Bond Elects Ten New Members – Largest Class in 121 Year History
January 28, 2018
(Syracuse, NY): Bond, Schoeneck & King is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2018, 10 attorneys have been elected as members of the firm. This is the largest induction of new members in firm history. According to Kevin Bernstein, chairman of the firm’s management committee, the reason for such a large class “was a confluence of talent and merit by a deserving group of attorneys.” Bernstein went on to say that “2017 was an excellent year for Bond and, although we don’t make decisions about admission to membership based on how we do, we had an outstanding group of talent who—no matter how we did—deserved to advance to membership. This indeed is a high point for us and we will continue with this model of rewarding the hard work and dedication of our associates and lateral hires each year.”
The new members are Jeffrey F. Allen (Litigation – Rochester), Dori K. Bailey (Business and Transactions – Syracuse), Michael P. Collins (Labor and Employment – New York City), Adam C. Kerlek (Trust and Estate – Naples), Robert F. Manfredo (Labor and Employment – Albany), Jason J. Montgomery (Collegiate Sports – Kansas City), Daniel J. Pautz (Litigation – Syracuse), Katherine Ritts Schafer (Labor and Employment – Syracuse), Thomas W. Simcoe (Business and Transactions – Albany) and J.P. Wright (Litigation – Syracuse).
Bond Member Bios:
Jeffrey F. Allen has extensive experience in providing commercial litigation services to clients in a wide range of industries, including industrial manufacturing, waste management, materials design, website development and internet marketing, and entertainment. Jeff has litigated claims and tried cases in state and federal courts involving business torts, contract breaches, intellectual property infringement, trade secret misappropriation, shareholder disputes, property disputes, and defamation. In addition to Jeff’s commercial litigation experience, he represents and advises clients in employment matters.
Dori K. Bailey is a business attorney with extensive experience representing public and private companies and private equity firms in domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, intellectual property licensing, contract negotiation, financing, and regulatory compliance matters. Dori has handled significant transactions in the software, information technology, financial services, communications, manufacturing, hospitality, aviation, automotive, and defense industries. She has particular knowledge and experience in banking and credit union law and regulation, and has published and presented articles on banking and other regulatory topics. Dori is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Syracuse University College of Law.
Michael P. Collins represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law, including trials and appeals in federal and state courts and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board and administrative agencies. He has extensive experience defending discrimination, sexual harassment, constructive discharge, retaliation, and whistleblower claims, conducting workplace investigations, and in litigation involving restrictive covenants, employment contracts, defamation and the control of business entities. Michael has also defended employers in class/collective actions under the FLSA, represented numerous clients in commercial disputes and written and lectured on a variety of labor and employment law topics.
Adam C. Kerlek is a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates lawyer, who concentrates his practice on complex estate planning and generational wealth transfer. He works closely with high-net worth families to develop long-term strategies to minimize taxes, preserve and protect assets, and achieve philanthropic goals. He has counseled his clients in prudently transferring hundreds of millions of dollars of wealth to new generations. Adam works with executors and trustees in administering estates and trusts, including handling controversies, trust modifications, accountings, and tax audits. Adam also advises closely held businesses and charities with regard to governance, transactions, and tax planning.
Robert F. Manfredo is an experienced labor and employment attorney who counsels employers on a vast array of employment laws and regulations. Rob works with employers in a broad range of industries, including higher education, non-profit, construction and health care. He is an experienced litigator representing employers in federal and state courts, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the United States Department of Labor, the New York State Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance Division and Division of Labor Standards, the National Labor Relations Board, and in grievances and arbitrations filed by unionized employees.
Jason J. Montgomery represents colleges, universities and student-athletes nationwide in NCAA enforcement, eligibility, compliance and athletics regulatory matters. Jason has extensive experience in intercollegiate athletics and NCAA regulatory matters after serving as an athletics compliance officer at a major NCAA Division I institution and in various positions at the NCAA National Office including as an NCAA investigator and member of the NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs staff. His unique experience assists clients address NCAA enforcement, eligibility and athletics compliance issues from a variety of perspectives to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Daniel J. Pautz is a trial attorney who handles litigation matters on behalf of individuals, corporations, insurance companies and public entities. Daniel’s practice focuses on litigating business and commercial disputes ranging from large institutions to small businesses. He has extensive experience in defending toxic tort and other negligence claims in the areas of products liability, premises liability and motor vehicle accidents. He is also well-versed in the areas of professional malpractice, criminal defense and collection law. Daniel also serves as President of the Onondaga Free Library Board of Trustees, and as a volunteer coach for Geddes Little League.
Katherine Ritts Schafer is a management-side labor and employment law attorney with experience representing private and public sector employers in federal and state courts, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Department of Labor, the Unemployment Insurance Division, the National Labor Relations Board, and in grievances and arbitrations. Her practice includes counseling management in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including discrimination and harassment complaints, employee discipline, handbook policies, separation agreements, and wage and hour issues. She is a frequent lecturer and conducts in-house training for management.
Thomas W. Simcoe advises nonprofit and business clients on all aspects of tax and legal compliance and planning. He counsels the full spectrum of nonprofit clients, including charitable, health care, and educational institutions, on the unique issues that they navigate every day, including obtaining and maintaining tax exempt status, corporate governance, mergers, and acquisitions, charitable gift negotiation and administration, and beyond. Tom regularly represents clients in federal and state tax audits, in matters before the Attorney General, and in other related administrative law matters. Tom is a member of the firm’s tax, exempt organizations, business, and public finance practice groups.
J.P. Wright represents individuals, corporations, insurance companies, municipalities, universities, and school districts, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in civil litigation matters in state and federal courts. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, personal injury, premises liability, and creditor’s rights. J.P. has trial experience in state and federal court and has argued appeals before the New York State Appellate Division in the First, Third, and Fourth Departments. He also has experience resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution procedures, including mediation and arbitration.
Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC is a law firm with 250 lawyers serving individuals, companies and public sector entities in a broad range of practice areas. Bond has eight offices in New York State and offices in Naples, Florida and Kansas City.
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