Department profile
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

Litigation: General Commercial

USA Guide 2026 : New York: Upstate


Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

Our litigation team strives to achieve the most favorable, expeditious, and practical solutions for our clients.

Our deep bench of litigators includes many with prior experience at Am Law 100 law firms in New York and D.C., as well as former Justice Department officials, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, military lawyers, and in-house counsel. Several of our team members served as law clerks to state and federal judges.

We represent businesses and individuals in state and federal courts throughout New York and around the country in all manner of complex business litigation, including intellectual property disputes, class actions, dissolution actions, significant insurance coverage claims, contract claims, non-competition violations, UCC cases, corporate governance disputes, and antitrust actions. In addition, we regularly serve as appellate counsel in both state and federal appeals.

Our clients include major national and regional hospital systems, universities, other not-for-profit institutions, public organizations, national and local businesses, and individuals.

We also represent organizations and individuals across the spectrum of government investigations, whether criminal, civil, or regulatory. Our team defends and advocates for the rights of organizations and individuals dealing with government agencies including the Justice Department, the New York Attorney General, the SEC, and various federal and state inspectors general.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - New York: Upstate

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Harter Secrest & Emery LLP houses a market-leading litigation practice with capabilities across a broad range of commercial disputes, backed by a team of experienced trial lawyers from its offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Corning and Albany. The practice demonstrates particular expertise in construction, employment and intellectual property law, acting for a variety of blue-chip clients including national and regional healthcare providers, public organizations and large corporations in the finance, manufacturing and technology sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Harter Secrest & Emery defended Mercury Aircraft in a class action claiming negligence after a data breach.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The lawyers know our business and have handled litigation for us very well. They are responsive and timely.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Harter Secrest & Emery is very responsive and has a good work product. The lawyers don't give overly complex answers to questions and provide clear answers.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The lawyers at Harter Secrest & Emery are always available for any problems we have, no matter how big or small. They are fast and efficient.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The litigation department is exceptionally strong, staffed by smart, sharp and savvy attorneys who consistently ask the right questions and never miss a critical issue. They demonstrate outstanding judgment, strategic clarity and deep subject matter expertise. The team approaches complex disputes with calm precision and creativity, anticipating challenges before they arise and executing with discipline and focus. Their ability to distill complicated facts and law into clear, persuasive arguments sets them apart.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Harter Secrest & Emery spent the time to learn our business and argue on our behalf. The lawyers are smart with a great bedside manner.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1John G. Horn
    Band 1John G. Horn

    John G. Horn

    John Horn excels in a broad range of commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters. He offers notable expertise in a number of areas, including environmental contamination and employment topics.

  • Band 2Peter H Abdella
    Band 2Peter H Abdella

    Peter H Abdella

    Peter Abdella is highly regarded for his commercial litigation practice. His clients benefit from his well-honed skills in complex contentious matters, and he offers particular expertise in the construction space.
  • Band 3Erika Stanat
    Band 3Erika Stanat

    Erika Stanat

    Erika Stanat enjoys a robust reputation for her litigation practice. She is particularly well versed in intellectual property disputes and ERISA matters.

    • Erika Stanat is a very good attorney. She is really well respected in her area of speciality.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Erika's strategic insight, judgment and command of the facts and law are exceptional. She is calm under pressure, relentlessly prepared and deeply committed to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients. She is an invaluable legal partner.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Erika Stanat is superb.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Sheldon K. Smith
    Band 3Sheldon K. Smith

    Sheldon K. Smith

    Sheldon Smith is a well-regarded dispute resolution lawyer who is notably skilled in litigation work and investigations. He advises on breach of contract claims, restrictive covenant issues and real estate disputes.

    • Sheldon is a commercial litigator who treats every matter as if it is the most important matter on his desk. He displays excellent judgment around litigation and settlement discussions, the ability to predict moves by opposing counsel and a painstaking attention to details. He is a well respected litigator.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Sheldon Smith is super responsive. He understands the commercial tensions within a project and knows how to package that up and outline it within a business approach.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 4F. Paul Greene
    Band 4F. Paul Greene

    F. Paul Greene

    Paul Greene maintains his reputation for his commercial litigation expertise, and is held in particularly high esteem for his strengths in privacy and data security work. He also offers considerable expertise in healthcare disputes.
    • Paul is an exceptional attorney with deep expertise in privacy and data protection. He consistently provides clear, practical and commercially grounded guidance in an evolving and highly complex regulatory landscape. His judgment is excellent, his advice is reliable and he is a trusted partner.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Paul is an excellent resource. He is extremely knowledgeable and able to take action quickly and effectively when needed.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 4Jeffrey Wadsworth
    Band 4Jeffrey Wadsworth

    Jeffrey Wadsworth

    Jeffrey Wadsworth enjoys a growing reputation for his commercial disputes practice including real estate disputes, breaches of contract and workplace claims. He offers considerable expertise in federal appellate matters.

  • Band 4Megan Dorritie
    Band 4Megan Dorritie

    Megan Dorritie

    Megan Dorritie is increasingly visible for her commercial litigation practice. Her expertise covers breach of contract disputes and employment matters, as well as municipal and tax work.

    • Megan Dorritie is very good.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Megan Dorritie is a capable attorney.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • I am very happy to work with Megan. She understands our situation and gives reliable advice.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP (7)

New York: Upstate

Members

Provided by Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership