BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lippes Mathias is pleased to announce that Joseph W. Schafer has joined the firm as an associate in its Buffalo office. In his role, Joseph will work as part of Lippes Mathias’s Corporate, Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality and Cannabis Practice teams focusing his practice on mergers & acquisitions, business formation and structuring, licensing, contract review and other general matters. Additionally, Joseph will concentrate his practice on advising clients on New York State’s Cannabinoid Hemp Program and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, including the licensing process for cultivators, processors, distributors, retailers, and microbusiness applicants. Prior to joining Lippes Mathias, Joseph gained extensive experience in commercial litigation, including breach of contract, antitrust, business disputes, cannabis, class action defense, and employment disputes.

Outside of his practice, Joseph works as an adjunct sports law professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law and is a co-founder and regular contributor to the UB Law Sports & Entertainment Forum. Joseph also serves as the co-chair of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s Next Generation United’s advisory board. Additionally, Joseph was recognized as a rising star in the 2021 edition of Upstate New York SuperLawyers®.  Joseph's prior experience also includes serving as a Compliance Extern & Assistant to the Athletics Director for the Daemen College Athletics Department, and an intern for the United States Tennis Association’s Legal Department.

Joseph received his J.D. in 2018 from the University at Buffalo School of Law, and in 2013, graduated with his B.A. in history and a minor in Spanish from Davidson College, where he played NCAA Division I tennis.

About Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with more than 130 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Albany and New York, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.