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Benjamin M. Zuffranieri, Jr.

Managing Partner, Business Litigation and Construction Practices Leader
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Courts for the Western, Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Ninth, and District of Columbia Circuits
  • Pro Hac Vice admissions:
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of California
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • Justice Reid S. Moule, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, 1983-85

State University College at Buffalo, B.A., Magna Cum Laude

University at Buffalo School Law School, J.D., Cum Laude

Benjamin M. Zuffranieri, Jr. was named Managing Partner on February 1, 2022, continuing the firm's focus on strengthening client relationships, growing the firm's client base, enhancing collegiality, and serving our communities. Prior to becoming Managing Partner, he served as leader of the firm's Business Litigation and Construction practices. 

Mr. Zuffranieri has extensive experience in commercial, construction and international law matters. His engagements include trials, appeals, arbitrations and mediations, both domestic and international. His cases generally involved complex matters with substantial sums in dispute, including bet-the-company litigations. For many years, he served as Chair of the Hodgson Russ Litigation Practice, and gained substantial experience in alternative dispute resolution processes. Mr. Zuffranieri is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, National Roster of Neutrals, Commercial Panel. He has also been appointed to the federal court mediation panel for the United States District Court, Western District of New York. Additionally, he has participated as counsel and as a mediator in numerous arbitrations and mediations involving commercial, international, and construction disputes.

Mr. Zuffranieri was a lecturer at the University at Buffalo Law School from 1987 - 89 and at the State University of New York College at Buffalo from 1984 - 86. Prior to that he served as a Confidential Law Clerk to Honorable Reid S. Moule, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department.

Honors

  • Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation - Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants) 2007 - 2023
  • Listed, Best Lawyers in America: Lawyer of the Year (Bet-the-Company Litigation) Buffalo 2016, 2022
  • Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers (Business Litigation) 2007 - 2022
  • Listed, Best Lawyers in America: Lawyer of the Year (Litigation - Construction) 2019, 2020
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow, 2018
  • Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal's Legal Elite of Western New York, 2014
  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2013-present
  • Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal Who’s Who in Law, 2008
  • Buffalo State College President's Distinguished Service Award
  • SUNY Buffalo Law School Moot Court Board
  • Winner, Charles S. Desmond Moot Court Competition (Best Speaker Award)
  • Winner, Albert R. Mugel National Tax Competition (Best Brief Award)
  • Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award for academic achievement and appellate advocacy

Press Releases

Publications

Professional Associations

  • American Arbitration Association, National Roster of Neutrals, Commercial Panel
  • Member, Federal Court Mediation Panel, WDNY
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Erie County

Community & Pro Bono

  • Director Emeritus and long-time Chair of the Legal/Audit Committee at the Buffalo State College Foundation, Inc.
  • Former Trustee, Burchfield Penney Art Center