Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP and Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP Announce Combination Effective January 1, 2025
Albany, NY – Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (WOH), the Capital Region’s largest law firm, and Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP (NHK), an esteemed business law, financial services, and litigation firm, are pleased to announce that NHK’s attorneys and staff will be joining WOH effective January 1, 2025.
The integration of WOH’s and NHK’s business law, commercial real estate, commercial litigation and other mutual practices will enhance both firms’ capabilities in these areas. NHK’s preeminent banking, creditors’ rights, business reorganization and bankruptcy practices will provide WOH clients access to these specialized services, while WOH’s broad scope of practice areas will provide NHK’s clients with an expanded range of legal services. The partnership solidifies Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP’s position as the premier law firm in the region. With the addition of NHK, the combined firm will employ 196 professionals, including 113 attorneys, making it one of the larger private-sector employers in the Capital Region.
“As we approach WOH’s 50th anniversary, adding the NHK team is a reflection of our continued commitment to thoughtful, organic growth that aligns with our culture and reputation,” said Robert Schofield, Managing Partner at WOH. “NHK’s exceptional track record in the areas of banking, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy perfectly complements WOH’s vision of assembling top-tier professionals committed to excellence in the service of our clients. This collaboration not only enhances our ability to provide outstanding legal services but also fosters professional development within our firm.”
“Adding NHK’s banking, lending, restructuring and insolvency practices to WOH’s broad and complementary legal capabilities creates a highly synergistic combination,” said Justin A. Heller, Co-Managing Partner at NHK.
“At NHK, we’ve built a client-driven culture focused on ensuring that our clients receive our utmost attention and the highest caliber of legal services, while emphasizing employee development and retention—values that seamlessly align with WOH’s approach,” said Madeline H. Kibrick Kauffman, Co-Managing Partner at NHK. “Joining WOH enhances our team’s collective ability to provide an extensive and deep suite of legal services to our clients.”
As WOH prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, the partnership underscores its deep roots in Albany, where it has been named a Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review for three consecutive years. WOH takes pride in its strong culture of support and retention, with 60% of employees having been with the firm for over 10 years, including 37% for over 20 years and 16% for over 30 years. Both firms also share a commitment to the Capital Region community, demonstrated through initiatives including the Proctors Ambassador Program and other firmwide volunteer efforts.
The addition of NHK includes the integration of NHK team members in Albany and Western New York. With WOH’s headquarters remaining in the Capital Region, and its continued presence in Poughkeepsie, this expansion extends the firm’s statewide reach while reinforcing its commitment to the Capital Region’s economic growth.
About Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm with over 100 attorneys, has developed a reputation for innovative solutions and professional leadership. For almost 50 years, the Firm has served the public and private sectors with a broad range of practice areas and industry experience including business, commercial, education, energy, utility regulation, environmental, land use, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, matrimonial and family law, real estate development, federal and state taxation, cybersecurity and data privacy, estate planning and administration, government relations and litigation. Headquartered in Albany, New York, with an additional office in Poughkeepsie, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP is recognized for delivering high-quality, client-focused legal solutions. The firm actively supports community initiatives and has been named a Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review for three consecutive years. For more information, visit www.woh.com
About Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP
Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP is a business law firm established in 1964 whose attorneys have been prominent in the professional, civic, business and political life of New York’s Capital Region. The Firm has earned a reputation as one of the Capital Region’s top law firms – delivering Wall Street quality legal services and results. Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP provides a full range of legal services in business and commercial matters including financing transactions, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and other insolvency-related matters, payments and other banking services, commercial real estate, corporate and general commercial law, and commercial litigation. The Firm prides itself on providing responsive, practical and creative approaches to complex legal issues.
Pictured: Matthew M. Zapala – Associate, Justin A. Heller – Partner, Francis J. Brennan – Partner, Madeline H. Kibrick Kauffman – Partner, Marco B. Koshykar – Partner, John V. Hartzell – Of Counsel, Brendan J. Carosi – Partner
