP as a partner in January, 2006 after nearly twenty years as a member of Shanley, Sweeney, Reilly & Allen, P.C. His areas of expertise include commercial and residential real estate financing, including construction loan financing and securitized financing for both borrowers and lenders; commercial leasing, including shopping centers and office buildings for landlords and tenants; and commercial real estate acquisitions, including land assemblages, and sales, including tax-deferred exchanges.
Mr. Allen has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Early Childhood Education Center, a pre-school program for children with special needs, since 1992. He is also a member of the Siena College Saints Alive! Advisory Council and Co-President of the Academy of the Holy Names Booster Club. Since 1971, he has served as an Admissions Volunteer for Haverford College. He is also a former member of the Siena College Board of Associate Trustees and the Wildwood Programs, Inc. Board of Directors.
Mr. Allen is a graduate of Haverford College (B.A., 1970), State University of New York at Albany (M.S., 1972) and Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1976).
Joseph Zeitler joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in September 2021. Mr. Zeitler was previously a summer associate with the Firm.
Affiliations
Mr. Zeitler is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Counsel
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Judge Barry Kramer started his judicial career in 1993 after being elected to serve on the Schenectady County Surrogate's Court and was then elected to the Supreme Court serving in the Fourth Judicial District in 2010. Previously, Judge Kramer joined the law firm of Higgins Roberts Beyerl & Coan where he became Partner and President of the firm. In 2018, Judge Kramer received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Schenectady County Bar Association and previously was awarded the Harold E. Koreman Award in 2001 for his commitment to the Administration of Justice with Fairness and Compassion from the N.Y.S. Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Kramer will concentrate his practice on litigation assisting with mediation and arbitration matters.
Affiliations
Since 1968, Judge Kramer has been a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Katherine B. Herlihy is a partner with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. Ms. Herlihy is engaged in all facets of government relations representation. Ms. Herlihy represents clients in legislative and regulatory matters before the State Legislature and Executive Chamber, as well as various state agencies including the Department of Financial Services, Department of Health, State Education Department, Department of Environmental Conservation, Workers Compensation Board, and State Liquor Authority. She also advises clients on campaign finance and lobbying law compliance.
Prior to rejoining the Firm, Ms. Herlihy was Director and Counsel to the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). At LICONY, Ms. Herlihy was responsible for representing the interests of life insurance carriers before the Legislature, as well as before the Department of Financial Services on regulatory and compliance issues pertaining to life insurance and annuities, disability insurance, dental insurance, and supplemental health insurance products. Ms. Herlihy has particular experience with New York's Paid Family Leave program, having represented the interests of New York's disability insurance carriers in the creation and implementation of New York's Paid Family Leave Program.
Affiliations
Ms. Herlihy is admitted to practice in New York. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Adirondack Women's Bar Association and the Warren County Bar Association. Ms. Herlihy is also a member of the Glens Falls Hospital Board of Governors and the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, and was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Positive Health.
Ms. Herlihy has also been selected as one of Albany's "40 Under 40 Rising Stars" by City & State magazine for her government relations work.
Ms. Wentworth-Ping joined Whiteman Osterman and Hanna in 2022. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Wentworth-Ping was an investigations, compliance, and white-collar defense associate at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP, in Albany, New York, and a litigation associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, in New York City.
Affiliations
Ms. Wentworth-Ping is admitted to practice in New York State.
Lou Lewis - Chief Legal Officer
Mackenzie Clark joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in October 2020. Ms. Clark was previously a summer associate with the Firm. Ms. Clark is an associate in the Firm's Labor and Employment Law and Education Practice Groups. Ms. Clark represents both public and private employers, including school districts and colleges, on a wide range of education and employment law issues.
Affiliations
Ms. Clark is admitted to practice in New York State.
Marcos A. Grael Jr. joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in October 2020 in the Immigration Practice Group. Mr. Grael was previously a law clerk and summer associate with the Firm. Prior to joining the Firm, he worked as a law clerk at the Immigration Law Clinic, Justice Center at Albany Law School, and he won the Outstanding Clinical Student Award (2020) for his work in representing immigrant clients. He also served as a judicial intern with the Honorable Mae A. D'Agostino, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mr. Grael speaks fluent Portuguese.
Affiliations
Mr. Grael is admitted to practice in New York State. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Partner
- Co - Chair of the Matrimonial
- Officer of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section
Michelle Haskin is Co-Chair of the Matrimonial and Family Law practice group and practices exclusively in the field of matrimonial and family law, concentrating on divorce, custody, support; domestic violence, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; and interstate issues. Ms. Haskin has over 25 years of extensive experience in representing clients in both Supreme and Family Court, as well as litigation and negotiations of resolutions of these matters.
