Lippes Mathias LLP has begun the summer by adding seven attorneys across its five offices, thereby strengthening its capabilities in various practice areas, including litigation, investigations, insurance, municipal, and regulatory matters. The attorneys have joined the firm in its offices in Clarence, Buffalo, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, and West Palm Beach. 

Michael C. Arena has joined the Buffalo office as a member of the business & commercial litigation and consumer financial services practice teams. He represents clients in business disputes and consumer protection matters in courts throughout New York and across the country. Arena also assists clients with claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

Arena received his J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 2023 and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in journalism from St. Bonaventure University in 2015. He is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County. 

Drew D. Berman has joined the firm’s West Palm Beach office as an associate in the litigation practice team. He focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, commercial contracts, commercial leasing, and employment law. 

Before joining Lippes Mathias, Berman served in the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, where he litigated numerous jury trials. He earned his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2023 and his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. He is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. 

Brenden K. Diaz is based in the Clarence office and is an associate in the insurance recovery, counseling & litigation practice team. He focuses his practice on insurance coverage and counseling and advises clients on risk and insurance-related matters. Before joining Lippes Mathias, Diaz was an attorney at Barclay Damon LLP, where he counseled clients on land use, zoning, energy, and real estate issues. He earned both his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo in 2024 and holds a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from the same institution. 

Harrison L. Hartsough has joined the firm’s Rochester office as a member of the litigation practice team. He focuses his practice on a wide range of business and commercial litigation matters, including complex contract disputes and matters involving construction services, insurance coverage, and regulatory issues. Prior to joining Lippes Mathias, Hartsough worked at a large regional law firm on complex litigation matters and later served as a term clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. He earned his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in 2022, where he was notes editor for the Washington University Jurisprudence Review, and his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2016. He is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association and serves on the board of directors for the Penfield Symphony Orchestra. 

Kevin P. Hickey, based in Saratoga Springs, represents clients in litigation, arbitration, and mediation involving commercial, governmental, and compliance-related matters. His background includes public service and private practice, including senior legal roles within the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the New York State Attorney General’s Office. He also served as legal counsel to a BOCES and advised closely held corporations and global manufacturers. Hickey earned his J.D. from Albany Law School in 1998 and his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany in 1994. 

Mina N. Mirzaie, also based in Saratoga Springs, is an associate in the government & corporate investigations practice team. She advises clients involved in civil and criminal investigations, subpoena response and compliance matters. Before entering private practice, Mirzaie served as an assistant district attorney in Kings County and later worked at a civil litigation firm in Albany. She earned her J.D. from Albany Law School in 2022 and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Creighton University in 2018. She is active in several professional organizations, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics. 

Henry F. Wojtaszek has joined the Buffalo office as senior counsel. He brings more than three decades of legal experience, public service, and business leadership to the firm. His practice focuses on municipal law and public finance matters, advising local governments, public officials, and municipal boards on governance, contracts, regulatory compliance, and related legal issues. Prior to joining the firm, Wojtaszek served as chief executive officer of Batavia Downs Gaming, where he previously held the role of general counsel. Earlier in his career, he served as the elected city attorney for North Tonawanda, a partner at Harris Beach PLLC, and a judge advocate in the U.S. Navy. He earned his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts from Buffalo State University in 1984. His professional and community involvement includes board service with the American Red Cross of Western New York, the American Legion, and numerous civic organizations. He is a recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal and has been recognized on City & State New York’s “Upstate Power 100” list. 

About Lippes Mathias LLP 

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with nearly 220 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Clarence, Albany, Long Island, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.