News & Updates

Coughlin & Gerhart Proud to Sponsor FREE Summer Concert Series

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to once again sponsor the 9^th annual BROOME BANDS TOGETHER summer concert series. The Broome Bands Together Summer Concert Series offers free, family-friendly concerts from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday nights (weather permitting) starting June 6^th to August 15th at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, NY.

The scheduled lineup is: June 6th – Beard of Bees; June 13th – Matthew Cornwell & L’Bonti; June 20th – The Yada Yadas; June 27th – Two Dollar Pistol; July 11th – Messy Truth; July 18th – The Gents; July 25th – Sydney Irving & The Mojo; August 1st – Wildcard; August 8th – Storm Front; August 15th – The Shambles.

Coughlin & Gerhart’s sponsorship donation will keep the concerts FREE to the public.

Great food and drink options will be available for purchase by: Beer Tree Brew Co., Downtown Danny’s, Here’s the Twist, and B’n’B Kettle Corn.

“We are excited for another great lineup this year and look forward to seeing the community come out to enjoy beautiful summer evenings at Otsiningo Park,” Rachel Abbott, Coughlin & Gerhart managing partner, said. “It is amazing to see how much this event has grown since we started sponsoring the concerts in 2015.”

 

Mark Gorgos Recognized for Service by NYS Third Department Attorney Grievance Committee

Congratulations to Mark Gorgos, partner at Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, who was recognized for his 6 years of distinguished service on the New York State Third Department Attorney Grievance Committee (“AGC”), at a ceremony last Friday in Albany. In addition to his Committee membership, Mark served as Chair of the 21 member Committee in 2022. Members of the AGC are appointed by the Justices of the Supreme Court of New York State, Appellate Division 3rd Department, which covers an area from Corning to Albany to Plattsburgh. The Committee meets monthly to review complaints filed against attorneys for alleged violations of ethical rules. Members of the Committee are highly regarded for their professional integrity and knowledge of the rules and laws that govern attorney conduct in New York.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Names New Managing Partner

 

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP has announced that the Firm’s Partners have elected Rachel A. Abbott as the Firm’s new Managing Partner.

Coughlin & Gerhart is a 55-attorney general practice law firm that is based in Binghamton and has offices in Bainbridge, Cortland, Ithaca, Owego, Hancock, Walton, New York and Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Abbott, who has been with the Firm since 2005, succeeds Mark S. Gorgos as Managing Partner. Ms. Abbott’s term will begin January 1, 2023. Mr. Gorgos has led Coughlin & Gerhart since 2005.

As Managing Partner, Ms. Abbott will oversee general firm management and be responsible for guiding the firm’s vision, strategy, growth, innovation, and culture.

“I am honored to assume the role of Managing Partner for C&G and I feel fortunate that Mark has steered this Firm in such a strong position during the past 17 years,” Ms. Abbott said. “Our Firm has only had two prior Managing Partners. I look forward to leading a client-centric and community focused team to deliver the highest level of legal services to our clients.”

Mr. Gorgos, who had advised his Partners months ago that he would not be seeking another three year term as Managing Partner, will remain active in the firm. He’ll continue his busy practice in the areas of business & banking, education law, and complex financial transactions.

“While I have enjoyed my years as Managing Partner, at some point you have to transition to new leadership. Rachel and I have been working on this process for a year and a half. I’m very proud of the growth of this Firm during my tenure, and I’m especially proud and grateful to each and every one of our partners and associates. We have more than tripled in size while demonstrating our strength and resiliency in surviving a fire, floods, and a pandemic. Rachel will do a great job in carrying on the time honored legal and client traditions of our Firm.”

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, has grown to be a multi-service law firm. The firm’s main office is located at 99 Corporate Drive, Binghamton.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Announces New Partners to Firm

 

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is pleased to announce that attorneys Nicholas Cortese and Keegan Coughlin became Partners in the firm, effective January 1, 2023.

