BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lippes Mathias is pleased to announce that it has promoted attorneys Scott S. Allen, Jr., Courtney Donahue Tasner, Ryan V. Stearns and Lauren A. Suttell to Partner. 

“Partnership is an important milestone in each of these attorneys’ careers and we are proud of their development and contributions to our Firm’s collective growth and success,” Kevin J. Cross, Managing Partner at Lippes Mathias, said. “On behalf of the firm and its partnership, I’m honored to extend congratulations to each of these individuals.” 

A former Assistant United States Attorney, Scott S. Allen, Jr., focuses his practice on government investigations and compliance matters. He represents defendants, targets, witnesses, and businesses during civil and criminal investigations and related litigation brought by federal and state entities by assisting clients with responses to subpoenas, search warrants, and civil investigative demands, and by representing them in court. As a member of the Government & State Attorneys General Investigations team, Scott has also challenged vague or unconstitutional New York State laws through federal and state lawsuits. Additionally, Scott uses his previous prosecutorial experience to conduct internal investigations for businesses that suspect fraud within their operation. 

Courtney Donahue Tasner concentrates her practice in all areas of estate administration, probate, and related Surrogate Court proceedings. Such additional proceedings include limited administration, working with the County Public Administrator, wrongful death related estate proceedings and contested estate proceedings. Courtney also regularly assists clients and families with guardianship proceedings under the Surrogate Court Procedure Act Article 17 and 17A, and the Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 adult guardianship in Supreme Court. Courtney is qualified to receive Part 36 appointments and serves as Guardian ad Litem in Surrogate’s Court, Court Evaluator, Attorney for Incapacitated Persons and Guardian under Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 in Supreme Court. Additionally, Courtney has extensive experience with working with a variety of clients and families on estate plans. Such plans range from foundational estate planning with Last Will and Testaments, Health Care Proxies and Power of Attorney documents, to advanced planning with trust documents for a variety of complex planning needs including long term care planning and supplemental needs planning. 

Ryan V. Stearns’ practice focuses on commercial real estate, including the representation of public REITs, private equity groups, and investors in connection with the acquisition, sale, development, leasing, ground leasing, and financing of a variety of asset classes. Additionally, Ryan serves as the Co-Leader for the Firm’s Cannabis Practice Team where he advises cannabis companies and related businesses, including hemp and CBD-based companies, with issues related to legal cannabis business activities and real estate transactions. 

Lauren A. Suttell provides corporate and regulatory counsel to health care providers, including health systems, hospitals, medical groups, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, and individual practitioners. Her experience includes acquisitions and sales of health care private practices and the formation and organization of unique health care affiliations and collaborations, including national telehealth networks, accountable care organizations, independent physician associations, and practice management arrangements. Additionally, Lauren’s health care experience is strengthened by her extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector. As Team Leader of the Firm’s Not-For-Profit Practice Team, she regularly provides guidance to not-for-profits in a variety of industries in all aspects of their organization and operation, including, but not limited to, obtaining federal and state tax exemption, tax-exemption compliance matters, and governance best practices, policies, and procedures. 

About Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman 

Lippes Mathias LLP 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.