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Standardizing Efficiencies in Business LitigationStandardizing Efficiencies in Business Litigation

Heath J. Szymczak is a member of the Firm's Litigation practice group. He has extensive litigation experience in business-related torts, complex commercial litigation, and other civil litigation, including, among other areas, contractual disputes, unfair competition claims, shareholder derivative actions, shareholder freeze-out actions, corporate valuation, breach of fiduciary duty claims, class action consumer litigation, commercial lease disputes, intellectual property disputes, healthcare network provider disputes, replevin actions, construction litigation, estates litigation, lien enforcement, products liability defense, personal injury defense, insurance fraud, and insurance coverage disputes.

Education:

Canisius College (B.S., 1994, summa cum laude, MBA, 1995, cum laude), DiGamma and Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Societies; University at Buffalo School of Law (J.D., 1998), Business Editor, Buffalo Law Review. 

Admissions:

New York State (1999); U.S. District Court, Western District of New York (2000); U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York (2000)

Principal Area(s) of Practice:

Litigation

Past Experience:

Confidential Law Clerk, Hon. William M. Skretny (Western District of New York 1998 - 2000).

Memberships & Offices:

• Chair, New York State Bar Association ("NYSBA") Business Torts and Employment Litigation Committee of the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section ("TICL")
• Member, NYSBA "Faster, Cheaper, Smarter Working Group", which consists of a select team of judges, in-house and outside counsel from across the state tasked with finding creative solutions to reduce costs and adjudication times in commercial litigation.
• Member, Executive Committee, NYSBA TICL Section
• Member, NYSBA Special Committee on Discovery and Case Management in Federal Litigation
• New York State Bar Association; Erie County Bar Association; American Inns of Court
• Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International

Speaking Engagements:

• Presenter, "Legal Procedures and their Impact on the Claims Process" at the Law School for Insurance Professionals (NYSBA TICL Section)
• Presenter, Erie County Bar Association Reception for the Erie Supreme Court Commercial Division
• Presenter, New York Insurance Association Mock Trial Demonstration
• Presenter, NYSBA Annual Meeting

Publications:

• Standardizing Efficiencies in Business Litigation,  American Bar Association Business and Torts Litigation Journal

Community Service:

• Member, Board of Directors, Mid-Day Club of Buffalo (2012 - Present)
• Graduate, Leadership Buffalo (Class of 2007)
• Vice-President, Board of Directors, Buffalo Alliance for Education
• Board Member, Canisius College Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Member and Committee Chair, Canisius College Pre-Law Advisory Council
• Member, Bennett High School's Law Magnet Advisory Board
• Attorney Coach, Bennett High School Mock Trial Team
• Participant, University at Buffalo Law School Mentoring Program and Moot Court Judge
• American Heart Association Home Run Derby Organization Committee and Heart Walk Team Captain

Awards and Honors:

• Recipient, "2010 Committee Chair of the Year" from NYSBA TICL Section
• Recipient, "40 Under 40" Award from The Business First of Buffalo
• Recipient, "Commitment to Education Community Leader Award" from the City of Buffalo
• Named, "Up and Coming Attorney" by The Daily Record
• Recipient, "Distinguished Service Award for Law-Related Education" from the NYSBA
• Recipient, "Pathfinder's Award" from The Business First of Buffalo
• Recipient, "Key of Hope Award" from Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo
• Named, "Among Our Best" by Canisius College
• Listed, New York Super Lawyers