Members of the Firm

    William B. Schiller founded the firm in 1999.  His major areas of practice include creditor’s rights, including; bankruptcy, foreclosure, loss mitigation and collections.  Mr. Schiller was admitted to the New York bar in 1988.  In 1990, he was admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York. He is also admitted to practice in New York’s Southern, Eastern & Western Federal District Courts.  Mr. Schiller is a graduate of the State University College at Oneonta (B.S. 1982); and the Jacob D. Fuchsburg Law Center, Touro College (J.D. 1987). He is a Member of the American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, President-elect of the Capital District Bankruptcy Bar Association and President of the Upstate New York Creditors Association.  Mr. Schiller is a frequent lecturer on the topics of bankruptcy and foreclosure.

    Paul B. Knapp is also one of the firm’s founders.  His major areas of practice include transactional real estate (both commercial and residential) and loss mitigation for lenders. Mr. Knapp has spent several years as counsel to banks and lenders, including extensive experience with closings and foreclosures.  Mr. Knapp received his BA Magna Cum Laude (1981) from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School (1985). Mr. Knapp was admitted to the New York bar in 1986, as well as the U.S. District Court, and Northern District of New York.  Mr. Knapp is also a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Cohoes Bar Association and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Associates

    Gary A. Lefkowitz is active in all areas of litigation.  His major areas of practice include civil litigation, business representation and real estate.  Mr. Lefkowitz received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College, and his Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Union University - Albany Law School.  He was admitted to the New York bar in 1983, and is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  Mr. Lefkowitz is a member of the New York State Bar Association. 

    Jaime B. Thomas was born in Troy, New York.  Mr. Thomas has a broad general practice, with significant emphasis on civil litigation, including construction law and lien law.  Mr. Thomas has extensive experience in real estate law – including purchase and sale of real property and representation of landlords in landlord and tenant disputes.  In addition, he assists clients in estate planning as well as estate administration.  Mr. Thomas also practices with regularity in criminal courts, with substantial experience in vehicle related offenses, including DWI.   Mr. Thomas is also the Town Justice in the Town of Schaghticoke in Rensselaer County, and has been acting City Court Judge in the following cities: Troy, Albany, Rensselaer, and Hudson.  Mr. Thomas received his B.A. from The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The School of Law at Western New England College.  He was admitted to practice in New York State and Federal court in 1989.  Mr. Thomas is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Rensselaer County Bar Association.  He is also a member of the Lansingburgh Rotary Club, is on the Board of Directors of the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, and is President of the Board of Directors of the Thomas and Helen Knickerbacker Memorial Playgrounds, Inc., as well as working with or having served other civic organizations.     

    Paul D. Rogan is a general practitioner with significant experience in various aspects of Real Property Law, including transactional real estate, zoning and land use, landlord/tenant, foreclosure and collections.  Mr. Rogan received his Juris Doctor degree from Union University - Albany Law School and his undergraduate degree from Hobart College.  He is admitted to practice in New York and Georgia. Mr. Rogan is a member of the New York State Bar Association. (member: Real Property Law Section)

    Ryan Eva Ruuska received her Bachelor of Science from St. Lawrence University and her Juris Doctor from Union University – Albany Law School.  She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2009 and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.  Her major areas of practice include loss mitigation, foreclosure and collections.

    Rebecca A. Borden has focused her practice on representing lenders, borrowers, purchasers and sellers in all aspects of real estate transactions and loss mitigation, including title review,  residential and commercial closings, land use, zoning and development, business formations, corporate and commercial transactions, and contract and lease drafting.  Ms. Borden was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1998 and the New York bar in 2002.  Ms. Borden is a graduate of Skidmore College (B.A. 1995); and Northeastern University School of Law (J.D. 1998).