Accepts Credit Cards

(Main Office)

Costello Cooney & Fearon is one of the oldest and most respected law firms in Central and Upstate New York. Although the roots of the firm are steeped in tradition, our approach to the practice of law is progressive and creative. More than 25 attorneys and a staff of paralegals and administrative personnel serve a broad spectrum of clients ranging from individuals to major corporations.

Partners and associates are committed to the community. Many serve, or have served, on civic, charitable and municipal boards. Our modern management techniques encourage all lawyers to contribute to the operation of the firm, to take part in firm decisions, and gain experience in many diversified areas.

The firm seeks full and frank participation from clients. We pride ourselves on our accessibility to you and our frequent, effective communication with you. You are advised of both the strengths and the weaknesses of your case. We develop reasonable and affordable trial strategy at the outset of your case, which often leads to timely motions to dismiss and encourages advantageous settlements.

Statement of Practice

General Civil Practice before all Courts. Corporate, Tax, Probate, Trust and Estate, Trademark and Copyright, Real Estate, Hospital and Health Care Law, Labor and Employment Law, Tort and Insurance Law. Municipal and Environmental Law, Commercial, Bankruptcy, Pension and Profit Sharing and ERISA. Trials and Appellate Practice.

Clients

GENERAL COUNSEL FOR: Auburn Memorial Hospital
Franciscan Health Support, Inc.
Cortland Memorial Hospital
Crouse Hospital
Community Memorial Hospital
St. Josephs Hospital Health Center
Health Services Association of Central New York, Inc.
Health Services Medical Corp., Inc.
Town of Onondaga
University Hill Corp.
Village of Tully
Village of Minoa
Cordelle Development Corp.
Clark Hill Development Corp.
Milestone Homes, Inc.
Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order
Rome Memorial Hospital
Tully Central School District
Iroquois Nursing Home
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Syracuse Community Health Center
Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, P.C.

LOCAL COUNSEL FOR: Agway Inc.
Agway Energy Products
John Deere Co., Inc.
New York Telephone Co.
NYNEX
Prudential Bache Securities
Commercial Union Insurance Cos.
General Motors Corp.
Exxon Corp.
Tenneco, Inc.
General Motors Acceptance Corp.
Otis Elevator Co.
Crum & Forster Insurance Co.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Lawyers Title Insurance Corp.
Esis, Inc.
Bradco Supply Corp.
American District Telegraph (ADT)
The Travelers Insurance Co.
Pyramid Brokerage Co., Inc.
Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa)
Farm Family Mutual Casualty Co.
CNA Insurance
Agway Insurance Co.
Telsmith, Inc.
CNA Pro
Sentry Insurance Co.
Selective Insurance Co.
Employer's Reinsurance Co.
Westport Insurance
Chicago Insurance Co.
Interstate Insurance Co.
Kemper Insurance Co.
Rskco
Zurich North America Insurance Co.
E & O Professionals Insurance Co.
Lancer Claims Service
One Beacon Insurance Companies
Farmers' Insurance Co.
Utica National Insurance Group
Utica Mutual Insurance Co.
Ward North American.

Rate Information

Fixed Hourly Rates
Fixed Fees Available
Accepts Major Credit Cards

• Visa
• MasterCard

Address

Salina Place
205 South Salina Street
Syracuse, NY 13202, (Onondaga Co.)

Phone

Phone: 315-422-1152
Fax: 315-422-1139

Website

http://www.ccf-law.com

Office Hours

Monday: 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
Thursday: 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
Friday: 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM

Firm/Affiliate Offices

MEMBERS OF FIRM

David F. Costello (1872-1934).

Charles E. Cooney (1873-1958).

George R. Fearon (1883-1976).

Warren W. Bader (Member) born Brooklyn, New York, August 21, 1945; admitted to bar, 1971, New York. Education: Niagara University (B.B.A., 1967); State University of New York at Buffalo (J.D., 1970). Public Administrator, Onondaga County, 1999—. Town Justice, 1990-2005 and Counsel, 2005—, Town of Constantia. Member: Onondaga County, Oswego County, New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Estate Planning; Elder Law; Corporate Law; Real Estate.Email: Warren W. Bader

Robert D. Essig (Member) born New York, N.Y., March 31, 1945; admitted to bar, 1976, New York. Education: Herbert H. Lehman College (A.B., 1972); Fordham University (J.D., 1975). Law Secretary, Hon. Paul J. Yesawich, Jr., Supreme Court, Cortland County, Cortland, New York, 1975-1977. Legal Counsel, Village of Minoa, 1983-2002. Member, Board of Directors: Syracuse YMCA Senior Citizens Housing Development Fund Corporation, 1982-1993; West African Eye Foundation, 1999—; HOME, Inc., 1998—. Member: Onondaga County, New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Municipal Law; Religious Institutions; Banking Law.Email: Robert D. Essig

