Legal Services & Lawyers

Primary practice fields are municipal, land use, environmental, and real estate law, with service in both the public and private sectors.

I have been practicing law in Rochester, New York, and nearby towns for the past 13 years. I concentrate my practice in matrimonial and family law. I counsel my clients on divorce, separation, custody, relocation, child support, adoption, premarital and postmarital agreements.

More specifically, I assist my clients with such matters as:

* Adoption
* Alimony/Maintenance
* Annulments
* Child Abuse
* Child Custody
* Child Support
* Child Support Enforcement
* Dependency Proceedings
* Divorce
* Domestic Partnerships
* Domestic Violence Orders
* Family Court Proceedings
* Family Law
* Fertility and Surrogacy
* Foreign Adoption
* Foster Care
* Grandparent Custody & Visitation Rights
* Grandparent Rights
* Guardianship
* Name Change
* Parental Rights
* Paternity
* Postnuptial Agreements
* Prenuptial Agreements
* Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
* Relocation
* Restraining Orders
* Separation and Separation Agreements

I represent clients in Collaborative Family Law cases which involve resolving family disputes without going to court.

I have substantial litigation and trial experience in the Family and Supreme Courts, and have briefed and argued appeals in the Appellate Division.

I also represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy matters.

In addition, I represent clients in civil and commercial litigation, criminal and real estate matters.

Robbie is a caring and dedicated Long Island attorney. He strives to provide his clients with the finest legal service at a reasonable fee. He is currently focusing on Real Estate and Bankruptcy Law. He handles Real Estate closings and Bankruptcy filings throughout Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. You are welcome to browse his website, Rlvaughnlaw.com, to learn more about his Long Island Real Estate & Bankruptcy law practice. He looks forward to assisting you with your specific legal need(s). If you would like additional information, or a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call. Robbie is Of Counsel to Cassidy, Romano & Love, P.C.

Robbie is also a Real Estate Broker and Owner of Bayview Estates Realty of Long Island, NY. Serving Suffolk County, Nassau County, Queens and Brooklyn.

I began working at the Law Office of Stephen M. Cohen while finishing Law School at night. As a paralegal, I drafted motions and memoranda of law, and conducted extensive legal research, focusing on insurance, liability, medical and health care issues. After being admitted to the bar,I became an associate of the firm, representing seriously injured persons, health care facilities and doctors. As a Junior Partner, I oversaw the firm's paralegal and investigation team. Currently, as name partner, I continue to practice in the areas of Personal Injury, Insurance Law, Products Liability, Lead Paint Poisoning, and Public Entity Liability. I manage the workflow for six associate attorneys and the firm's entire support staff. I deal with Allstate, State Farm, and a large number of other major Insurance Carriers on a daily basis, with an emphasis on legal issues relating to accident liability, and the wrongful denial of medical payments to health care practitioners in no-fault cases. I continue to counsel health care practitioners and large and small health care facilities on issues varying from management service agreements to collections to liability. I also handle catastrophic personal injury cases.

In the spare time that I (don't) have, I volunteer as a Firefighter and Medic (AEMT-CC) for the Jericho Fire Department and Brentwood Legion Ambulance.

My Law Firm Partner and I have been working with Buffalo and WNY residents for almost three decades. So we're not surprised when clients tell us that we've helped a member of their family or neighbor in the past.

In more recent years, we've opened additional law offices to serve the areas residents.

We have offices in:

Buffalo NY
Rochester NY
Akron NY
Williamsville NY
Batavia NY
West Seneca NY
Niagara Falls NY

And our expertise is wide - just take a look at our practice areas and how we can help you.

