Aaron M. Saykin

Aaron is the leader of the firm's Media & First Amendment Practice Area, helping clients navigate issues such defamation, licensing, press relations, and related issues including New York’s Open Meetings Law and Freedom of Information Law.  He draws from a wealth of media experience, having spent 13 years as an investigative television reporter in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Wilmington, North Carolina, before becoming a lawyer.  

As part of his growing media law practice, Aaron has helped numerous businesses and individual clients with reputational defense matters, including responding to false and defamatory comments in online interviews, posts and publications.  He advises media clients with pre-publication reviews of articles and videos, and assists them in responding to subpoenas for their materials.  Aaron also regularly helps clients respond to press inquiries, particularly for sensitive issues. 

Aaron also has extensive experience assisting clients with complex commercial matters and disputes. He has represented private and public sector clients engaged in some of the region’s most significant construction disputes, state-permitted energy projects, and False Claims Act cases. He represents both developers and host communities as their trusted counsel. 

In 2021, Aaron obtained a jury verdict in excess of $1 million for his client in a commercial dispute—even though his client was the defendant in that case. The jury rejected the plaintiff’s claims and instead found in favor of his client’s counterclaim. 

• Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation) 2023 - 2024
• Listed, Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch (Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Environmental) 2022
• Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Business Litigation) 2017 - 2023
• Listed, Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal's Legal Elite of Western New York, Rising Star, 2018 
• Max Koren Award (most outstanding member of University at Buffalo School of Law class of 2013)
• David Kochery Leadership & Service Award, 2013
• James M. Kieffer Trial Excellence Award, 2013
• Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award, 2012
• Best Advocate of the 2012 Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition
• Former member, Buffalo Law Review editorial board

• American Bar Association

• New York State Bar Association

• Bar Association of Erie County

• Former executive board member, University at Buffalo School of Law Student Bar Association

• Member, Dean's Advisory Council: University at Buffalo School of Law
• Chairman, Erie County Audit Committee: 2016-Present
• Member, Board of Directors: Western New York Deaf Access Services
• President, Board of Directors: University at Buffalo School of Law Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Group - 2018