Mr. Cortese began his legal career as an Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. From there, he was appointed as Senior Law Clerk to Third Department Justice Robert S. Rose. After his clerkships, Mr. Cortese entered private practice with a law firm in Syracuse, New York, before returning home to Binghamton in 2017 to join Coughlin & Gerhart.

Mr. Cortese primarily practices in the Firm’s Public Law group. His diverse practice includes the representation of municipalities, school districts, fire districts and emergency services providers on a wide range of legal issues. He also focuses on appellate, special proceedings and real property tax litigation, as well as administrative hearings and investigations.

Mr. Coughlin grew up in Johnson City, NY and joined Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP as an associate in 2016. His practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, trust & estate administration, and municipal & public law.

Mr. Coughlin is a member of the New York State Bar Association, as well as the Broome County Bar Association. He began his legal career as a law clerk with the Binghamton City Court while attending law school. He later served as a student judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. McAvoy, Senior U.S. District Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, 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 Lawyers® Best Law Firm and 20 of its attorneys have been recognized on either the Upstate New York Super Lawyers 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 Montrose, Pennsylvania, Ithaca, Bainbridge, Cortland, Owego, Hancock, and Walton, New York.

Kristen K. Luce, Esq. Elected to Executive Committee

 

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is pleased to announce that Kristen K. Luce was elected to the firm’s Executive Committee for a one year term, starting in January 2023. She joins current members, Rachel A. Abbott and Brady L. Begeal. “There are a lot of important responsibilities associated with being an elected member of the firm’s Executive Committee and I’m humbled that my fellow partners trust me with this duty,” says Luce.

Ms. Luce joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 2007 and is a partner with the firm. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of Estate Planning & Wills, Probate and Trust & Estate Administration, Real Estate Law, Elder Law & Guardianships, and Litigated Estate Matters.

Ms. Luce is a member of the Broome County and New York State Bar Associations. She is a member of the New York Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section. She previously served on the Board of Directors to the local American Automobile Association (AAA) Club, is a past Co-Chair of the Broome County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee, served on the Board of Directors for the Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network (April 2008 – February 2016), and is a former member of the Owego Rotary. In 2014 and again in 2018, Ms. Luce was appointed by the Town Board of the Town of Binghamton to an interim position of Acting Town Justice.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, 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, New York. It has convenient branch offices located in Bainbridge, Cortland, Hancock, Ithaca, Owego, and Walton, New York and Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Named a 2023 Best Law Firm

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America© have named Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP as a Metropolitan Tier 1 Best Law Firm for the Binghamton, New York region in the areas of Banking and Finance Law, Litigation-Labor & Employment, Litigation-Trust & Estates, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, Real Estate Law, and Trusts & Estates Law. The Firm has also received the Best Law Firms distinction as a Metropolitan Tier 2 Best Law Firm in the areas of Arbitration, and Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships).

Firms included in the 2023 “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©, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the United States. Thirteen C&G attorneys are included in this list for 2023. 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.

“Law firms serve a critical role in American life and ranking them is a key extension of our overall mission to help individuals make important life decisions,” says Morgan Felchner, Executive Editor at U.S. News.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, 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 convenient branch offices located in Bainbridge, Cortland, Hancock, Ithaca, Owego, and Walton, New York and Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Coughlin & Gerhart Attorneys Honored in Best Lawyers® List

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to announce that thirteen of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. The lawyers recognized are James P. O’Brien (Product Liability Litigation-Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants), Mary Louise Conrow (Litigation-Labor & Employment), Mark S. Gorgos (Banking & Finance Law, Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Education Law, and Municipal Law), Rachel A. Abbott (Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs), Paul J. Sweeney (Labor Law-Management), Robert R. Jones (Litigation–Trusts & Estates), Robert J. Madigan, Jr. (Real Estate Law), Keith O’Hara (Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants), Beth E. Westfall (Trusts & Estates), Kristen K. Luce (Trusts & Estates), Joseph J. Steflik, Jr. (Labor Law-Management and Employment Law-Management), Richard B. Long (Arbitration and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants), and Jeffrey A. Brown (Workers’ Compensation Law-Claimants). In addition, Nicholas Cortese was listed in the category of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the category of Municipal Law.

