Education

Providing debt relief for individual and business clients in the New York City area for more than three decades Gregory Messer, a principal in The Law Offices of Gregory M. Messer, has been practicing bankruptcy law for over 38 years. He represents business and consumer debtors and creditors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy matters. Mr. Messer has the legal acumen needed to handle even the most complex bankruptcy matters for consumers and companies. He frequently receives referrals from other attorneys and past clients who speak highly of his professional abilities. Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification since 1995, Mr. Messer has been a panel trustee for the Chapter 7 Trustee Panel for the Eastern and Southern districts of New York for 38 years. He has served as a Chapter 11 Trustee, Post Confirmation Trustee and Plan Administrator in various bankruptcy cases. Mr. Messer also served as a Mediator in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York.

For the first half of her career, Debra Whitson was a prosecutor, and she spent the latter half specializing in Matrimonial and Family Law. She is an experienced mediator and collaborative divorce practitioner as well as a recognized expert in working with victims of domestic violence. Debra believes that legal battles are more harmful to families than helpful, and is passionate about helping people find ways to make their own decisions for their families, rather than leaving their outcomes in the hands of a stranger in a black robe. When court is unavoidable, Debra aims to educate and support people to make the legal process less costly, scary, uncertain, and stressful.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Tucker C. Stanclift was born and raised in Lake Placid, N.Y. Tucker played ice hockey there and graduated from Lake Placid Central School in 1990. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Bonaventure University and earned a law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. Tucker is a proud father of three boys and lives in Queensbury, N.Y. He enjoys boating on Lake George with his kids in the summer. Tucker is the founding principal of Stanclift Law, PLLC, PC. He focuses his practice area in criminal law, DWI’s, civil litigation, personal injury and vehicle and traffic law. Tucker is known for his aggressive — yet compassionate — representation of his clients. He is dedicated to the legal profession and is active in the New York State Bar Association where he held a former chair of the Young Lawyers Section and is a current officer of the Criminal Justice Section. Within the community, Tucker is active in the Theater. He previously studied Shakespeare at Oxford University and enjoys live performance. He has been a member of the Glens Falls Community Theater and the Hudson River Shakespeare Company. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls.

Richard B. Alderman is an experienced matrimonial attorney, highly regarded within the State of New York. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania College of Law, cum laude, Richard has actively practiced family law since 1969, exclusively with Alderman and Alderman. Richard was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 1975. Richard is a member of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association where he presently serves as a member of the executive committee of the Family Law Section. With fellow matrimonial attorneys and judges, Richard serves as a member of the New York State Unified Court System Committee on Family Law. Since 1995 Richard has been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and has been included in “Best of the U.S.” and “New York Super Lawyers” in the field of family law. He maintains an “AV” or pre-eminent rating with Martdale-Hubbell. Richard is a frequent speaker and author in the field of matrimonial and family law. He has served as a speaker and moderator at the request of the New York State Bar Association and Onondaga Bar Association at programs of continuing legal education in the field of family and matrimonial law. He has been a featured speaker for the New York Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Richard has spoken at the request of the New York State Judicial Institute, an organization responsible for training sitting judges of the Unified Court System. Richard is admitted to practice before all New York State Courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York and the United States Supreme Court.

Eric started Jones Law Group in 2007 right after he graduated from law school. He has extensive legal experience with Social Security Disability and the healthcare industry. Eric also served as Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney for 12 consecutive years. Prior to attending law school Eric served as Vice President ofr an Ohio hospital where he was responsible for physician contracting, recruitment and relations. During law school Eric was the Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Managed Care for O.D.J.F.S. where his responsibilities included designing, implementing, and regulating the statewide expansion of Medicaid Managed Care. Eric also served as legal assistant to the General Counsel of the Ohio State Medical Association. Currently, Eric devotes much of his practice Social Security disability, civil litigation and representing health care providers. Eric is a recipient of the Capital University Law School G.O.L.D. award. The G.O.L.D Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD “Graduate of the Last Decade” who has made significant achievements as an attorney and has made notable contributions to the legal profession and/or the Law School. Eric has proudly to served as a Board Member of the OhioHealth Foundation and as a member of the Community Board of COSI. Eric earned his bachelor degree from Ohio University (B.S., 1995) and continued his higher education by receiving both his Master of Business Administration and his law degree from Capital University.

