Louis A. Ryen

Attorney Profile

Position: Of Counsel

Legal Services:
Mr. Ryen, a highly experienced attorney, has spent more than 40 years serving clients in the following practice areas:

Education:
University of Buffalo (B.S., 1956; J.D., 1959)

Admissions:
New York State Bar
U.S. District Court, for the Western and Northern Districts of New York

E-Mail: lryen@lacykatzen.com

Professional Affiliations
Mr. Ryen has been a private panel trustee with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York for over 30 years. He is often engaged as attorney for the Debtor, attorney for the Trustee and attorney for Creditors. He has actively participated in the following professional organizations including:

Mr. Ryen frequently lectures at law seminars, business conferences and as a guest lecturer at local colleges. He has been a continuous listee in the editors of The Best Lawyers in America.

Community Activities
Mr. Ryen has been actively involved in the community as:

When time allows, Mr. Ryen is an avid photographer with his world-wide work on display at several galleries, as well as a national publication. He is the creator of a photo essay, Stark Contrasts, Prague and Teregin, which is actively on a moving exhibition to galleries and religious and educational institutions nationally.

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Leon Katzen

Attorney Profile

Mr. Katzen, one of two co-founders of Lacy Katzen LLP, started this law firm in 1950. His vision was to create a regional, full service firm that represented each client with unmatched advocacy. The firm evolved to approximately 90 persons today.

Real Estate
Mr. Katzen was adjunct professor of Real Estate Law at St. John Fisher College, teaching brokers and sales persons to qualify for license.

Professional and Community Affiliations
Mr. Katzen has been a member of the following organizations:

Military Service
From January 1942 to October 1995, Mr. Katzen served in the United States Army. He was separated from service with the rank of Captain in Field Artillery, where he commanded an 8 inch Howitzer Battery with 131 men and 4 officers. Mr. Katzen received 5 battle stars and a purple heart, when wounded in action.

On a personal note...
Mr. Katzen bikes to work everyday for 9 months of the year. To the young Yankee fans of today, it is interesting to note that Mr. Katzen saw Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play baseball at the Yankee Stadium in 1927.

Lacy Katzen LLP
Attorneys at Law

Phone: 585.324.5719; Fax: 585.269.3035; TTY: 585.454.1315
E-Mail: lkatzen@lacykatzen.com

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Robert M. Vigdor

Attorney Profile

Mr. Vigdor practices in the area of residential and commercial real estate including the sale, purchase, financing, development and leasing of properties. He has represented clients in numerous zoning and planning matters including requests for variances from zoning board of appeals, requests for special use permits, site plan and subdivision approvals from planning boards and from other municipal bodies having jurisdiction. He has represented lenders in financing transactions and has conducted commercial foreclosures in workouts on behalf of lenders. Mr. Vigdor also has experience in mortgage banking and brokering matters including issues relating to licensing and regulatory compliance.

Professional and Community Affiliations
Mr. Vigdor is a member of the following professional and service organizations:

Lacy Katzen LLP
Attorneys at Law

Phone: 585.324.5763; Fax: 585.269.3049; TTY: 585.454.1315
E-Mail: rvigdor@lacykatzen.com

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John T. Refermat

Attorney Profile

Mr. Refermat is an experienced litigator whose practice includes complex civil and commercial litigation, real property tax certiorari/eminent domain, zoning and municipal/land use litigation, and environmental matters. Mr. Refermat also has experience in securities arbitration and construction litigation. An experienced appellate advocate, Mr. Refermat has successfully prepared and argued appeals before New York’s Appellate Division and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second circuit.

Mr. Refermat represents property owners, school districts and municipalities in real property tax proceedings and advises both public and private clients on the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On behalf of municipalities and other entities, he has successfully defended a variety of proceedings, including those involving SEQRA, landmark designation, and zoning/land use issues.

Mr. Refermat previously served as general counsel to the Binghamton Housing Authority, counsel to the Broome County Republican Committee and special counsel to New York State Senator Thomas W. Libous.

Professional and Community Affiliations
Mr. Refermat is a member of the following professional and service organizations:

Lacy Katzen LLP
Attorneys at Law

Phone: 585.324.5762; Fax: 585.269.3009; TTY: 585.454.1315
E-Mail: jrefermat@lacykatzen.com

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