Kevin M. Gilligan (Member) born Glens Falls, New York, March 12, 1950; admitted to bar, 1980, New York; U.S. District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Hobart College (B.A., 1972, Pi Gamma Mu); Syracuse University (J.D., magna cum laude, 1979). Order of the Coif. Member, Justinian Society. Recipient, Paul Shipman Andrews Memorial Award for Leadership. Chairman, Air Force Academy Selection Committee, 25th Congressional District, New York, 1988—. Member, New York State Federal Judicial Screening Committee. Legal Counsel for Village of Tully, 1990—, Village of Solvay, 1997—, Town of Lafayette, 1998—, Town of Geddes, 1999—, Town of Onondaga, 1985—, Town of Schroeppel Planning Board, 1990— and Onondaga County Legislature, 1994—. Member, Board of Directors, Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Central New York. Member: Citizens Foundation, 1985-1992; Onondaga County Legislature, 1992-1993. Member: Onondaga County (Chairman, Municipal Law Section, 1987—), New York State and American Bar Associations; New York State and Onondaga County Planning Federation. Practice Areas: Municipal Law; Environmental Law; Zoning Law; Real Estate Development.Email: Kevin M. Gilligan

Robert J. Smith (Member) born Hemet, California, August 8, 1957; admitted to bar, 1983, Texas; 1984, New York. Education: State University of New York at Brockport (B.A., cum laude, 1979); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1982). Phi Delta Phi. Order of the Barristers. Member: Onondaga County, New York State Fifth Judicial District (Member, Pro Bono Committee, 2005), New York State and American (Member, Civil Procedure and Evidence Committees) Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Assistant Professor, South Texas College of Law, 1982-1983. President, Board of Directors, Cooperative Extension Association of Onondaga County, 1985-1990 American College of Trial Lawyers; American Board of Trial Advocates; International Association of Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Insurance Litigation; Construction Law; Commercial Litigation.Email: Robert J. Smith

Michael A. Tremont (Member) born Syracuse, New York, March 27, 1952; admitted to bar, 1979, New York. Education: Le Moyne College (B.S., with honors, 1974); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1978). Instructor, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University, 1985-1993. Adjunct Professor, LeMoyne College, 1986-1989. Member, Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Syracuse and Onondaga County Chapters, 1996-2002. Member, 1999— and Vice President, 2002—, School Board, Westhill Central School District. Member: Onondaga County and New York State (Member, Labor and Employment Section) and American (Member, Labor and Employment Law Section) Bar Associations; Industrial Relations Research Association (Member, National and Central New York Chapters). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Michael A. Tremont

Alicia S. Calagiovanni (Member) born Fulton, New York, January 17, 1954; admitted to bar, 1978, New York. Education: Syracuse University (A.B., 1974; J.D., cum laude, 1977; M.S., in Accounting, 1985). Confidential Law Clerk to Hon. Richard N. Donovan, New York State Supreme Court Justice, 1977-1979. Estate Tax Attorney, Internal Revenue Service, 1979-1982. President, Estate Planning Council of Central New York, 1992-1993. Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Estate Planning; Medicaid Planning; Trust Law; Real Estate; Estate and Gift Taxation; Fiduciary Income Tax; Estate Administration; Trust Administration.Email: Alicia S. Calagiovanni

James J. Gascon (Member) born Rochester, New York, November 3, 1960; admitted to bar, 1987, New York. Education: State University of New York at Cortland (B.A., magna cum laude, 1983); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1986). Member, Board of Directors, Eastwood Rotary Club, 1993-1994. Member: Onondaga County, New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Fire Loss; Property Damage; Franchise Licensing; Insurance Defense; Insurance Coverage; Insurance Litigation; Products Liability; Personal Injury; Corporate Law.Email: James J. Gascon

Paul G. Ferrara (Member) born Ballston Spa, New York, October 27, 1961; admitted to bar, 1987, Massachusetts; 1988, New York. Education: Northeastern University (B.S., cum laude, 1984); Syracuse University (J.D., 1987). Pi Sigma Alpha; Phi Alpha Delta. Member: Massachusetts, New York State and American (Member, Standing Committee on Legal Malpractice) Bar Associations; Defense Research Institute (Member, Committee on Legal Malpractice and Ethics). Practice Areas: Professional Liability; Insurance Defense; ERISA Litigation; Errors and Omissions; Products Liability.Email: Paul G. Ferrara