BUFFALO AREA PERSONAL INJURY & ACCIDENTS

* Highway Accident:
* Industrial Accident:
* Jet Ski Accident:
* Lasik Eye Surgery Injury:
* Lead Paint Exposure:
* Medical Malpractice Accident:
* Medical Negligence:
* Motor Vehicle Defects:
* Motorcycle Accident:
* Nursing Home Abuse:
* Nursing Home Negligence:
* Pedestrian Accident:
* Products Liability:
* Rail Road Injury Accident:
* Railroad Accident:
* Semi Truck Accident Injuries:
* Slip and Fall:
* Spinal Cord Injury:
* Swimming Accidents and Injuries:
* Tobacco Use:
* Toxic Mold Exposure:
* Train Accident:
* Truck Accident:
* Vioxx:
* Wrongful Death:
* Asbestos Exposure Injury
* Auto Accident and Injuries
* Automobile Accident
* Bicycle - Bike Accident
* Birth Injury
* Boat Accident
* Brain Injury
* Burn Injury
* Car Accident
* Construction Accidents
* Dangerous Drugs - Drug Recall
* Defective Products
* Dog Bite injury
* Drunk Driving Accidents
* Farming Accident

BUFFALO AREA CORPORATE & BUSINESS MATTERS

* 144 Opinion Letters
* Acquisitions
* Americans with Disabilities Act
* Anti-Trust
* Asset Protection
* Business Financing
* Business Operations
* Business Regulations
* Buy/Sell Agreements
* Bylaws
* Closing a Business
* Confidentiality Agreements
* Contracts
* Copyright
* Corporations
* Deferred Compensation Plans
* Employment Agreements
* Estate Planning
* Family Partnersips
* Forms & Contracts
* Franchises
* Incorporation & Legal Structures
* Independent Contractor Agreements
* Intellectual Property
* Koint Ventures
* Labor and Employment Law
* Licensing Agreements
* Limited Liability Companies
* Limited Liability Partnerships
* Litigation
* Mergers
* Non-Profit Corporations
* Noncompete Agreements
* OSHA
* Patents
* SEC Filings
* Securities
* Severance Agreements
* Shareholder Agreeements
* Sole Proprietorships
* Starting a Business
* Stock Option Plans
* Succession Planning
* Trademarks
* Trusts
* Wage & Hour Laws

Buffalo New York Business and Corporate Real Estate Matters

* Adverse Possession
* Architect Agreements
* Assessments
* Construction Contracts
* Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCR's)
* Easements
* Environmental Compliance
* Foreign Nationals with US Real Estate Holdings
* Leases
* Ownership Considerations
* Taxes
* Zoning

Buffalo New York Business and Corporate Tax Matters

* Appeals
* Business Audit
* Business Entity Planning
* Business Succession Planning
* Business Tax Planning
* Employment Tax
* Failure to Withhold Employment Tax
* Individual Tax Planning
* Property Tax
* Sales Tax
* Tax Audits
* Tax Collection Counseling
* Tax-Deferred Exchanges
* Tax Issues Related to Business Formation
* Tax Levies
* Tax liens

BUFFALO AREA DWI AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE

* Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
* Boating While Intoxicated (DWI)
* Driving Under The Influence (DUI)
* Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
* Driving with a Suspended License (DWLS)
* Fleeing and Eluding
* Reckless Driving
* Juvenile/Minor Charges and Arrests - Please call due to the sensitive nature of this matter.
* Assault and Battery
* Criminal Mischief
* Disorderly Conduct
* Disorderly Intoxication
* Domestic Violence
* False Report of a Crime
* Indecent Exposure
* Loitering and Prowling
* Obstructing Justice
* Petty Theft
* Prostitution Offenses - Soliciting
* Resisting Without Violence
* Shoplifting
* Stalking
* Trespass
* Buffalo Area Felony Crimes
* Buffalo Area Federal Crimes
* White Collar Crimes - Please call due to the sensitive nature of this matter.
* Erasing Criminal History
* Expunging Your Record

