News & Updates 2017
Blumkin & Finlay, LLP of Ithaca joins Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
Blumkin & Finlay LLP, a highly respected law firm in Ithaca, will join with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, effective December 1, 2017. Joy A. Blumkin and Marcie A. Finlay will each be “Of Counsel” to the Firm and will remain in their current offices, which are located in the Gateway Building in Ithaca. This practice will become the third Coughlin & Gerhart office in Ithaca and the second located in the Gateway Building along with the previously merged Albanese Law Offices.
Blumkin & Finlay has been serving the Ithaca area for over 20 years, providing their clients with personalized and professional legal assistance.
The lawyers and staff at Blumkin & Finlay, LLP are dedicated to assisting individuals and families in the areas of Elder Law, Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning, Guardianship, Special Needs Planning, Probate, Estate and Trust Administration and Real Estate.
“We have been looking to strengthen our services to the Ithaca area” according to Mark Gorgos, Managing Partner of Coughlin & Gerhart, “and we believe the Elder Law and Estate experience of Blumkin & Finlay, LLP will enhance and strengthen the mission of both firms to meet our clients’ legal needs.”
Finlay added, “Through this merger with Coughlin & Gerhart, we will expand our ability to serve new and existing clients more efficiently in a broader range of matters.”
Gorgos also indicated that he hopes to bring the three Ithaca office locations, which also includes the former Holmberg Galbraith firm, under one roof in Ithaca within the next eighteen months.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 50 lawyers and a professional support staff. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has branch offices located in Bainbridge, Cortland, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Welcomes New ‘Of Counsel’ Attorney
(Binghamton, NY) —Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is pleased to welcome Russell E. Ruthig, Esq. as Of Counsel to the firm effective August 1. Mr. Ruthig joins C&G after 40+ years as an attorney, currently practicing in Cortland, NY. He will continue to practice out of his Cortland office.
He will focus primarily in the areas of real estate law, small business law, estate planning, elder law and trust and estate administration.
A graduate of Hobart College and Syracuse University College of Law, Mr. Ruthig was admitted to the Bar in New York in 1974. In addition to his practice of law in the Cortland area, he serves as a Member of the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, is a Member of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Susquehanna Valley Presbytery and is a Court Examiner of Guardianship Accounts for Cortland, Tompkins and Tioga Counties.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is happy to welcome Mr. Ruthig. His professional experience, as well as his involvement in the community and numerous legal associations, will be an asset to the firm and its existing and new clients.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 40 lawyers and a professional support staff. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has convenient branch offices located in Ithaca, Owego, Bainbridge, Hancock, Walton, Montrose, Pennsylvania and now Cortland, New York.
Coughlin & Gerhart Partner Admitted to the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
Paul J. Sweeney, Esq., a partner with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, was admitted to the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (“FDCC”), an international defense organization dedicated to the principles of knowledge, justice, and fellowship. Founded in 1936, the FDCC consists of approximately 1400 members located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, and other areas. Mr. Sweeney, who chairs the firm’s Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, represents private and public employers across New York State. He retired as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2013.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 48 lawyers and a professional support staff. It has been recognized as a Best Law Firm and 20 of its attorneys, including Mr. Sweeney, have been listed for recognition in either the New York Upstate or The Best Lawyers in America® publications. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has other branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Coughlin & Gerhart Announces Begeal admitted to Pennsylvania Bar
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Brady L. Begeal recently became newly admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and will be assisting clients at the firm’s Montrose office. Begeal had become a Partner in Coughlin & Gerhart on January 1, 2017.
A graduate of Albany Law School, Mr. Begeal joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 2010 and was admitted to the New York Bar in 2012. Mr. Begeal’s practice is concentrated in the areas of business and banking law, commercial law, municipal and public sector law and will provide service to the firm’s Pennsylvania clients in these practice areas.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 50 lawyers and a professional support staff. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Coughlin & Gerhart Announces New Partner to Firm
Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P is pleased to announce that attorney Brady L. Begeal became a Partner in the firm, effective January 1, 2017.
A graduate of Albany Law School, Mr. Begeal joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 2010 as a Summer Associate and in August 2011 as an Associate. Mr. Begeal’s practice is concentrated in the areas of business and banking law, commercial law, municipal and public sector law. Mr. Begeal is a member of the Broome County and New York State Bar Associations, is a graduate of the Broome Leadership Institute (BLI) and is the Legal Community Campaign Coordinator for the United Way of Broome County. Mr. Begeal has been named as a Rising Star on the New York Upstate SuperLawyers list since 2014.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 50 lawyers and a professional support staff. It has been recognized as a Best Law Firm and 20 of its attorneys have been recognized on either the New York Upstate SuperLawyers list or in The Best Lawyers in America®. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has other branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Holmberg Galbraith, LLP of Ithaca joins Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
The law firm of Holmberg Galbraith, LLP of Ithaca has joined Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP effective January 1, 2017. Anna Holmberg and Dirk Galbraith have joined C&G in an “Of Counsel” role and Michael Perehinec, Jr. has joined C&G as a Senior Associate. With Holmberg Galbraith’s current location at 118 N. Tioga Street in Ithaca, this practice will become the second Coughlin & Gerhart office in Tompkins County.
Holmberg Galbraith, LLP has a well-earned reputation for providing high quality, personal service to its clients. The origins of the firm date back to 1988. Anna Holmberg and Dirk Galbraith have each been practicing law in the Ithaca area for over 35 years. Holmberg has extensive experience in estate planning, trust and estate administration and real estate law. Over the years, she has served on the boards of a number of local not-for-profit organizations. Galbraith has expertise handling civil litigation, matrimonial and commercial and business law. Galbraith also currently serves as the Chairperson for the Appellate Division’s Third Department Attorney Grievance Committee. Perehinec’s practice areas include landlord/tenant law, civil litigation, family law, real estate and criminal defense. He is active in the Tompkins County Special Olympics program and is a board member on two local not-for-profit organizations as well as serving as the Tompkins County High School Mock Trial Coordinator.
