Buffalo, N.Y. – Phillips Lytle LLP attorneys Joanna J. Chen, Patrick T. Fitzgerald, F. Kenneth Graham, Kenneth A. Grossberg, and Kimberly R. Nason have been elected to become partners in the firm as of January 1, 2020. All five attorneys are based in the firm’s Buffalo office.
“We are very pleased to welcome Joanna, Pat, Ken, Kenny, and Kim into the partnership at Phillips Lytle,” said Phillips Lytle Managing Partner Kevin M. Hogan. “These attorneys have become trusted advisors, and consistently provide client service excellence to our clients. We look forward to this group becoming leaders in our practice teams, and in our community, for years to come.”
Ms. Chen is a member of the Litigation Practice Group and concentrates her practice in the areas of class action and complex commercial disputes, including theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, and business torts. Additionally, Ms. Chen has experience in counseling private and public entities on employment matters, as well as defending federal and state employment lawsuits involving FLSA, Titles II and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADA, and the New York Human Rights Law. She has experience in federal and state motion practice, appellate practice, depositions, and e-discovery.
Mr. Fitzgerald, a member of the Land, Environment and Energy Practice Group, focuses his practice on real estate and environmental law. He assists clients with all real estate matters necessary to successfully complete challenging real estate transactions and development projects, including sales and acquisitions, financing, leasing, and land use and zoning matters (site plan approvals, special permits, variances, subdivision plans, and rezonings). Mr. Fitzgerald’s broad real estate background allows him to guide his clients through all stages of a real estate transaction or development project.
In addition, Mr. Fitzgerald counsels clients on challenging brownfield development projects, environmental and regulatory compliance and permitting at both the state and federal levels, due diligence matters related to real estate and commercial transactions (including mergers and acquisitions), and investigative and enforcement proceedings brought by state and federal agencies. He has experience with all major federal and state environmental laws.
Mr. Graham is a member of the Corporate Practice Group and focuses his practice in corporate law, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, international and domestic business transactions, divestitures, reorganizations, securities law compliance, and corporate governance issues. He also advises and provides counsel to not-for-profit and health care clients on compliance, corporate governance, and transactional issues. As a member of the Data Security & Privacy Practice Team, Mr. Graham has experience with record management and retention issues, cybersecurity policy drafting, and compliance with DFS regulations.
Mr. Grossberg, a member of the Family Wealth Planning Practice Group, concentrates his practice in the area of estate planning, advising clients on estate tax matters, wills, trusts, guardianships, health care proxies, living wills, and powers of attorney. He also advises clients on all aspects of estate and trust administration, having represented fiduciaries and beneficiaries in such matters. Mr. Grossberg has extensive knowledge of the complex tax implications involved in estate matters and business transactions, and has experience representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service on a variety of international tax matters. Mr. Grossberg is admitted to practice in Florida as well as New York, and regularly advises clients on Florida estate planning matters.
Ms. Nason is a member of the Land, Environment and Energy Practice Group and focuses her practice on land use and zoning, environmental law and energy matters. She appears before municipalities across the State on behalf of business owners and developers regarding applications for zoning permits and approvals, including special use permits, site plan approvals, variance requests, subdivisions and rezonings. Her land use and development practice includes extensive knowledge regarding compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act. As a member of the firm’s Energy Practice Team, her expertise includes matters relating to the development and permitting of solar energy facilities. Additionally, Ms. Nason has experience in the area of telecommunications relating to the development, modification, and operation of cell towers and other communications facilities. Ms. Nason also has experience appearing before the New York State Department of State Regional Board of Review on applications for variances from the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
In addition, Ms. Nason counsels clients on compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations, and has been involved with environmental due diligence and transactional support. She handles complex Clean Air Act compliance and permitting matters with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Phillips Lytle LLP is a preeminent law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence. With offices across New York State and in Chicago, IL; Washington, D.C.; and Canada, our attorneys serve a multinational client base, including Fortune 1000 companies, global and regional financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, middle-market companies, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. For more information, visit phillipslytle.com.
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