Maureen G. Fatcheric (Member) born Syracuse, New York, August 28, 1963; admitted to bar, 1989, New York. Education: State University of New York at Albany (B.A., cum laude, 1985); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1988). Member, Board of Directors, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Onondaga County, 1990-1994. Member: Onondaga County, New York State (Member, Trial Lawyers Section) and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; General Liability Defense; Premises Liability; Personal Injury; Employment Litigation.Email: Maureen G. Fatcheric

Timothy J. Conan (Member) born Syracuse, New York, April 8, 1958; admitted to bar, 1987, New York and U.S. District Court, Western District of New York; 1988, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: Syracuse University (B.A., 1981; J.D., cum laude, 1986); New York University School of Law (LL.M. in Taxation, 1989). Author: "Typical Healthcare Transactions and Recent Guidance from the OIG on Contractual Joint Ventures, Rehabilitation Management Agreement and Compliance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers," Vol. 1, Number 20 Health Lawyers Weekly (August 2003); "Serving on a Healthcare Organization's Board After ENRON and Corporate Fraud Scandals of 2001-2002," Exempt Organization Tax Review, August 2002; "Why the International Law Defense is no Defense for Nuclear War Protestors," Vol. 12, Number 3 Syracuse Journal of International Law (1986). Member: New York State (Member, Taxation Section) and American (Member, Taxation Section) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Health Care; Corporate Law; Nonprofit Organizations Law; Employee Benefits.Email: Timothy J. Conan

John R. Langey (Member) born Witherbee, New York, January 11, 1965; admitted to bar, 1991, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: State University of New York at Potsdam (B.A., cum laude, 1987); State University of New York at Buffalo (J.D., magna cum laude, 1990). Phi Alpha Theta. Member: New York State Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Environmental Law; Municipal Law); New York State Planning Federation. Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Municipal Law; Zoning Law; Business Law; Labor and Employment; Corporate Law.Email: John R. Langey

Daniel Fletcher (Member) born Syracuse, New York, 1960; admitted to bar, 1989, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York. Education: LeMoyne College (B.S., cum laude, 1982); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., cum laude, 1988). Member, Justinian Society. Member: Onondaga County and New York State (Member, Trial Lawyers Section) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Trial Practice; Litigation.Email: Daniel Fletcher

Robert W. Connolly (Member) born Albany, New York, October 13, 1966; admitted to bar, 1993, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; 1995, Massachusetts. Education: Boston University (B.A., 1988); Albany Law School of Union College (J.D., 1992). Author: "New York's Right to Counsel: Overturning the Derivative Rule," Albany Law Review, Vol. 56, November, 1992. Member: Onondaga County, New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation.Email: Robert W. Connolly

Louis J. Viviani (Member) born Rome, New York, August 21, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, New York. Education: State University of New York at Albany (B.S., cum laude, 1988); Albany Law School of Union College (J.D., 1991). Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation.Email: Louis J. Viviani

Edward G. Melvin (Member) born Greenfield, Massachusetts, April 24, 1970; admitted to bar, 1997, New York, Connecticut and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; 2000, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Education: College of the Holy Cross (A.B., 1993); Syracuse University (J.D., 1996). Executive Editor, Syracuse University Law Review. Senior Assistant Editor, American Bar Association's Labor Lawyer. Law Clerk to the Honorable Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 1996-1997. Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Employment Law and Litigation; Labor Law; Civil Litigation.Email: Edward G. Melvin

Dennis P. Hennigan (Member) born Syracuse, New York, July 26, 1953; admitted to bar, 1980, Ohio; 1982, New York; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; 1983, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: University of Rochester (B.A., 1975); Maxwell School, Syracuse University (M.P.A., 1976); Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1980). Order of the Coif. Member, Case Western Reserve Law Review. Member: Onondaga County, New York State (Member, Labor and Law Section) and American (Member, Sections on: Litigation; Labor and Employment Law) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Labor and Employment Law; Commercial Law.Email: Dennis P. Hennigan

Anthony R. Hanley (Member) born Syracuse, New York, August 5, 1960; admitted to bar, 1989, New York. Education: University of Rochester (B.A., 1982; M.S., 1983); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1988). Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Creditors Rights; Bankruptcy Law; Commercial and Residential Foreclosure; Real Estate Law; Collections.Email: Anthony R. Hanley