“We have had great success with our existing office in Ithaca since our affiliation with Jon in 2009. We believe the addition of Holmberg Galbraith will enhance and strengthen the scope and depth of our practice in Ithaca and the surrounding communities,” said Mark S. Gorgos, Managing Partner of Coughlin & Gerhart.
In addition to the existing practice areas of Holmberg Galbraith, Coughlin & Gerhart adds experience in complex litigation, business and banking, workers’ compensation and social security disability, municipal and education law and labor and employment law.
Anna Holmberg added, “Through this alliance with Coughlin & Gerhart, we will be able to offer a greater variety of legal services to a broad range of clients, while keeping our core practice in place.”
Coughlin & Gerhart Attorney Presents at NYCOM Legislative Meeting
Paul J. Sweeney, Esq., a partner with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, presented at the 2017 Winter Legislative Meeting of the New York State Conference of Mayors. Mr. Sweeney, who chairs the firm’s Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, spoke on effective employee discipline practices to representatives of cities and villages from across New York State.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP represents public and private sector employers throughout New York State. Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 48 lawyers and a professional support staff. It has been recognized as a Best Law Firm and 20 of its attorneys, including Mr. Sweeney, have been recognized on either the New York Upstate SuperLawyers list or in The Best Lawyers in America®. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has other branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
C & G Attorney Speaks at The Landlords Association of Tompkins County
Michael C. Perehinec, Jr., Esq., an Associate with Coughlin & Gerhart’s Tioga Place, Ithaca office was a featured legal speaker at The Landlords Association of Tompkins County on Monday, January 23, 2017.
The question and answer format meeting focused on landlord/tenant law and related tenant disputes. Mr. Perehinec also discussed objectionable tenancies and the steps to evict an objectionable tenant.
Mr. Perehinec’s practice includes civil litigation and appeals, personal injury, trusts and estates, business and commercial law, real estate law and criminal defense.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP represents public and private sector employers throughout New York State. The firm, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 45 lawyers and a professional support staff. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Paul F. Eaton Jr., Esq. and Carl A. Griffith, Esq. of Sidney join Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
Mark Gorgos, Managing Partner of Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, has announced that Paul F. Eaton Jr. and Carl A. Griffith of Sidney will be joining Coughlin & Gerhart effective January 1, 2017.
Eaton and Griffith will join Coughlin & Gerhart in an “Of Counsel” role and will be located at the firm’s branch office at 29 N. Main Street in Bainbridge, along with partners Beth Westfall and Meiying Austin, currently the primary attorneys at the Bainbridge branch.
The law firm of Eaton & Griffith has been providing legal services to Sidney area residents and businesses since 1973. According to Eaton, “For over 43 years, we have had the privilege and good fortune to practice law in the Tri-Town area. We are confident that our new affiliation will achieve our goals of securing continuity and consistency in providing quality legal services to our clients.” Griffith added “We are both looking forward to our new association with Coughlin & Gerhart and anticipate a smooth transition as we go forward.”
The alliance between Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP and the Eaton & Griffith firm means additional experience in real estate, estate planning, elder law, trust and estate administration and municipal law. Clients in the Tri-Town area will also benefit from the support of the entire firm and its full range of legal experience.
“We are honored that such fine lawyers as Paul Eaton and Carl Griffith would look to us for this new affiliation” said Mark Gorgos, the firm’s Managing Partner. “They will certainly strengthen and enhance our long-term presence in the Tri-Town area.”
C & G Attorney Speaks at Physician Seminar in New York City
Paul J. Sweeney, Esq., a partner with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP was the featured legal speaker at a seminar hosted by the New York Occupational and Environmental Medical Association at Lenox Hill Hospital on October 30, 2016.
Mr. Sweeney, who chairs the firm’s Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, was asked to speak on medical leave and disability issues to occupational health and environmental medicine physicians from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP represents public and private sector employers throughout New York State. The firm, which was founded in the 1890’s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm, consisting of more than 45 lawyers and a professional support staff. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton. It has other branch offices located in Bainbridge, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton and Montrose, Pennsylvania.
C&G Recognized as a Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is recognized among an elite group of organizations as a 2015 Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association. This award comes as a result of the Firm’s efforts to maintain a health conscious work environment and culture of wellness. Coughlin & Gerhart, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, promotes workplace wellness and understands its role in improving the wellbeing of their employees and the legal services that they provide.
Coughlin and Gerhart, LLP Named 2017 Best Law Firm
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America® has named Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP as a Metropolitan Tier 1 Best Law Firm for the Binghamton, New York region in the areas of Personal Injury Litigation as well as Banking and Finance Law. The Firm has also received the Best Law Firm distinction as a Metropolitan Tier 2 Best Law Firm for the Binghamton, New York region in the area of Real Estate Law and as a Metropolitan Tier 3 Best Law Firm for the Binghamton, New York in the area of Family Law.
Firms included in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area, a law firm must have at least one lawyer who is included in The Best Lawyers in America ®, in that particular practice area. Seven C&G attorneys are included in this list for 2017. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for its abilities, its professionalism and its integrity.
” U.S. News is the global authority in rankings,” says Tim Smart, Executive Editor of U.S. News & World Report. “Evaluating law firms is a natural extension of what we do best.”