I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, the younger brother of two sisters and the son of immigrants. My mom was born in Germany and my dad was a Gottscheer. Gottschee was once a settlement of Austrians in what's now Slovenia; a settlement of German speakers that existed for about 600 years until 1941 ​ I started my legal career working as a law clerk for the Hon. Judge Harry Hanna and the Hon. Judge Leo Spellacy and visiting Judges assigned to preside over civil Jury Trials. During my time with the Court, I gained valuable experience observing lawyers handling Trials and insight in how Judges preside over Trials. As a law clerk, I assisted Judges with legal issues arose during those Trials. ​ After working for the Court, I practiced law for more than 18 years with a large regional defense firm representing insurance companies and insureds in a wide-variety of civil lawsuits including cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, mass tort, retail and hospitality, trucking and commercial transportation, commercial litigation, creditor's rights, and condominium law. ​ A few years ago, I had an opportunity to represent a woman who suffered a wrist injury and a unique, but serious condition when an airbag caused abrasions on her neck and face. Over-the-counter medications used to treat the abrasions caused my client to develop an allergy to propylene glycol. When I first got involved, the insurance company for the individual who caused that accident offered a mere $5,000 and denied that her condition was related to the accident. After working on the case, I obtained a significant six figure settlement. I gained a satisfaction that made me realize I wanted to represent individuals and families.

Adam R. Leighton, Esq. (arl@cohenandcohen.net), an AV-Rated lawyer and Partner at Cohen & Cohen, PC, is a 1997 graduate of the University of Toledo School of Law. In 1993, he received a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Economics from Tulane University. During law school, Mr. Leighton was a clerk for the Sixth District Court of Appeals (Toledo, Ohio), an intern at the Lucas County Public Defender’s Office, and a clerk for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. He is a member of the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio (inactive) and Maine (inactive) bars and the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Leighton focuses his practice in the area of medical negligence, automobile, and premises matters. Mr. Leighton won the Cohen & Cohen Trial Lawyer of the Year Award for his exceptional work in the area of medical negligence cases. He was named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in DC by the American Trial Lawyers Association, named as one of Washington DC’s Super Lawyers in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and he was chosen by his peers to be recognized in the 23rd Edition of The Best lawyers in America for 2017. Mr. Leighton has served on the Tort Law Steering Committee and Steering Committee of the Injury to Persons and Property Section of the D.C. Bar. Mr. Leighton was the 2011-2012 President for the Trial Lawyers Association of Washington, D.C. He has served as a Board of Governor and as a Chair of the Education Committee. Mr. Leighton has also served as a trial judge at the George Washington University Law School.

Russell has over 38 years of multi-state legal experience with both a local and national client base. He currently serves as outside General Counsel for several clients who own large Commercial Real Estate shopping centers both locally and nationally. Primary practice areas include financial institution and bank regulatory and compliance, representation of national creditors within general creditor’s rights enforcement, complex multi-state litigation, general commercial defense, Insurance Law corporate law, small business startups and general representation, and personal injury.

Charles Tyler Sr. is a compassionate, dedicated attorney with his office located downtown Akron, Ohio. He focuses his practice in the areas of family law and bankruptcy. Attorney Tyler received his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. He also received his Master’s in Public Administration, and Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Akron. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is admitted to practice in the State of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Colorado District. In addition to his law degree, he holds certificates in general and divorce mediation from Northwestern University and the University of Akron. Attorney Tyler has served as a Summit County Prosecutor and has worked as an insurance defense attorney for State Auto Insurance Company. Although Charles is compassionate and professional, he aggressively and represent all clients. When representing clients in family law cases Charles emphasizes the importance of working to resolve cases without destroying important relationships. When children are involved, he works hard to make sure that children do not have to choose sides. However, when a case cannot be resolved without a trial, he aggressively represents his clients. As a bankruptcy attorney, he works to make sure his clients get a fresh start. Charles provides a high level of personal attention to each client. He works hard to ensure that his clients’ rights are protected. He dedicates time and effort into getting the best results for his clients.