Search for "District Attorney Erie County"

Since 1992, Tim George has pursued justice for accident victims and defended the freedom of people accused of DUI & other criminal offenses in Pennsylvania. Tim has an AV-Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell and a 10/10 rating with Avvo.com based upon peer endorsements and more than 100 client 5 star reviews. Tim has been named to the SuperLawyers List in Pennsylvania every year since 2016. Tim is a founder of Purchase, George & Murpher, P.C. He is a former Erie County assistant district attorney and trial counsel (prosecutor) in the U.S. Army. In 2009, Tim deployed...

William J. Hallett, Esq. is a litigator focusing his practice on matters involving civil litigation, including motor vehicle accident cases, dog bite cases, premises liability cases, labor law, and insurance matters. Mr. Hallett also has resolved numerous cases through alternative dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration. In addition to advocating for his clients, Mr. Hallett has presented a course on childhood sexual abuse to other attorneys through the Erie County Bar Association. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Buffalo School of Law and Monroe Community College on litigation topics. Mr. Hallett also has peer-edited a textbook...

Bar Admissions
• Pa Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2012 to Present
• United States District of Pennsylvania for the Western District of Pennsylvania 2012 to Present
• United States District Court District of Maryland 2015 to Present
o Greenbelt Division
o Baltimore Division
• Untied States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2015 to Present
• United States Tax Court 2017 to Present
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board
2012 to Present
• West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals 2011-2012

Bar Pro Hac Vice
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division


Litigation in Experience Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas

• Allegheny County
• Armstrong County
• Beaver County
• Bradford County
• Bedford...

Gabriella MacDonald, Esq. was born and raised in Monroe County. She is a graduate of the New York State University at Buffalo Law School, where she was presented with awards including a spot on the Public Service Honor Roll, and also the CALI award, which recognizes her outstanding achievements in trial advocacy.

While attending law school, Ms. MacDonald also spent time as a teaching assistant, she was a member of the UB Law Mock Trial Team, and she was a member of the Erie County Woman’s Bar Association. She also volunteered to coach mock trial students at a local...

Jamie R. Schumacher is an Associate in the Litigation Department at MacDonald Illig where she concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, insurance defense, and municipal/ordinance enforcement. She is also a member of the firm's Commercial/General Litigation Practice Group, Labor & Employment Practice Group, Government Services Practice Group, Marketing Committee, and the Recruitment Committee. Ms. Schumacher is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania state courts, the United States District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Schumacher is the former chair of the Young Lawyers Division...

Lisa M. Yaeger is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Criminal Defense and Litigation departments. With over 30 years of legal experience in the Western New York Court System, she is very familiar with effectively and efficiently representing her clients’ needs. In addition, Ms. Yaeger’s long tenure as an Assistant District Attorney in the Erie County DA’s Office will be an excellent resource for the complex trial litigation work she will continue to handle. Ms. Yaeger received her Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo after receiving her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at the...

For over 29 years, Mr. Jordan has dedicated his practice to defending individuals who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. He has represented clients charged with a felony in Cuyahoga County, Portage County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, Ashtabula County, Summit County, Erie County and other counties across the State of Ohio. Mr. Jordan also represents individuals accused of Federal Law violations such as: drug trafficking, conspiracy, tax evasion, theft, bank robbery and failure to report as a sex offender. He has practiced in the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio, United States District...

Mr. Joseph has practiced as a school solicitor for more than 35 years, providing a full range of education law services. In addition to serving as general solicitor for three area school districts, the local Intermediate Unit and numerous nonpublic school systems, he has experience in handling special education matters including mediation and litigation of special education and Section 504 due process hearings. He has also, over time, provided representation on behalf of every public school district in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties as special counsel for a variety of specific assignments.

Mr. Joseph has extensive experience in policy drafting, Family...

Since he started his law practice in 1997, Attorney Melaragno has worked with individuals who were injured, through no fault of their own, in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, tractor trailer accidents, slips and falls and a variety of other circumstances. Attorney Melaragno and his partners have tried or settled cases with a success rate of over 99%, recovering more than $3.2 Million for their injured clients in the last 4 years alone.


Attorney Melaragno was selected to serve on the Panel for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees for the Western District of Pennsylvania on February 6, 2004 and from that...

Joseph C. Crozier is an attorney in Tiveron Law’s Matrimonial and Family Law departments. Mr. Crozier received his Juris Doctorate from the State University at Buffalo School of Law and his undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport in Sports Management. During Law School, Joseph concentrated his studies on Matrimonial, Family, and Sports and Entertainment Law. Mr. Crozier’s experience as an intern for Erie County Family Court, Neighborhood Legal Services, and as a Law Clerk for the Erie County Attorney’s Office, as well as many years working with children in local school districts, has given him the ability to understand the complexities of Matrimonial...

John I. LaMancuso is a Partner and serves as the Chairman of Lewis & Lewis, P.C. John represents individual, business, and municipal clients in litigation and transactional matters in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Erie Counties. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, Super Lawyers named John a Rising Star. To be eligible for designation as a Rising Star, the attorney must be 40 years old or younger and in practice for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in New York State are designated Rising Stars. John has substantial personal injury experience representing individuals seriously injured in car accidents, work...

