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 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.
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.
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
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).