By Paul Tortora For those uncertain about their options when a marriage faces difficulties, a separation agreement can be a practical and often less adversarial alternative to immediate divorce. In this blog post, we’ll break down what separation agreements are, why they might be right for you, and key considerations under New York law. Whether… Read More

Many people think that having a will means their estate plan is complete. In reality, a will is essential, but it’s just one aspect of estate planning. A comprehensive estate plan includes tools like trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives to protect your assets, ensure your medical and financial wishes are followed, and make… Read More

By Keli Iles-Hernandez For many people, the journey to having a child doesn’t follow a traditional path. When pregnancy is not an option due to medical reasons or other circumstances, surrogacy opens the door to parenthood for individuals and couples who are ready to build or grow their family. For some, surrogacy may be the… Read More

By Rachel Wright For bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues across Buffalo and Western New York, legal compliance has become more complex and more critical than ever before in 2025. From state-wide employment regulations to local enforcement trends and cultural shifts, Buffalo’s hospitality scene is transforming. Here’s a practical breakdown of what operators in Buffalo should… Read More

As generative artificial intelligence becomes a larger part of the creative process for many, questions about ownership and authorship are growing more complex. When AI generates content, who holds the rights? And when humans contribute to the process, how much creative control is needed to qualify for copyright protection? As courts and policymakers examine these… Read More

On October 29, Rupp Pfalzgraf Partners Jamie Batt and Dan Sarzynski will participate in “Buying and Selling a Construction Business: Valuation for Selling and Estate Planning,” a panel discussion presented by the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY. This event is the third installment in the Construction Exchange’s seminar series on succession planning. Jamie, leader… Read More

When professionals are not paid for their labor or materials provided on a public construction project, filing a lien can be an effective way to pursue the payment they are owed.  A public project is any improvement of real property belonging to the state or a public corporation. Because public property cannot have a lien… Read More

We are excited to share that 25 Rupp Pfalzgraf attorneys have earned places on the 2025 Upstate New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists! This honor reflects their commitment, skill, and dedication to excellence, as only 5% of attorneys are named to the Super Lawyers list, and just 2.5% of attorneys are named to the Rising Stars list.… Read More

By Paul Tortora When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important financial questions is how to handle child support. In New York State, child support is calculated using a legal formula outlined in the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). This formula is designed to make sure support is fair and consistent, based on… Read More

By Rachel Wright On June 7, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed Senate Bill S7909 / Assembly Bill A8547, marking a pivotal shift in New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws. If signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, this bill will amend Section 63(5) of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to permit a person or entity… Read More

In New York and other locations, individuals planning their estate must make important decisions about how they want their assets and finances managed if they die or become incapacitated. An essential component of preparing for financial transition involves an emergency financial file that walks a spouse or an executor through how to prevent financial chaos… Read More

Paul Jager is an associate attorney in our civil rights group. Why did Paul choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? A few years ago, Paul worked his way through our summer associate program, which was his first job in the profession. He really enjoyed it, and he found that the people here are fun to… Read More

By Paul Tortora, Jr. A new school year often brings excitement and fresh routines for children, but it can also create challenges for parents navigating custody and co-parenting arrangements. Between coordinating schedules, managing transportation, and keeping up with school events, there’s a lot to balance. Add in extracurricular activities, expenses, and unexpected days off, and… Read More

Season 2, Episode 5 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this latest episode, managing partner and host David Pfalzgraf sits down with Colleen Heidinger, President of 43North, and Pete Grum, Chair of the Board of Directors at 43North and Venture Partner at Advantage Capital. 43North has played a key role… Read More

By: Paul Tortora Divorce can be emotionally and financially draining, but not every case has to end up in court. Mediation offers a more flexible and often less stressful way to reach a resolution. While it isn’t the right approach for everyone, mediation can be a helpful option for couples who are willing and able… Read More

We’re proud to announce that 24 Rupp Pfalzgraf attorneys were recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America! Recognition by Best Lawyers® is especially notable because it is based entirely on peer review. The thorough and respected selection process relies on peer evaluations where attorneys vote… Read More

We’re proud to announce that Rupp Pfalzgraf has officially opened a permanent office in Syracuse, located in the historic State Tower Building at 109 South Warren Street! This new location formally marks our presence in Central New York, building on our continued growth as we’ve expanded across multiple locations throughout the state in the past… Read More

When contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, or other professionals aren’t paid for their work or materials on a private construction project, filing a lien can be an effective way to pursue the payment they are owed. A construction lien creates a legal claim against the improved property, and while it doesn’t result in automatic payment, it can… Read More

Season 2, Episode 4 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this episode, host and Managing Partner David Pfalzgraf sits down with Buffalo-based multimedia storyteller and lifelong friend, Peter McGennis, to discuss his journey of creative entrepreneurship. Pete takes listeners through the many chapters of his life and career, reflecting on… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf partner and Labor & Employment group leader Matt Miller recently wrote for The Buffalo News about the growing use of AI tools in hiring and promotion. While these tools can greatly improve efficiency and streamline HR processes, Matt outlines important legal and ethical risks employers must consider to ensure AI is used fairly,… Read More

Parents who have a child with a disability may be concerned about how to provide for them in their estate. There are several strategies when it comes to estate planning for disabled children that can help ensure your child will be supported in the future. Their needs It is important to assess your disabled child’s capabilities… Read More

Season 2, Episode 3 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this episode, host David Pfalzgraf sits down with Brian Higgins, former U.S. Congressman and the current CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Born and raised in South Buffalo, Brian shares how his early roots shaped a career focused on revitalizing… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf is honored to be recognized as a top-performing law firm in SurePoint’s inaugural Law Firm Index Mid-Sized 200, an innovative real-time ranking system developed by Leopard Solutions, SurePoint® Technologies’ premier provider of legal business intelligence and analytics. The Leopard Law Firm Index is one of the most objective assessments of law firm performance… Read More