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| vbuzard@harrisbeach.com |
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Rochester Office
99 Garnsey Road
Pittsford, NY, 14534
phone: (585) 419-8800 or
(800) 685-1429
fax: (585) 419-8801
direct:
phone: (585) 419-8605
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A. Vincent
Buzard
Member
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Mr. Buzard is a member of the firm and leader of the Appellate Litigation & Advocacy Practice Group and a member of the Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group. He also practices in the area of personal injury. Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America in appellate practice, Mr. Buzard is a successful appellate and trial lawyer with extensive experience in handling cases involving complex and novel issues of law. His recent appellate cases include the following:
- Dartnell Enterprises, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 872 N.Y.S. 2d 823 (4 Dept., 2009); successfully argued for reversal of court below which had held that a claim for deceptive commercial conduct was bared by Massachusetts law.
- Atkin v. Board of Assessors, 50 A.D. 3d 1496 (4 Dept., 2008); successfully argued for zero assessment of a large commercial property because of contamination (first such case in the state).
- In re Accounting by Fleet Bank, 10 N.Y. 3d 163 (2008); (“Jell-O case” which received national and international media coverage); successfully argued rule applicable to out-of-wedlock children in trust resulting in unanimous reversal of court below.
- White Plains Coat & Apron Co., Inc. v. Cintas Corp. , 8 N.Y. 3d 422; 867 N.E. 2d 381(2007); successfully argued for new rule in tortious interference cases
- Buffalo Teachers Federation v. Tobe, 464 F.3d 362 (2nd Circuit, 2006); 11 Wage & Hour Cas. 2d (BNA) 1623; 153 Lab. L. Rep. (CCH) 60274, Decided, U.S. Supreme Court certiorari denied by Buffalo Teachers Fed. v. Tobe, 2007 U.S. Lexis 4563 (U.S., Apr. 30, 2007); successfully argued constitutionality of wage freeze.
- Foley v. Masiello, 38 A.D. 3d 1201; 833 N.Y. 2d 342 (4th Dept. 2007); successfully argued applicability of Statute of Limitations.
- Kimmel v. State of New York, 38 A.D. 3d 1155; 831 N.Y.S. 2d 629; (4th Dept. 2007); successfully argued for reversal of sanctions of attorney.
- Staats v. Wegmans Food Mkts. , Inc.; 35 A.D. 3d 1150; 826 N.Y.S. 2d 870 (4th Dept. 2006); successfully argued for reversal of lower court’s reduction of verdict.
- Kizis v. Nehring, 27 A.D. 3d 1110; 810 N.Y.S. 2d 704 (4th Dept. 2006); successfully argued for reversal of verdict of no cause for action.
- Meegan v. Masiello, 21 A.D. 3d 1266; 802 N.Y.S. 2d 576; 2005 N.Y. (4th Dept. 2005); successfully argued validity of wage freeze on municipal employees.
As a result of his experience as Corporation Counsel for the City of Rochester, he has both represented and brought cases against municipalities and other governmental entities involving contract, zoning, employment and other government issues. Mr. Buzard frequently represents other attorneys and law firms on appeals and other matters.
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Education |
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JD, 1967, cum laude, University of Michigan Law School
BA, 1964, Wabash College
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Admissions to Practice |
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New York State Bar
United States District Court
Western District of New York
United States Court of Appeals
Second Circuit
United States Supreme Court
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Professional and Community Activities |
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Mr. Buzard served as the 108th President of the New York State Bar Association from June 1, 2005 – May 31, 2006. During his term as President, Mr. Buzard’s initiatives included increasing the public’s understanding of the legal system and the lawyers role in it by such programs as the “People's Law School" and a weekly statewide “Ask a Lawyer column,” establishing a task force on lawyer advertising which proposed new rules limiting lawyer advertising some of which were adopted, establishing a task force on the attorney-client privilege which resulted in a report adopted by the American Bar Association, establishing a task force on the Kelo decision making recommendations regarding eminent domain in the state of New York, initiating a new program to teach lawyer professionalism, advocating for increases in judicial pay, advocating against federal legislative intrusion into areas previously reserved to the states, and developing and strengthening strategies to educate the public on the critical need for an independent judiciary.
Mr. Buzard is also a past President of the Monroe County Bar Association. In 1995, he received the Adolph J. Rodenbeck Award for his outstanding contribution to the community and to the profession. In 2006, he received the “Justice for all Award" for his work in advocating for the override of the governor's veto of funding for legal services.
He serves on the American Bar Association House of Delegates and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Appellate Lawyers.
Mr. Buzard was instrumental in the establishment of the Commercial Court in Rochester and served with Chief Judge Kaye on her Special Committee on the Establishment of Commercial Courts in the State of New York. He is a member of the Governor's Fourth Departmental Judicial Screening Committee which screens and evaluates judges for appointment by the governor to County Court, Supreme Court, and the Appellate Division. He serves as a referee for the New York State Judicial Conduct Commission hearing cases involving alleged judicial misconduct. He also serves as chair of the New York State Bar Association committee to review candidates for the New York State Court of Appeals. In 2006, Mr. Buzard was appointed by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye to serve on the Special Commission on the Future of the New York State Courts and in 2007, he was appointed by her to chair the Seventh District Judicial Screening Commission which screens candidates for all courts in the district.
Mr. Buzard has been a legal commentator and host on Rochester radio and television stations. He has also lectured on the topics of appellate and trial practice and commercial and municipal litigation for other attorneys. His recent publications include “Practical Tips for Arguing an Appeal and Suggestions for Effective Appellate Oral Argument” in the New York State Bar Association Journal, May 2007, and “Second Circuit Upholds Municipal Wage Freeze” in the New York State Bar Association Municipal Law Section’s Municipal Lawyer, Winter 2007.
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