Main Menu Main Content
Photo of New Attorneys Join Hodgson Russ
News

New Attorneys Join Hodgson Russ

Press Release
March 8, 2019

Buffalo, New York (March 8, 2019) – Hodgson Russ is pleased to announce that Joshua Mertzlufft, Peter Sahasrabudhe, Emma Savino, Brianne Szopinski, David Yovanoff and James Zawodzinski, Jr. have joined our Buffalo office.

Joshua Mertzlufft, Associate, has joined the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. He focuses on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in fields including nanotechnology, thin films, semiconductors, optics, software, electronics, and the mechanical arts. From his project management experience and lean manufacturing training, Joshua understands the needs of modern businesses. Joshua works with corporations, startups, universities, and independent inventors to ascertain and secure the appropriate protection for their inventions. Prior to becoming a patent attorney, he received a B.S. in Applied Physics from Houghton College and was a mechanical engineer.

Peter Sahasrabudhe, Associate, has joined the Business Litigation Practice. He will assist with cases that cover several different areas of substantive law. His experience includes assistance with the defense of a derivative shareholder lawsuit, non-compete litigation, litigation involving the New York State False Claims Act, environmental litigation involving potential CERCLA liability, government audits and contract disputes. He has also been involved in some personal injury and insurance defense work as well as assisting on a criminal appeal matter, in a pro bono capacity, which was argued before the New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Department.  Prior to joining Hodgson Russ as an attorney, Pete worked for the firm on a part-time basis during his last year in law school and was also a summer associate here.

Emma Savino, Associate, has joined the State and Local Tax Practice. She handles disputes involving the New York State and City Tax Departments and counsels businesses and individuals in a range of multistate, state and local tax issues. She advises clients on all aspects of state and local tax from planning and compliance, to audit and litigation. Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Emma served as a volunteer law clerk for United States District Judge William Skretny of the Western District of New York. She was also employed as a law clerk at a local firm for nearly two years.

Brianne Szopinski, Associate, has joined the Real Estate & Finance Practice. She will represent clients in various commercial real estate and finance matters, including banking and finance, public-private partnerships, real estate development and real estate leasing. Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Brianne participated in the summer associate program and served as a summer law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman in Rochester, New York.

David Yovanoff, Associate, has joined the Corporate & Business Law Practice. He will represent domestic and international clients on a variety of general corporate matters. Prior to becoming an associate, Dave participated in the firm’s summer associate program. Dave also worked as a law clerk at the corporate headquarters of New Era Cap, Inc. and spent several years at a workers’ compensation firm in Buffalo where he was part of the legal support staff.

James Zawodzinski, Jr., Associate, has joined the Business Litigation Practice as well as the Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Commercial Litigation Practice. He will focus his practice on a number of matters which cover business litigation and commercial litigation, bankruptcy, judgment enforcement, corporate restructuring, creditors’ rights, financial services, general business law, breach of contract disputes, non-compete enforcement, general employment litigation, lender liability, director and officer liability as well as bank fraud litigation. James participated in the summer associate program at the firm. Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, he was employed as a law clerk in a Buffalo law firm.

Hodgson Russ attorneys facilitate the U.S. legal aspects of transactions around the world. The Firm practices in every significant area of law and uses multidisciplinary work teams to serve the specific, often complex, needs of clients, which include public and privately held businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals. Hodgson Russ has offices in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Palm Beach, Saratoga Springs and Toronto. To learn more, visit www.hodgsonruss.com.