Ms. Haskin currently serves as an officer of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section and will be ascending to Chair of the section during 2026. She also serves as the only practicing attorney representative from the 3rd Judicial District on the statewide Matrimonial Practice Advisory and Rules Committee. This committee is chaired by Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial matters and makes recommendations on legislative proposals; court rules and court forms; and develops best practices to assist Judges, litigants and attorneys. Previously, Ms. Haskin served as co-chair of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York's Matrimonial Committee for over 10 years. She also served as a Past President of the Capital District Women's Bar Association. Ms. Haskin is an Honorary Board and Steering Committee Member of The Legal Project, Inc., and is a member of the Domestic Violence Legal Connection. Ms. Haskin was a member of a small working group of bar leaders tasked to draft the proposed Maintenance Guidelines statute, which then became a formal proposal and was enacted by the legislature and signed into law in the form presented.
Ms. Haskin is an author and lecturer for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs sponsored by Albany Law School, and the New York State Bar Association Additionally, Ms. Haskin is the author of Pitfalls of Practice, Matrimonial Law Chapter, and New York State Bar Association.
Molly Parlin joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in November 2021 and is a member of the Firm's Environmental Practice. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Parlin was a Volunteer Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Protection Bureau of the New York State Attorney General's Office.
Affiliations
Ms. Parlin is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Nicole Clouthier is a partner in the Firm's Estate Planning and Administration Practice Group where she concentrates her practice on sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration, and estate tax planning.
Nicole has a diverse client base ranging from young professionals and new parents, to established executives and business owners looking to minimize estate taxes, protect their assets, and transfer wealth to younger generations.
Nicole recognizes that each client is unique and has a different set of planning needs. With that in mind, her goal is to develop a long-term relationship with her clients in order to implement a plan that addresses their individual needs and circumstances.
Affiliations
Nicole is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Capital District Women's Bar Association, and the Schenectady County Bar Association.
Oriana Kiley is a litigator in the Firm's Litigation and Appeals practice group with a focus on federal practice. Oriana primarily represents law enforcement officials, medical professionals and state agencies in cases involving civil rights and constitutional issues, as well as Title VII and employment related matters. Oriana also has experience in class action defense, administrative proceedings, investigations, Title IX, personal injury and corporate disputes.
Prior to joining the Firm, Oriana served as Associate Counsel to the Bureau of Labor Relations at the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. In this capacity, she specialized in serious employee misconduct and disciplinary arbitration hearings, Title VII discrimination claims, DHR and EEOC matters. Oriana is also a former trial attorney with the New York State Office of the Attorney General whereby she represented state employees in federal civil rights matters including First, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment issues. Finally, she began her career as an associate in a criminal defense and personal injury litigation firm in New York City.
Paul Van Cott has over thirty years of New York State government experience as a land use and environmental attorney for the Adirondack Park Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of the Attorney General. After retiring from public service, Paul joined the firm in 2019 and has primarily focused on obtaining land use approvals for large-scale and other commercial development projects, as well as representing local planning and zoning boards. More recently, Paul, who is based in the Adirondack Park, has begun actively assisting clients with matters involving the Adirondack Park Agency, where he served as a managing attorney for over 15 years. Paul offers strong analytical, strategic, and communication skills, and an unmatched commitment to achieving desired and timely outcomes for clients.
Mr. Van Cott received his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from Stetson University.
Richard primarily practices in the general business law area with an emphasis on taxation. He has wide-ranging experience in legal issues facing businesses includes: organizing corporations, limited liability companies, purchasing and selling businesses, leveraged buy-out transactions, financing arrangements, capital raising, venture capital, leasing and leveraged leasing, reorganizations/restructurings, shareholder agreements and disputes, qualified pension/profit sharing plans, ESOPs, and executive compensation plans. Mr. Langer represents clients in disputes with federal and state taxing authorities. Mr. Langer also engages in estate and management succession planning, particularly involving interests in closely-held businesses.
Mr. Langer was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Albany Law School from 1975-1999, where he taught courses in business planning and corporate taxation.
Richard Cirincione's practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, estate litigation, and guardianship law. Mr. Cirincione provides estate planning for individuals and handles all phases of the administration of estates and trusts, including the preparation of estate tax returns and fiduciary accountings.
With extensive experience in estate litigation related to Wills and Trusts, Mr. Cirincione has represented clients in Will contests, both in support of a purported Will and to object to a Will. He has also represented clients in proceedings to construe and reform Wills and Trusts. Through his practice, he prepares estate and trust accountings, and represents clients in contested accounting proceedings. He has substantial experience litigating in many different Surrogate's Courts across New York State.