Russell S. Warner is the Managing Partner of the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is the founder and past Chairman of the firm's Environmental Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and environmental law, including matters involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as well as matters before the USEPA Environmental Appeals Board and the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.

Mr. Warner's practice includes representation of businesses, financial institutions, economic development organizations and municipal entities regarding business and environmental matters, as well as acquisitions, capital...

Attorney Stumpf develops estate plans for her clients and competently assists in the administration of estates of all sizes. She also provides expertise in the areas of trust administration, asset protection, elder law and guardianship issues. Attorney Stumpf's business law practice includes entity formation for both for-profit and non-profit organizations, structural questions, general counsel and the development of succession plans. Additionally, she assists in the representation of several school districts, an intermediate unit and multiple private schools.

Attorney Stumpf received her undergraduate degree from Grove City College in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from the Penn State - The Dickinson School...

Experience After nearly a decade of public service as an Assistant District Attorney in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Louis C. Mussari founded a small boutique firm focused Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Insurance Defense Litigation. Mr. Mussari is a consummate professional in the courtroom and his background as a prosecutor makes him a formidable opponent. Louis has successfully litigated jury trials to verdict in the following areas: Homicide, Rape, Gun Possession, Burglary, Strangulation, and Driving While Intoxicated. Education Following graduation from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2008 (B.A. Psychology Magna Cum Laude) Mr. Mussari attended Law School...

James VanDette has extensive experience handling a variety of litigation matters, including automobile accidents, construction accidents, premises liability, civil rights, and wrongful death matters. Education St. John's University School of Law J.D. - 2007 Honors: With Honors State University of New York at Buffalo B.A. - 2004 Honors: magna cum laude University of Leicester, England Fraternities or Sororities Pi Beta Kappa Pi Eta Sigma Professional Associations Bar Association of Erie County, Member New York State Bar Association New York State Defender’s Association New York State Trial Lawyers Association Former Chairperson - Admission to the Bar Committee, Bar Association of Erie County Bar Admissions New York U.S. District Court Western District of New York

John A. Lauer is a Senior Partner with the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP, where he is Chairman of the firm's Trusts & Estates Group. He is also a member of the firm's Business and Tax Groups. John's practice consists primarily of Estate and Tax Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Elder Law, and Business Law.

John received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Gannon University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1996. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to beginning...

PATRICK M. LIVINGSTON is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the United States District for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is a past chair of the of the Allegheny County Bar Association's Judiciary Committee, and is currently the CJA Panel Representative for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Erie County Bar Association's Roberts Scholarship Committee. He has been a sole...

Sandra K. Cassidy practices in HoganWillig’s Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Criminal Defense departments, she brings with her extensive experience as a former criminal prosecutor for the Erie County and Genesee County District Attorney’s office. Ms. Cassidy also served as legal counsel for the famous environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, investigating complaints of chronic cancers in two separate towns in New York, one of which involved the cross-border dumping of illegal toxins. Prior to joining HoganWillig, Ms. Cassidy also practiced law in the Western New York area for several years under her established law practice. Ms. Cassidy has a passion for guiding young...

Attorney Vilushis knows that a run-in with the law is often one of the worst days anyone could experience. That’s why he brings great understanding to his clients facing DUI or other criminal charges.

Vilushis cites his time as a law clerk with the Honorable Ernest J. DiSantis Jr. as a catalyst for his passion for law. He worked tirelessly as both an Assistant District Attorney and a First Deputy District Attorney, and is no stranger to the courtroom having personally tried over 60 jury trials.

Attorney Vilushis was honored as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers...

Attorney Jan Janin's practice involves the representation of debtors, secured creditors and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy. Particular emphasis is placed on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 debtors. His practice also involves extensive collection work on behalf of banks and credit unions. Michael's practice involves litigation in both state and federal courts of western Pennsylvania. Specifically, he is admitted to practice before all courts under the purview of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court...

Todd M. Schiffmacher concentrates his practice in the area of personal injury wherein he handles auto accident, motorcycle accident, premises liability and product liability cases. He also practices commercial and construction litigation, collections, landlord / tenant, real estate and wills / trusts. He graduated cum laude from St. John Fisher College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. He previously served as trial counsel for William K. Mattar, P.C. and was formerly associated with the law firms of Webster Szanyi, LLP and Feldman...

The goal of Alejandro Gutierrez, Esq., is to make permanent residents of United States. He limits his practice to United States Immigration Law including the related criminal matters. He practices before the Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Immigration Courts throughout the United States, including appeals before the Department of Homeland Security, the Board of Immigration Appeals, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Courts of Appeals. He is admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the...

Sara B. Sweeney, Esq. is an Associate in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Albany office, where she focuses her practice in civil litigation, real estate law, family and matrimonial Law and criminal defense.

