Wilson Elser’s Albany Office to Focus on Business Litigation, Government Affairs
Wilson Elser announced this week that its Albany office, formerly known for its lobbying/government relations practice, will refocus its business on the firm’s core services – commercial and civil litigation and corporate transactions – and will launch a government affairs advisory services practice.
Newly appointed regional managing partner Peter Lauricella, an Albany-based attorney for 20 years, who has been with Wilson Elser since 2005, will lead the office.
“Albany has always been a full-service office, but the stature of our former lobbying practice and the fact that we are located in the New York State capital often overshadowed our other practice areas,” said Lauricella. “With a deeper focus on litigation and corporate transactions, our practices are more closely aligned with the firm’s core services offered by our other 29 U.S. offices. By adding an advisory practice, we expand our capabilities and are able to advise clients in a way we couldn’t until now.”
The firm’s release continues:
Wilson Elser attorneys in Albany represent clients in high-stakes lawsuits and commercial transactional matters related to a variety of practice areas including:
- Complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on contracts, noncompete agreements, trade secrets, unfair competition, corporate dissolution, shareholder derivative actions, intellectual property, construction, real estate, creditors’ rights and employment matters
- Professional liability matters, involving the defense of accountants, engineers, architects, directors, officers, attorneys, and financial and insurance brokers
- Premises liability, toxic tort and Labor Law actions.
For the newly formed advisory practice, attorneys in Albany, White Plains and the New York City offices will leverage their collective experience and reputations in government affairs and municipal law to help clients pursue their interests on legislative and regulatory fronts. They also will continue to represent clients before New York’s municipal and state agencies and legislative bodies providing regulatory and lobbying compliance advice, and represent clients in government investigations brought by the office of the New York State Attorney General and other state and federal agencies.
“Our experience in the government affairs and municipal law sectors has provided us with a deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory process that we can now parlay into a government affairs advisory services practice,” explained Lauricella. “We see potential for new growth opportunities because for the first time in more than 20 years, we can work with numerous lobbying firms and serve clients in a consulting role that advances our offerings beyond our core legal business. This was a key factor in our decision not to reinstitute a traditional lobbying team at this time.”
“There is no one better suited to lead the office into its next chapter,” said Daniel J. McMahon, Wilson Elser’s chairman. “Peter is well respected by his colleagues in Albany and across the firm, and is highly regarded by his clients and the general business community.”
Lauricella joined the firm and founded its Commercial Litigation and Government Investigations practices in 2005; in 2014 he was selected to lead all facets of the Litigation practice. Although based in Albany, Lauricella represents clients across New York state and in federal district courts outside of the state.
A native of Upstate New York, Lauricella has practiced in Albany since graduating cum laude from Albany Law School with his J.D. degree. He also holds a B.A. degree magna cum laude from the University of Albany.
In 2000, Lauricella was selected to participate in the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce “Capital Leadership” program (now named the Tech Valley Leadership program) and received the 2016 Capital District YMCA President’s Award for his board participation and decade-long service to the organization. In 2010, he was honored by The Business Review as a “40 Under 40” rising business leader and has been selected for inclusion in the Upstate New York edition of Super Lawyers in the Business Litigation category the past four years.