Nicole Marlow-Jones (Member) born Syracuse, New York, October 26, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of New York. Education: State University of New York at Geneseo (B.A., 1994); Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1997). Phi Alpha Delta. Order of the Coif. Member, Justinian Society. Law Clerk, Appellate Division Fourth Department, 1997-1999. Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Appellate Practice; Insurance; ERISA Litigation.Email: Nicole Marlow-Jones

Donald S. DiBenedetto (Member) born Queens, New York, June 23, 1959; admitted to bar, 1984, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: Fordham University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1980); Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1983). Practice Areas: Personal Injury; Insurance; Commercial Litigation.Email: Donald S. DiBenedetto

ASSOCIATES

Wendy S. Reese (Associate) born Rome, New York, August 24, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, New York. Education: Clarkson University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1999); Duke University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2002). Member: Onondaga County, New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates; Elder Law; Real Estate.Email: Wendy S. Reese

Timothy McMahon (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Massachusetts and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; 2007, New York. Education: St. Lawrence University (B.A., 2003); Trinity College, Ireland; Western New England School of Law (J.D., 2006). Recipient, Snyder Family Ethics Award. Member, Western New England Law Review. Member: New York State, Onondaga County and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability Defense.Email: Timothy McMahon

Christopher Todd (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, New York. Education: State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry (B.S., cum laude, 1999); State University of New York Law School, Buffalo (J.D., 2002). Editor of Buffalo Bar Review. Board of Directors for March of Dimes, CNY Division. Member: New York State, Onondaga County and American Bar Associations. [United States Army]. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Defense; Professional Liability Defense; Construction Law.Email: Christopher Todd

Jennifer L. Nuhfer (Associate) born Warren, Pennsylvania; admitted to bar, 2005, New York. Education: St. Bonaventure University (B.A., English and Journalism, 1998); Vermont Law School (J.D.; 2004). Member, Young Lawyers' Section Social Committee. Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. Current Mentoring Committee Member. Past Co-Chair of Mentoring Committee. Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee. Board Member, Camp Good Days and Special Times. Member: New York State, Onondaga County and Monroe County Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Defense; Environmental Law; Employee Benefits.Email: Jennifer L. Nuhfer

Ryan Keleher (Associate) admitted to bar, 2009, New York. Education: Siena College (B.S., 2004); Albany Law School (J.D., 2008). Member, Justinian Society. Winner of the Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition. Member: New York State Bar Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation.Email: Ryan Keleher

Nadine C. Bell (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, New York and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. Education: State University of New York College (B.A., 1998; J.D., 2002). Participant in Pennsylvania Bar Association's Agricultural Law Committee; Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; Women in the Profession Committee; Board of Directors of American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley. Member: New York State Bar Association; Pennsylvania Bar Association; Lancaster Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Land Use; Real Estate.Email: Nadine C. Bell

Christina DeJoseph (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: LeMoyne College (B.A., 2003); Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Committee Member, Miner Re-Election Committee. Member: New York State Bar Association; Onondaga County Bar Association. Practice Areas: Environmental Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Negligence; Premises Liability Defense.Email: Christina DeJoseph

OF COUNSEL

Richard D. Hillman (Of Counsel) born Hancock, New York, March 12, 1931; admitted to bar, 1955, New York. Education: Syracuse University (B.A., 1952; LL.B., 1955). Phi Delta Phi. Associate Editor, Syracuse Law Review, 1954 and 1955. Member: Onondaga County (Director, 1974-1977), New York State and American Bar Associations. [Captain, JAG, U.S. Air Force, 1956-1959]. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Tort Liability; Contracts; Estate Planning.Email: Richard D. Hillman

Donald L. Nicholas (Of Counsel) born Syracuse, New York, December 17, 1938; admitted to bar, 1966, New York. Education: Le Moyne College (B.S., 1960); Syracuse University (LL.B., 1966). Order of the Coif. Member, Justinian Society. Article Editor, Syracuse Law Review, 1965-1966. President, Onondaga Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., 1972. Member: Onondaga County, New York State and American Bar Associations; National Health Lawyers Association; American Society of Hospital Attorneys. Practice Areas: Health Care.Email: Donald L. Nicholas

SPECIAL COUNSEL

Shelly L. Di Benedetto (Special Counsel) born Oneida, New York, August 24, 1966; admitted to bar, 1997, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. Education: Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 1996). Order of the Coif. Former Staff Counsel, Travelers Insurance Company. Formerly with, Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. Member: Onondaga County and New York State Bar Associations; New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Insurance Defense; Products Liability; Construction Accidents; Insurance Coverage.Email: Shelly L. Di Benedetto