In addition, James P. O’Brien (Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants) and Mary Louise Conrow (Litigation-Labor & Employment) were further recognized as “Lawyer of the Year,” which is awarded to only one lawyer per region and practice area.

Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 50,000 leading attorneys cast nearly 5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

C&G Attorneys Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Best Lawyers® List

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to announce that two of its lawyers were recently recognized by their peers as “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” when among other C&G attorneys, they were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023.

James P. O’Brien (Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants) and Mary Louise Conrow (Litigation-Labor & Employment) were recognized as “LAWYER OF THE YEAR,” which is awarded to only one lawyer per region and practice area.

These honors follow the same award to C&G attorney Rachel A. Abbott (Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs), who was honored with the “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” award last year when she was selected by peers for inclusion in THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA© 2022.

Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 50,000 leading attorneys cast nearly 5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, 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 convenient branch offices located in Bainbridge, Cortland, Hancock, Ithaca, Owego, and Walton, New York and Montrose, Pennsylvania

Coughlin & Gerhart Proud to Sponsor FREE Summer Concert Series

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to once again sponsor the 8th annual BROOME BANDS TOGETHER summer concert series, scheduled for Tuesday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., June 7th to August 2nd at Otsiningo Park. Coughlin & Gerhart‘s sponsorship donation will keep the concerts FREE to the public.

The scheduled lineup is: *June 7th: Beard of Bees; *June 14th: Devon Lawton & The Inlaws; *June 21st: Sydney Irving & The Mojo; *June 28th: Junkyard Heights; *July 5th: Caviar & Grits; *July 12th: The Yada Yadas; *July 19th: The Shambles; *July 26th: Matthew Cornwell & L’Bonti; *August 2nd: Wreckless Marci; *August 2nd: Two Dollar Pistol.

Great food and drink options available by: Rent A Chief Catering Services of Binghamton, Beer Tree Brew Co., and Here’s the Twist.

“I certainly encourage everyone to come out on these beautiful summer evenings to Otsiningo Park,” Mark Gorgos, Coughlin & Gerhart managing partner, said. “It’s just a great event and I’ve been amazed at how attendance has increased since the first year back in 2015.”

C&G Attorneys Named To Upstate NY Super Lawyers Listing

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to announce that Rachel A. Abbott, Jeffrey A. Brown, Mark S. Gorgos, Robert R. Jones, Scot G. Miller, Keith A. O’Hara, Kurt D. Schrader, Joseph J. Steflik, Jr., Paul J. Sweeney, and Beth E. Westfall have been included in the 2022 Upstate Edition of New York Super Lawyers. Only 5% of attorneys practicing in the Upstate New York region meet the criteria to be named to this prestigious list.

Brady L. Begeal, Angelo D. Catalano, Keith A. Gorgos, Zachary D. Morahan, Nicholas S. Cortese, Keegan J. Coughlin, and Shannon E. Kane have been named as 2022 Upstate New York RISING STARS. No more than 2.5% of the attorneys in the state are named to the Rising Stars list.

New York Super Lawyers magazine publishes this list annually, and bases its evaluations on information gathered from a variety of sources, including peer recognition and professional achievement.