Prior to joining Tully Rinckey, Sara was an Associate in an Albany law firm, where she practiced in the area of real estate law and handled both commercial and residential transactions. Sara also represented commercial mortgage lenders in complex transactions, including SBA loan closings, secured transactions, construction lending work and co-lending and intercreditor arrangements.

Sara previously worked as a Law Clerk for a commercial litigation law firm with offices in Los...

Jane E. Hughes is a skilled and experienced matrimonial and family law attorney with a proven track record of success in complex and emotionally sensitive cases. She is equally comfortable using a collaborative approach or an aggressive litigation-focused approach to solve her clients’ conflicts. Ms. Hughes is certified in Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law, which allows her to work with clients and other professionals to develop creative and mutually agreeable solutions. She has extensive experience in a wide range of matrimonial and family law matters, including divorce, custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence, neglect, relocation, multi-jurisdictional matters, guardianship, habeas corpus, and grandparent rights. Ms....

Attorney Martinucci's practice is concentrated on providing public and private sector employers with legal advice and representation in various employment and civil rights matters in both union and non-union settings. He represents clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Erie County Human Relations Commission against allegations of employment-related discrimination and harassment, and he has had favorable results. Attorney Martinucci has also successfully litigated wrongful discharge and employment discrimination cases before various state and federal courts in western Pennsylvania and conducts collective bargaining negotiations for public and private sector clients. His clients include private...

Douglas G. McCormick is a partner at McCormick & Vilushis, LLC.  He focuses his practice on personal injury, workers’ compensation, Social Security, and criminal defense.  Doug is a 2000 graduate of Bucknell University, where he graduated cum laude, and a 2004 graduate of the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

He has been admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 2004, where he began as an assistant district attorney at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office under Bradley H. Foulk.  While there, he was fortunate to argue several cases before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court involving constitutional issues.

Since 2008, he has helped injured...

Terry M. Sugrue is an accomplished attorney concentrating his practice in Labor and Employment Law as well as Recovering Debts for Nursing Homes and Healthcare Facilities. Mr. Sugrue has prosecuted hundreds of grievances at arbitration involving complex contractual and disciplinary issues, including termination. He is experienced before various administrative agencies including the Public Employment Relations Board, Workers Compensation Board, Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, and Division of Human Rights. He has counseled clients on various labor and employment matters, including matters arising under the Civil Service Law, Taylor Law, New York Human Rights...

With an impressive career roster, and a recognized leader in the local community, the other principal attorney at Voelkl Law is Jeffrey F. Voelkl, Esq., LL.M. His experience in New York State law is an asset to every one of the Voelkl Law clients. Voelkl is a member of the New York Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society, New York State Defenders Association, Admission to Bar Committee, Young Lawyers Committee, and Justice Court Committee. He was also elected as Village Justice for the Village of Williamsville (2003) and was appointed Acting Justice of...

Mr. Johnsen is an attorney at Tiveron Law primarily focusing in the firm’s Litigation Department. While attending SUNY Buffalo Law School, Mr. Johnsen was part of the University’s Consumer Financial Advocacy Clinic and was the recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for his work with the program. While in law school, he was a clerk at New Era Cap Co., Inc. Following law school, Mr. Johnsen has gained exposure to several areas of his litigation practice, including special education claims against school districts, employment discrimination claims, general business disputes and work in Erie County Surrogate's Court on...

Amanda Weber is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Corporate & Business Law, as well as Estate Planning & Elder Law Departments, with an emphasis on business formation, contracts, long-term care planning, and trusts. Ms. Weber obtained her Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island, and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Niagara University. Amanda has been admitted to practice law in New York, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. Before joining Tiveron Law, Ms. Weber worked for a local WNY firm focusing on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Veteran Disability Appeals. Amanda is...

Daniel J. Henry, Jr. a partner in the firm Villarini & Henry, L.L.P., is a former Erie County Assistant District Attorney who concentrates his practice in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury/Negligence claims. He has extensive experience defending the rights of people arrested and accused of criminal offenses both in State and Federal Court. He is one of a select group of attorneys who is eligible to handle Death Penalty cases. In addition, Mr. Henry represents clients facing Grand Jury investigations; witnesses called before State and Federal Grand Juries; clients charged under the Federal RICO Statute; clients charged with white-collar offenses;...

Attorney Kruszewski is a member of the firm's Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group. His practice involves the representation of corporate debtors, secured creditors and unsecured creditor committees in business reorganization proceedings. His practice also includes commercial loan work-outs, bankruptcy-related and commercial litigation, and general collection matters. He has also been approved as a mediator for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Kruszewski has been named as a Rising Star in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine in each year of publication from 2008-2016. He is also an active member of both the Erie County Bar...

As the former Judge of the 224th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, Judge Rene Diaz applies his 28+ years of civil litigation experience as well as his judicial experience and his training as a certified mediator/arbitrator to help guide cases to the best resolution possible. Judge Diaz has achieved a peer reviewed, AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He actively handles mediations and arbitrations of a wide variety of cases, including commercial litigation, personal injury, employment law, and family law, including divorce, child custody and child support cases....