OUR TEAM IS YOUR TEAM
Since 1926, this firm has provided strong, successful representation in our local and regional communities. We know the people and businesses of Rochester and Western New York—and the unique issues they face—because our attorneys come from here. Meet them and learn more about their professional experience and areas of practice.
JOHN B FITZSIMMONS
johnfitz@fitznunn.com
John practices extensively in the probate of estates for deceased persons with Wills, and administration of estates for persons without a Will. He also assists trustees in wrapping up trusts after the death of the trust owner. He has handled hundreds of estates, guiding executors, administrators, and trustees through the complex process of becoming legally appointed as a fiduciary, collecting and liquidating assets, paying expenses, and distributing and closing the estate or trust. His vast experience as a real estate attorney is especially valuable in estates and trusts containing real property.

John also represents elderly clients and their families in estate planning and other matters facing aging persons. He has handled several guardianship proceedings under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, representing the family members of elderly persons for whom a general power of attorney is not available, or is inadequate to protect their needs. Where appropriate he has also defended elderly subjects of guardianship proceedings.

He has received training in Article 81 matters, and even has the perspective of serving as a guardian himself. He has been appointed by numerous courts to serve as a Guardian Ad Litem in estate matters, and has been appointed Referee in several real estate foreclosure actions.

John also has a large residential and commercial real estate practice, representing buyers and sellers as well as private lenders and mortgage bankers. He also handles commercial debt collection for creditors. He currently serves as the attorney for the Village of Churchville.

Practice areas:

  • Probate and administration of estates of decedents dying with or without a Will
  • Residential and commercial real estate sales, purchases, and financing
  • Estate planning
  • Article 81 Mental Hygiene Law guardianship actions
  • Commercial debt collection

Education:

  • BA, cum laude, Nazareth College, 1987
  • JD, cum laude, The American University, Washington College of Law 1990

Memberships:

Admitted to practice before all Courts in New York State, US District Court for the Western District of New York, and United States Bankruptcy Court.

MARK NUNN
marknunn@fitznunn.com
Mark has extensive experience representing seriously injured people, focusing on cases of medical malpractice, serious motor vehicle accidents, and defective products, in all New York State Courts, especially Supreme Court and the Appellate Courts, as well as the Federal Courts, and Mediations and Arbitrations.

Mark has written essays for Rochester’s Democrat & Chronicle newspaper on topics related to the rights of injured people. He is a frequent lecturer at continuing education programs, and is a past officer of the local New York State Trial Lawyers Association chapter.

Practice areas:

  • Personal injury
  • Medical malpractice
  • Products liability

Education:

  • BA, cum laude, St. Lawrence University, 1978
  • JD, Union University Albany Law School, 1981

Memberships:

Admitted to practice before all Courts in New York State, the US District Court for the Western & Northern Districts of New York, & the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Member of the NY State Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Birth Trauma Litigation Group, & the American Bar Association.

RICHARD A. PLUKAS
plukas@fitznunn.com
Rich joined the firm in 2001 and was named partner in 2002. He represents severely injured clients involved in motor vehicle, premises, and construction accidents. Rich also represents people charged with violating New York State penal and vehicle and traffic laws. He has extensive trial experience in Supreme Court, County Court, and most local town and city courts.

Before joining the firm, Rich was a Senior Assistant District Attorney with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office for over 12 years, where he prosecuted a wide variety of cases, including felony DWIs, drug crimes, and violent offenses. Rich is a lifelong resident of Irondequoit, formerly served on the Town of Irondequoit Planning Board and is an avid Lake Ontario fisherman.

Practice areas:

  • Personal Injury
  • Criminal Defense

Education:

  • BA, Elmira College, 1985
  • JD, Western New England College, School of Law, 1988

Memberships:

Admitted to practice before all Courts in New York State and the US District Court for the Western District of New York. Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association, and the Monroe County Bar Association.

JASON ABBOTT, ESQ.
jabbott@fitznunn.com
Jason began his legal career as a confidential law clerk to the Honorable John T. Elfvin of the Federal District Court for the Western District of New York, before moving on to serve as a court attorney for the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Fourth Department. Jason was also an Assistant District Attorney with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted hundreds of cases, including cases involving homicides, illegal weapons possession and DWIs. Jason presently handles legal matters in both state and federal courts.

Practice areas:

  • Personal Injury
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Defense

Education:

  • BA, Oberlin College, 1995
  • JD, University of Notre Dame Law School, 1999

Memberships:

Admitted to practice before all courts in New York State, the US District Court for the Western District of New York and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

JOSEPH R. PLUKAS

josephplukas@fitznunn.com

Joe joined the firm in 2019 and was named a partner in 2022. Joe also represents clients in Title IX proceedings and practices in the areas of education law and municipal law. He represents severely injured clients involved in motor vehicle, premises, and construction accidents. He has extensive trial and appellate experience in Supreme Court, County Court, and most local town and city courts. Additionally, Joe works on a case-by-case contract basis assisting the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office with appeals.

Before joining the firm, Joe was an Assistant District Attorney with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office for 4 years, where he prosecuted a wide variety of cases, in both the trial and appellate courts. Joe is a resident of Brighton.

Practice areas:

  • Personal Injury
  • Criminal Appeals
  • Education:

Education:

  • BA, College of the Holy Cross, 2011
  • JD, Cum Laude, Western New England University, School of Law, 2014

Memberships:

Admitted to practice before all Courts in New York State and the US District Court for the Western District of New York. Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the Monroe County Bar Association.

Publications:

Joseph R. Plukas, Note, Not Balancing Well Interests Well: How The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Mismanaged Oil and Gas Lease Policy in T.W. Phillips Gas & Oil Co. v. Jedlicka, 36 W. NEW ENG. L.
REV. 68 (2014).

JAMES B. FITZSIMMONS   1937 – 2023
James practiced probate law, estate planning, and estate administration, as well as real estate and elder law, for 55 years. He also served as the attorney for the Village of Churchville for approximately 50 years, by far the longest tenure of any staff member in that village. He has represented multiple generations of several families, many of whom continue to use the services of Fitzsimmons, Nunn & Plukas.