Law Firm Rupp Pfalzgraf acquires Albany-based firm, Barone Law Office
The 24-year-old firm is expanding its footprint in the Capital Region as part of its ongoing growth strategy.
BUFFALO, NY, November 8, 2023 – Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, a full-service law firm headquartered
in Buffalo, is excited to announce a strategic move in its ongoing growth plan. As of November
1, 2023, Rupp Pfalzgraf acquired Barone Law Office, LLP (formerly known as Tooher & Barone,
LLP), a 12-year-old law firm based in Albany concentrating in environmental, land use, and
municipal law, as well as offering guidance on compliance, real estate, and commercial matters
for businesses. Their experience in these areas complements some of the growing core
practices of Rupp Pfalzgraf to allow the firm to better serve its clients across the state and
beyond. This acquisition is a pivotal step in Rupp Pfalzgraf’s strategic expansion.
The Barone firm joining Rupp Pfalzgraf will give the large WNY-based firm a larger presence in
the Capital District. Currently, the firm operates one Capital Region location in Saratoga
Springs, NY, under the leadership of Phillip Oswald. With the addition of the Albany office, Rupp
Pfalzgraf will now boast six locations throughout New York State. The Albany-based location will
continue to be managed by newly appointed Partner, John L. Barone, along with all current
attorneys and staff who remain a part of this Albany team. The firm is also proud to announce
that William F. Demarest III, Esq. has joined the Albany office as we make this transition.
Commenting on this milestone, David R. Pfalzgraf Jr., co-founder and managing partner of
Rupp Pfalzgraf, states, “we are very excited to welcome John and his fellow lawyers and
support staff to our growing Rupp Pfalzgraf team. This acquisition represents another
successful accomplishment of one of the pillars of our strategic plan, namely, to expand both
our geographic reach as well as our practice areas by adding attorneys like John Barone who
not only are ‘best in class’ lawyers and entrepreneurs, but also will be strong additions as
leaders and contributors to our second to none culture. By doubling the size of our capital
markets platform, we will be able to provide more diverse offerings to our growing client base.”
John L. Barone, managing partner of Barone Law Office, agrees with David Pfalzgraf’s
enthusiasm for the acquisition and states, “joining Rupp Pfalzgraf is an incredible opportunity for
our law firms. By bringing together these highly reputable firms and their diverse range of skills,
we are poised to raise the standard of success for our clients. Also, teaming up with Phil
Oswald and the group in Saratoga Springs is an exciting prospect for our two Capital Region
offices that have been occasionally collaborating over the past several years regarding
environmental legal issues. I look forward to continuing a tradition of providing exceptional legal
services to a client base across the State of New York.”
Clients of John Barone’s law office will experience a seamless transition, with the added benefit
of enhanced expertise and access to over 70 attorneys to meet their legal needs. John Barone,
David Pfalzgraf, and Anthony Rupp remain committed to serving their clients more than ever.
Effective November 1, 2023, Barone Law Office, LLP will operate under the Rupp Pfalzgraf
name, maintaining its current office location and phone number.