East Aurora, NY

Ryan G. Smith

Ryan is a labor and employment attorney with specialized experience in Education Law and civil litigation. He concentrates his practice on representing school districts, municipalities and private employers. Ryan routinely assists his clients with issues concerning employee discipline, leaves of absence, collective bargaining/grievances, Civil Service Law, constitutional rights, statutory compliance and internal investigations, to name a few. He provides counsel to his school district clients on additional issues such as student residency and homelessness, FOIL, Open Meetings Law, student discipline, policy review, religious exemption requests and Commissioner appeals. Ryan has extensive experience representing his clients in several forums, including state and federal courts. His litigation experience includes defending against claims that range from simple negligence to complex claims of discrimination and civil rights violations. He also provides legal representation before administrative agencies such as the NYSDHR, EEOC, PERB and Education Departments (state and federal), as well as in employee disciplinary hearings and arbitration.

Robert H. Gurbacki

Rob is a lifelong resident of western New York and resides in East Aurora with his wife, Jennifer. Rob grew up on Amherst, New York. His children went to Williamsville and East Aurora schools. Currently his children are grown and some are married with kids. His children attended SUNY Geneseo, Cornel Vet School, Villanova Law School and University of Pittsburgh. They now have careers of their own in biochemistry and sustainability, veterinarian, foreign service officer and an engineer. Rob is now a proud grandfather of three grandchildren with another on the way. Due to great popular demand, Rob has become involved in nursing home planning. Many people don’t realize that health insurance and even Medicare don’t pay for long term care. People are concerned that they won’t be able to pass an inheritance to their spouse, children or other family members should they enter the nursing home. Many don’t realize that it is often impossible for them to be cared for at home. Rob can explain all of the rules involved in gifting assets, assets that are exempt and assets that are not. He can develop a plan going forward for you or your loved one to protect assets while at the same time qualify for the best possible health care. Your estate plan is interrelated to your nursing home plan. Rob can explain the use of gifting and trusts. He can produce your Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney and Living Will and Health Care Proxy that can best suit your needs. Unfortunately, not all attorneys are familiar with nursing home planning and its relation to your estate plan. Rob can integrate these objectives to develop and plan for the future. The firm has produced literally thousands of Wills over the years (almost 10,000). As a free service the firm will maintain for you, your original Will Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy so that it won’t be lost, stolen or destroyed by fire. As a result of our estate planning activities, the firm has handled thousands of estates. Most estates are in Erie County, but many have been in the counties of Wyoming, Allegheny, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara, Genesee and others. Upon the death of a loved one we extend our deepest condolences and offer our help in the probate process. Rob can also represent you should you be charged with a crime. He has experience handling hundreds of driving while intoxicated cases. He has appeared in almost every Town and Village court in Erie County and surrounding counties. He has also tried cases in Supreme and County Courts. If you have a real estate transfer or closing or a business formation need, Rob also handles these matters.

Mark E. Guglielmi

Mark focuses his practice in civil litigation and business law while having represented clients in a variety of fields throughout his career. Mark has assisted both Plaintiffs and Defendants in personal injury matters as well as contract disputes and construction litigation. Mark is also experienced in real estate law, estate planning and bankruptcy law in order to fully serve his clients. Mark tailors his representation to the needs of his client, whether they are an individual or a large company. He has achieved successful results in State Courts, Federal Courts, Arbitrations, and Administrative hearings.

Marnie E. Smith

Marnie focuses her practice on representing school districts in all areas of Education Law including matters involving employees, students, boards of education, parents and community members. She investigates employee misconduct, discrimination and harassment claims. She handles appeals to the Commissioner of Education, Section 3020-a Hearings, Section 75 Hearings and arbitration proceedings. Marnie also provides advice and counsel regarding student discipline, student residency, the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and Open Meetings Law (OML), and other state and federal legal requirements applicable to school districts. Marnie also works with employers in the private sector regarding labor and employment matters such as discrimination and harassment complaints and investigations, employee discipline issues, and wage and hour matters. Marnie represents clients in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR), as well as matters in state and federal courts.

Melanie Beardsley

Melanie concentrates her practice in Education and Labor and Employment law working primarily with public school districts in various areas including special education, student discipline, labor relations, personnel, and board of education matters. She has represented districts in employee discipline proceedings (Section 3020-a, Section 75, arbitrations), collective bargaining negotiations, and appeals before the Commissioner of Education. Melanie has also provided counsel for Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and represented districts in special education litigation including impartial hearings and appeals to the Office of State Review. She has also advised boards of education of their duties and powers, the development of district policies. Melanie also represents other municipal entities and private companies in employment law, labor relations, collective bargaining negotiations, as well as representation in actions and proceedings before administrative agencies and courts.