BUFFALO AREA DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW

* Alimony
* Annulments
* Child Abuse
* Child Custody
* Child Support
* Child Support Enforcement
* Dependency Proceedings
* Divorce
* Domestic Adoption
* Domestic Partnerships
* Domestic Violence Orders
* Family Court Proceedings
* Family Law
* Fertility and Surrogacy
* Foreign Adoption
* Foster Care
* Grandparent Custody & Visitation Rights
* Grandparent Rights
* Guardianship
* Name Change
* Parental Rights
* Paternity
* Postnuptial Agreements
* Prenuptial Agreements
* Relocation
* Restraining Orders
* Separation

BUFFALO AREA ESTATE PLANNING, TRUSTS, PROBATE & WILLS

* Administering estates and trusts
* Advanced Directives
* Annuities
* Article 81 Guardianships
* Assisted Living
* Contested Accountings
* Contesting a Will
* Court Representation for Executors, Trustees, Creditors or Beneficiaries
* Elder Abuse
* Estate & Trust accountings
* Estate Administration & Settlement
* Estate Litigation - Contested Estates & Trusts
* Estate Tax Issues
* Estate Sales of Real Estate
* Estate Tax Returns and Audits
* Family Partnerships, LLCs and Business Succession Planning
* Government Benefits
* Guardianships for Disabled Children
* Health Care Proxies
* Intestacy (dying without a will)
* Invalidating trusts
* Kinship proceedings (Establishing Heirs)
* Life Estates
* Life Insurance Trusts
* Living Trusts
* Living Wills
* Long Term Care Insurance
* Medicaid Planning
* Medicare
* Nursing Home Care
* Power of Attorney
* Probating wills - simple to complex
* Representation of executors & trustees
* Representation of Out-of-State Beneficiaries
* Retirement Planning
* Reverse Mortgages
* Revocable Living Trusts
* Social Security Disability
* Special Needs Trusts
* Supplemental Needs Trusts
* Spousal inheritance disputes
* SSI
* Surrogate's Court Litigation
* VA Aid and Attendance
* Wills
* Wrongful Death Proceedings
* Legal Guidance for Administrators
* Legal Guidance for Executors
* Legal Guidance for Guardians
* Legal Guidance for Trustees
* Serve as Executor for your Estate
* Serve as Trustee for your Estate

BUFFALO RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MATTERS

* Adjustable Rate Mortgage Guidance
* Adverse Possession
* Appraisals and title insurance
* Architect Agreements
* Assessments
* Boundary disputes
* Breach of warranty under title insurance
* Brokerage commission disputes
* Buffalo & WNY Building inspections
* Closing Cost Advice
* Condemnation Help - has your property been condemned by Buffalo Area Authorities?
* Condominiums
* Construction Contracts
* Contract Reviews
* Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs)
* Dual Agency Issues
* Easement Reviews in the Buffalo and WNY area
* Easements
* Eminent Domain in New York
* Fannie Mae Lending
* FHA Lending
* Forclosure Short Sales in New York
* Foreclosure Assistance for Buffalo and WNY residents
* Foreign Nationals with US Real Estate Holdings
* Home Inspection Problems
* Home Title Insurance Requirements
* Homeowner's Insurance Advice
* Homeowners Association Legal Issues
* Land developments and closings
* Land use planning and rezoning
* Lease - Option to Buy Advice
* Legal advice for Buffalo and Western New York residents that engage in flipping Real Estate
* Liens on your Home or Property
* Like Kind Exchange
* Life Estate Deed
* Mortgage Broker Assistance
* Mortgage Fraud
* Mortgage Law
* New York 1031 Exchange
* New York RELP's - Real Estate Limited Partnership
* New York Tax Lien Help
* Buffalo NY Real Estate Leases
* Buffalo NY Real Estate Litigation
* Buffalo NY Reverse Mortgage Advice
* Oil and Gas Leases>/li>
* Options to Purchase
* Ownership Considerations
* Predatory Lending
* Probate
* Promissory Notes
* Property Law
* Property Surveying
* Quiet title and real estate matters
* Quit Claim Deeds
* Buffalo Real Estate Agent Malpractice
* Buffalo & WNY Real Estate Developments
* Buffalo Real Estate Land Trust
* Buffalo & WNY Real Estate Syndication
* Buffalo Area Real Estate Transactions
* Buffalo & WNY Real Property Investments
* Refinancing Issues
* Residential and commercial closings
* RESPA Violations
* Review of Settlement Statements
* Right of First Refusal
* Rights of Way
* Stop Foreclosure
* Subdivisions
* Taxes
* Taxpayer Relief Act Guidance
* Violations of the Fair Housing Act
* Working with lenders to ensure the timeliness and quality of their obligations
* Working with mortgage broker to ensure the timeliness and quality of their obligations
* NY Zoning and Permits

