BUFFALO, NY – Lippes Mathias today announced the addition of Brendan P. Kelleher, a partner, to its employment practice in its Buffalo, NY office. Brendan’s practice focuses on the representation of employers in all areas of employment law, including the negotiation of employment and separation agreements, counseling employers regarding their obligations under federal and New York State labor and employment laws, and representing employers before federal and state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the United States and State Departments of Labor, and other federal and state agencies. Brendan allocates a significant portion of his practice to the representation and counseling of school districts.

“We are excited to bring on a seasoned employment and litigation lawyer in Brendan. His decades of experience in complex employment matters is second to none,” Kevin J. Cross, Lippes Mathias’ managing partner and chairman, said. “A strategic addition to our growing employment practice, I’m confident Brendan’s deep legal acumen and his approachable, confident demeanor in high-stakes situations will benefit our clients and team for years to come.”

Brendan regularly conducts workplace investigations for employers, including investigations of allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other alleged employee misconduct. Brendan formerly served as general counsel to the City of Buffalo School District, and prior to practicing law, he worked as a member of the foreign policy staff of United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Brendan received his J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and graduated with his undergraduate degree in political science from American University. Brendan has a history of community involvement, having formally served on the board of trustees for both St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and St. Mary’s School for the Deaf.

Brendan has been the recipient of a number of prestigious legal awards and recognitions that include: The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management, since 2016; Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, since 2013; Buffalo Business First and Buffalo Law Journal, Legal Elite of Western New York, 2014 and 2015; and the Irish Legal 100, 2021 and 2022.

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with more than 140 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, 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. 

Year after year, Lippes Mathias is proud to be recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers and Chambers USA.