Attorneys

William B. Schiller founded the firm in 1998.  His major areas of practice include creditor’s rights, including; foreclosure, bankruptcy, collections and loss mitigation.  Mr. Schiller was admitted to the New York State 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 and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  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 was an editor of the Law Review.  He is a Member of the New York State Bar Association and the Mortgage Banker’s Association.  He is the Past-President of the Capital District Bankruptcy Bar Association and Director of the Upstate New York Creditors Association.  He is the incoming Chair of the Consumer Bankruptcy Committee for the American Bar Association.  He was a member of the Local Rules Committee for the Bankruptcy Courts of the Northern District of New York.  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.

Gary A. Lefkowitz is active in all areas of litigation.  His major areas of practice include bankruptcy, foreclosure litigation, civil litigation, 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 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 foreclosure 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. 

Paul D. Rogan received his Juris Doctor degree from Union University - Albany Law School and his undergraduate degree from Hobart College.  He has significant experience in foreclosure, evictions, transactional real estate and bankruptcy.  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 foreclosure, loss mitigation and collections.

Daniel N. Young received a B.S. from Hope College and a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School.   He is admitted to practice in New York and Vermont.  He is a member of the New York Bar Association.  His major area of concentration is in foreclosure.

Jessica E. Stover earned her LL.M. in Real Property Development from the University of Miami School of Law, in May 2004, and her J.D. degree, in May 2002, from the Syracuse University College of Law.   Ms. Stover also holds a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science and a B.A., cum laude, in German from Union College, June 1999.  She is admitted to practice in New York State. Ms. Stover concentrates her area of practice in Loss Mitigation, Real Property law, including residential and commercial purchase and sales; leases; bank representation; title; condominiums; new construction development; and real property litigation.