Kevin J. Cross, managing partner and chairman of Lippes Mathias LLP, has been named to City & State New York's 2026 Upstate Power 100 list, ranking No. 65. The list recognizes Upstate New York's most influential leaders across government, business, higher education, labor, advocacy, and the nonprofit sector. Cross was previously ranked No. 88 on the 2022 edition of the list. 

About Kevin J. Cross 

Kevin J. Cross is the managing partner and chairman of Lippes Mathias and leads the firm's executive committee. As managing partner, Cross is charged with responsibility for all of the firm's offices, attorneys, and staff. He is the conduit to the firm's partnership and its executive operations team. Cross coordinates the firm's strategic direction, implementation of initiatives and goals, and attorney recruitment. One of his main focuses is centered on positive culture and the promotion of a collegial and collaborative professional environment where team members focus on client objectives and the betterment of the firm as a whole. 

Cross concentrates his practice on state and federal business litigation, as well as environmental litigation matters. With more than 20 years of experience, he has handled cases in many areas of complex high-stakes litigation. His work often involves counseling businesses, officers and directors, investors, political organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations' in-house counsel. In his litigation practice, Cross has handled complex contract disputes, significant trust and estates matters, products liability issues, construction concerns, and other significant civil litigation. 

With respect to his environmental practice, Cross has been involved with complex multiparty environmental litigation, including CERCLA actions, navigation law claims, and toxic tort suits. He coordinates with technical consultants and regulatory agencies and has been involved with compliance issues, litigation, and environmental aspects of mergers and acquisitions. 

About Lippes Mathias LLP 

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm ranked among the top 200 law firms in the U.S. by size, with nearly 230 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.