Raymond L. Ruff

Partner Rochester, New York City
Raymond Ruff

Ray represents small community banks, regional financial institutions and global commercial lending institutions in both new commercial lending transactions as well as in pre-workout/enforcement restructures of existing commercial loans.

Ray serves as the primary closing attorney for several national Small Business Administration (SBA)- guaranteed lenders. He leads a team of attorneys and staff that close the SBA-guaranteed loans nationally.

Ray has represented banks in commercial lending transactions, including construction loans, secured by diverse collateral, including, but not limited to hotels, commercial industrial and investment real estate, residential subdivisions, co-op apartments, commercial condominiums, fishery/hatchery, ships including small cruise ships and charters, planes, intellectual property including patent, trademark and copyrights, and tax-exempt structures. Many of the larger transactions include participants and other funding sources that require intricate participation agreements, intercreditor agreements and subordination agreements.

Ray is a leader at Phillips Lytle, serving on the firm’s Governing Committee for three terms of three years each, and as leader of Phillips Lytle’s Banking and Finance Practice Group for five years.

In addition to his passion for representing his clients and leading Phillips Lytle, Ray has contributed his time and energy to many community organizations, including youth and high school sports in Honeoye Falls.

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Honors & Awards

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2009-2024
  • Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award, 2000
  • Academic All-American Basketball Player, 1987
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., 1990
  • Hartwick College, B.A., cum laude, 1987
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
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Speaking Engagements

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  • Moderator, “Western New York Banking Industry Outlook: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,”Buffalo Business First State of the Region Breakfast, June 2018
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Activities & Professional Associations

Present Activities

  • Honeoye Falls Sports Booster Club, President
  • Honeoye Falls Youth Lacrosse, Board of Directors
  • Honeoye Falls Youth Basketball, Board of Directors
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NE Board of Directors
  • Phillips Lytle Firm Governing Committee, 2023-2025

Past Activities

  • Meals on Wheels, Volunteer
  • Phillips Lytle Banking & Financial Services Group, Chair, 2011-2015
  • Phillips Lytle Firm Governing Committee, 2007-2015
  • Small Business Council of Rochester, Board of Directors
  • Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc., Board of Directors

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Business Law Section
    • Forum on Construction Law
  • Monroe County Bar Association
  • National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders
  • New York State Bar Association
    • Business Law Section
    • Real Property Law Section