Affiliations
Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Cirincione worked as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Cirincione is admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Florida. He is a former member of the board of directors of several local not for profit organizations.
Mr. Cirincione is an AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®, and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013, and Super Lawyers® since 2015.
Mr. Cirincione is a frequent lecturer for continuing education programs for the Trusts and Estates section of the New York State Bar Association.
Robert McLaughlin focusing his practice on gaming and lottery law, financial transactions, and government compliance. Mr. McLaughlin assists gaming facilities, online gaming providers, state lotteries, and other entities in matters involving compliance with the complex federal and State regulation governing the gaming industry. A former Chief Executive Officer, Director and General Counsel at the New York Lottery, Mr. McLaughlin oversaw the regulatory development of the nation's first finite-pool video lottery gaming system as well as the implementation of eight video lottery gaming facilities across the State. As bond counsel, Mr. McLaughlin has represented the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (where he was the former General Counsel) and the New York State Energy Resource and Development Authority/New York Green Bank. Mr. McLaughlin has also represented numerous industrial development agencies and municipalities in the State.
Samantha Choppa joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in October 2020. Ms. Choppa previously was a law clerk at the Firm.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Partner
- Co - Chair of the ADR Committee of the Northern District of New York
Mr. Barbour concentrates his practice representing corporate and institutional clients involved in various civil and commercial litigation including railroad, products liability and contract litigation. He also has extensive trial and appellate experience in both the federal and state courts throughout New York with emphasis on matters pending in federal courts. He has an active ADR practice as he is regularly selected to act as a mediator or arbitrator for pending cases.
Mr. Barbour is co-chair of the ADR Committee of the Northern District of New York; Mediator for the United States District Court, Northern District of New York; Mediator for New York Supreme Court, 4th Department; and is a member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel. Mr. Barbour has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for Commercial Litigation in Albany, NY.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Counsel
- Co - Chair of the Public Agency Regulatory Compliance Practice Group
Scott Fein serves as Co-chair of the Public Agency Regulatory Compliance Practice Group at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna where he has been an attorney since 1983. Since joining the Firm, Mr. Fein has devoted his time almost exclusively to regulatory compliance, internal investigations, litigation and the defense of civil and criminal enforcement matters.
Mr. Fein serves as:
Member, Governor's Task Force on the Implementation of the Public Authorities Reform Act;
Member, Court of Appeals Permanent Commission on Sentencing;
Chair, Albany Law School Government Law Center Board of Advisors;
Counsel, New York State Archives Partnership Trust;
Chair, NYS Bar Association Annual Ethics and Civility Program (Albany); and
Counsel, Equinox, Inc. social service agency.
Ms. DiDonato joined Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, LLP in 2020 as Of Counsel in the Education and Labor and Employment Practice Groups. She primarily advises education clients on a wide range of education law and regulatory matters, including student disciplinary issues, contracts, employee issues, and board policies. She has extensive experience conducting employee and student investigations.
Prior joining the Firm, Ms. DiDonato served as in-house counsel to Questar III BOCES where she was a member of the organization's executive team and school emergency response team. She provided day-to-day guidance and support to the board of education and district superintendent on policy development, compliance with education and employment laws, contracts, special education issues, student issues, and Medicaid compliance. She was the designated NYS Education Department's Testing Security Unit Compliance Officer for Questar III's region.
Ms. DiDonato started her legal career with the New York State Department of State as a member of its Counsel's office. There, she served in progressively demanding in-house counsel positions supporting the multi-purpose state agency, including undertaking executive-level special projects, legislative program development, and providing advice to agency program areas. These included local governments, land use, licensing, State regulations, and corporations. She was the lead author/editor for the Report of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government Consolidation (1993) and Quality Communities Interagency Task Force report, "State and Local Governments Partnering for a Better New York" (2001).
Affiliations
Ms. DiDonato is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Vincent L. Valenza provides legal advice, practical advice and assistance to business owners, CEOs and CFOs with respect to a broad range of business issues and transactions including the formation and operation of business entities; business start-ups; business expansions through mergers and acquisitions; shareholder, member and partner buyouts; raising capital via debt and equity financing, including private placements; investment of capital in new, emerging and established businesses; real estate transactions, federal, State and local tax planning and dispute resolution; and family business and management succession planning. Mr. Valenza also counsels not-for-profit organizations on issues of formation, operation and tax-exempt status.
Mr. Valenza is a former adjunct professor at Albany Law School where he taught a course on business planning, covering business startup, financing and joint ventures.