Published and accomplished litigator and negotiator experienced in appeals to New York State Appellate Courts, bankruptcy, commercial and residential real estate law. Attentive to client needs and inquiries. Obsessive about returning client phone calls and being available to clients. Designed and implemented manual outlining policies and procedures for Mitchell-Lama housing. Educator and lecturer in the areas of bankruptcy and real estate law. Designed and implemented training and development of new attorneys. Experienced and competent in business development.

Colin E. Kaufman is a partner in Adam Leitman Bailey, PC. He concentrates in trial work and litigation, primarily commercial, tort and real estate-related. Kaufman has been in practice for thirty years, all of it in litigation.

Kaufman received his undergraduate degree from Trinity College and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. He has instructed in trial preparation and trial advocacy for the New York State Bar AssociationNew York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Basic Prosecutors' Course, Bureau of Municipal Police Training School, Westchester County District Attorneyâs Office, New York State Special Prosecutor's Office and Lorman Educational Services. He has authored or coauthored three manuals for trial lawyers, Trial of a Negligence Case in New York, Taking and Defending Effective Depositions, and Real Evidence for the Trial Practitioner.

After graduating from Trinity College, Kaufman was a military policeman in the U.S. and in Vietnam. His combat decorations during his service with the 4th Infantry Division include two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.

After his return from Vietnam, Kaufman was a corruption investigator with the Office of the New York State Special Prosecutor. In addition to investigative work Kaufman ran the Special Prosecutorâs Intelligence Unit until leaving to become a prosecutor with the Westchester District Attorneyâs Office.

Kaufman spent nine years with the Westchester District Attorney, rising to Chief of the General Trial Bureau. During his tenure there, in addition to trials and training of trial lawyers, Kaufman participated in several thousand prosecutions.

Since leaving the District Attorneyâs Office, Kaufman has been engaged in the private practice of law. His litigation and trial work has covered a substantial breadth, ranging from products liability to mining disasters to international contracts. He was co-lead counsel in the first case tried to verdict in the United States under the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods. He has tried over two hundred cases to verdict in state and federal courts.

Mr. Kaufmanâs reported appellate cases include: Yang v. Chin, 42 A.D. 3d 320, 839 N.Y.S. 2d 90 (1st Dept. 2007); Garay v. National Grange Mutual Insurance Co., 117 Fed. Appx. 785 (2d Cir. 2004); Murphy v. Sawmill Construction Corp., 17 A.D.3d 422, 792 N.Y.S. 2d 616 (2d Dept. 2005); Poughkeepsie Chevrolet, Inc. v. Jeff Weaverâs 96 Hour Super Sale, Inc., 8 A.D. 3d 575, 779 N.Y.S. 2d 512 (2d Dept. 2004) Mulhern v. Chai Management, 309 A.D. 2d 995, 765 N.Y.S. 2d 694 (3d Dept. 2003); Marquise Collection, Inc. v. M.A.S. Textiles Corp., 239 A.D.2d 470, 657 N.Y.S.2d 207 (2d Dept.1997); and Cippolone v. City of White Plains, 181 A.D. 2d 887, 581 N.Y.S. 2d 421 (2d Dept. 1992).