Ms. Abbott, Assistant Managing Partner for the firm and member of the firm’s Executive Committee, focuses her practice in the area of plaintiff’s litigation. Mr. Brown joined the firm in 1986 and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation law, social security disability and insurance defense. Mr. Gorgos, whose primary areas of practice include commercial transactions, education & municipal law, credit union law, and creditor rights, has been with Coughlin & Gerhart since 1980 and currently serves as Managing Partner. Mr. Jones joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 1990. He focuses his practice on estate litigation and insurance claims for individuals who have been seriously injured in accidents. Mr. Miller joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 2002. He focuses in the areas of workers’ compensation, social security law, and long term disability. Mr. O’Hara joined the firm in 1996 and is a partner in the firm. He is chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. His present practice is concentrated in personal injury litigation, insurance defense, and general litigation. Mr. Schrader joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 2019 and is of counsel with the firm, focusing his practice on family law, criminal law, and general civil litigation. Mr. Steflik joined Coughlin & Gerhart in 1999 and was a former chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of labor, employment, and construction law. Mr. Sweeney joined the firm in 1992, following active duty as a Marine Corps judge advocate. He concentrates his practice in labor & employment law and commercial litigation. Mrs. Westfall joined the firm in 1986 and is former co-chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, elder law, municipal law, land use & zoning, and real estate transactions.

Mr. Begeal, a partner with the firm and deputy-chair of its Business & Banking Practice Group, focuses his practice in the areas of business & banking law and municipal law. Mr. Catalano is a partner with the firm and focuses his practice in the areas of labor & employment law, litigation & trial, and public, municipal, & education law. Mr. Keith Gorgos, a partner with the firm, focuses his practice in the areas of business law, banking & credit union law, creditor rights, and litigation. Mr. Morahan is a partner with the firm and focuses his practice in the areas of energy & resource law and trusts & estates law. Mr. Cortese is a partner with the firm and focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, land use & zoning, labor & employment law, and litigation. Mr. Coughlin is a partner with the firm and focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, and municipal and public sector law. Ms. Kane is special counsel with the firm and focuses her practice in the areas of labor & employment law, and litigation & trial.

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, which was founded in the 1890s, 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 convenient branch offices located in Bainbridge, Cortland, Hancock, Ithaca, Owego, and Walton, New York, and Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Coughlin & Gerhart Attorneys Honored in Best Lawyers® List

Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP is proud to announce that twelve of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022. The lawyers recognized are Rachel A. Abbott (Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and “Lawyer of the Year”), Mark S. Gorgos (Educational Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Municipal Law, Banking & Finance Law, Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law, and Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)), Paul J. Sweeney (Labor Law-Management), Robert R. Jones (Litigation – Trusts & Estates), James P. O’Brien (Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants), Robert J. Madigan (Real Estate Law), Beth E. Westfall (Trusts & Estates), Kristen K. Luce (Trusts & Estates), Joseph J. Steflik, Jr. (Labor Law-Management and Employment Law-Management), Richard B. Long (Arbitration and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants), Mary Lou Conrow (Litigation-Labor & Employment), and Jeffrey A. Brown (Workers’ Compensation Law-Claimants).

Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 50,000 leading attorneys cast nearly 5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Coughlin & Gerhart Attorneys Honored for Service

On May 11, 2022, Cheryl Insinga, a partner with the Law Firm of Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP received the Stanley B. Reiter Award at the Broome County Bar Association’s Annual Law Day. This award is presented annually to one member in “recognition of his/her service to the Broome County Bar Association.”

Cheryl, whose primary area of practice is Public Law, has been with Coughlin & Gerhart since 2007. She’s been a member of the Broome County Bar Association since 1999 and was a Director from 2007-2010. Sindy Garey, from the Broome County Bar Association says “Cheryl has spent countless hours volunteering for various aspects of the BCBA for many years. In fact, from the day she first became a member and continuing through today – she has ceaselessly worked to provide service and benefits to the members of the BCBA. She is always willing to step in, roll up her sleeves and cheerfully get to work on numerous BCBA projects to benefit the Bar Association and her community. Her consistent dedication and volunteerism benefits not only the members of the BCBA and legal community, but also the local community.”

On the same date, Coughlin & Gerhart attorney Joseph J. Steflik, who concentrates his practice in the area of Labor and Employment, was honored for his longstanding service to the legal profession and as a member of the Association for over 50 years!

Coughlin & Gerhart is proud to have Cheryl and Joseph at the firm and very pleased that their years of service were graciously recognized by their fellow attorneys in the Bar Association.