Mr. Schaefer was born in Hyde Park, New York and is a graduate of Vassar College (B.A. cum laude, 1984) and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law (J.D. 1993). He practices in the areas of insurance defense and coverage litigation, products liability, labor law, negligence and toxic tort litigation.

Mr. Schaefer was admitted to the bar of the State of New York and United States District Court, Western District of New York in 1994.

Joseph M. Schnitter, who joined the firm in 1998, concentrates his practice in the areas of insurance coverage analysis and litigation and appellate practice. He is an authority on supplementary uninsured motorists and no-fault coverage. Mr. Schnitter is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A., summa cum laude, 1976) and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law (J.D., 1979). He was admitted to the State Bars of New York and Florida in 1980.

Mr. Schnitter is a frequent lecturer at seminars sponsored by DRI, the New York State Bar Association, the American Arbitration Association and local claims associations. He is a native of Buffalo, New York.

Karen Cook Serotte concentrates her practice in the field of real property tax assessment on behalf of both municipalities and property owners throughout New York State. Ms. Cook Serotte is a graduate of Boston College (B.S., magna cum laude, 1988) and the State University at Buffalo School of Law (J.D., 1991) She was admitted to the State Bar of New York in 1992.

Ms. Cook Serotte, has been associated with Brown & Kelly since 1991. Her municipal representation includes the defense of assessments on complex commercial and industrial properties. She has been counsel in many published decisions clarifying seminal issues in property tax litigation, including a recent case before the New York Court of Appeals. Her representation has included the defense of assessments of utility properties including, but not limited to, transmission and distribution equipment and utility generation stations. She was successful in obtaining the dismissal of a challenge by a utility company against a municipality, thereby preserving municipal taxes. She is currently involved in litigation defending the largest singular assessed parcel in the County of Erie.

Ms. Cook Serotte also represents property owners in the reduction of their assessments, including residential homes, multi-unit income properties and complex industrial buildings.

She is a frequent lecturer for the Bar Association of Erie County and assessment organizations on real property tax assessment issues. Ms. Cook Serotte is a native of Buffalo, New York.

Lisa T. Sofferin represents companies and individuals in a wide range of business disputes, including intellectual property, contract and employment litigation. Her practice also includes Historic Preservation Law.

Prior to joining Brown & Kelly in 1991, Ms. Sofferin practiced law in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Sofferin is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Loyola Law School (Los Angeles). She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1984 and the State Bar of New York in 1990. She is also admitted to the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Seventh and Ninth Circuits; the United States District Courts for the Western, Southern and Northern Districts of New York, Central District of California, and Southern District of Texas; and the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Western District of New York, Central District of California, and the Southern District of Texas.

Ms. Sofferin is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County and the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.

Frederick D. Turner, who joined Brown & Kelly in 1963, concentrates his practice in the areas of construction, fidelity and surety law. Mr. Turner is a graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A., 1958) and Cornell Law School (J.D., 1963). He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1963.

Mr. Turner is a member of the American Bar Association where he serves on the Fidelity and Surety Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section. He is also a member of the Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, and from 1986 to 1988, was chairman of Division #5 on Contract Negotiations, Performance and Administration.

Additionally, Mr. Turner is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel where he served as chairman of the Fidelity & Surety Committee from 1991 to 1992. He is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County and a native of Buffalo, New York.

Tara E. Waterman, Associate

E-mail: twaterman@brownkelly.com

Tara E. Waterman focuses her practice in civil defense litigation, including the areas of insurance coverage and personal injury.

Ms. Waterman is an All College Honors graduate from Buffalo State College (B.A., magna cum laude). Ms. Waterman attended law school at the University of Buffalo Law School (J.D., magna cum laude).

Ms. Waterman is currently a member of the Bar Association of Erie County, New York Bar Association, and the Charles S. Desmond Inn of Court.

William P. Wiles practices in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate, commercial transactions, probate and tax law. He has been with the firm since 1980. Mr. Wiles is a graduate of LeMoyne College (B.S., 1976) and St. Johns University School of Law (J.D., 1979). In 1980, he was admitted to the State Bar of New York and the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Western District of New York.

Mr. Wiles is a member of the Erie County and New York State Bar Associations. Involved in his community of Grand Island, he is the former town attorney for Grand Island and a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Island Lions Club. He is a native of Buffalo, New York.