For more information, contact:
William P. Albert
Public Relations Manager
Harris Beach PLLC
(585) 419-8908

Harris Beach PLLC has expanded the scope of its practice in the White Plains office with the addition of Judge William A. Wetzel as of counsel in the Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group and on the Municipalities & Quasi-Governmental Agencies Industry Team.

Prior to joining Harris Beach, Judge Wetzel served as New York State Supreme Court Justice for the 1st Judicial District, New York County (1995-2009), and in the 9th Judicial District, Westchester County (2009-2010).  In 1995, prior to serving as Supreme Court Justice, he was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims.  Judge Wetzel decided more than 1,000 civil matters and conducted more than 400 jury trials of felony crimes.  He started his legal career with a New York City law firm and in 1971, founded Plunkett, Wetzel, & Jaffe (now Plunkett and Jaffe).  His practice included civil and criminal trials in federal and state courts, municipal law, and corporate law.

From 1979-1991, Judge Wetzel was executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Reeves Communications Corporation, where he was responsible for all legal, administrative and regulatory matters, and supervised outside legal advisors and auditors.  The public company was sold in 1991.  Judge Wetzel then entered private practice and focused on civil litigation, real estate, and commercial law until his appointment to the Court of Claims in 1995.  For many years, he served Briarcliff Manor as a village trustee (1977-1985), deputy mayor (1985-1990), mayor (1990-1992), and village justice (1992-1995).

For 20 years, Judge Wetzel was an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.  He served on more than 50 panels of one or three arbitrators.  He is also qualified as a mediator for the American Arbitration Association.  Judge Wetzel received his JD from New York University School of Law and his BS from the College of the Holy Cross.

Founded in 1856, Harris Beach and its non-legal affiliates provide a full range of legal and professional solutions for clients across New York state as well as nationally.  Ranked by the National Law Journal as one of the country’s Top 250 law firms, Harris Beach has 200 lawyers and offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Long Island, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, White Plains, and Yonkers, as well as Newark, New Jersey, and New Haven, Connecticut.  Clients include Fortune 500 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging technology businesses, educational institutions, energy industry companies, financial institutions, health care providers, medical and life science companies, real estate developers, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, state and local governments and authorities, as well as individuals.