The Goldberg Segalla law firm celebrates 25th anniversary

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The Goldberg Segalla law firm is celebrating 25 years of delivering exceptional legal service across its national footprint, along with another major milestone as the first Buffalo-founded law firm to exceed 500 attorneys.

Launched in 2001 by Neil Goldberg, Tom Segalla and a small group of attorneys, Goldberg Segalla has grown into an Am Law 200 firm placing it among the 200 highest-grossing law firms in the United States, with more than 1,000 employees across the country.

The civil litigation firm now has 550 attorneys in 23 offices in major metropolitan areas in 11 states, including Rochester, New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The firm’s founders were highly respected, nationally recognized lawyers at the time of the firm’s founding. Goldberg was then serving as president of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the largest organization of civil defense attorneys in the United States, while Segalla chaired DRI’s insurance law committee, and was a highly regarded insurance industry advocate.

“Buffalo was an excellent place to organize and run a law firm, but we soon realized that our clients had needs statewide and nationally, and we seized upon that opportunity to develop the firm beyond Buffalo,” Segalla said.

When he was being recruited to join the firm, Chief Operating Officer Chris Belter sensed “a different energy, a different vibe about them.”

“They talked about wanting to build a firm that has Buffalo roots but would look to grow outside of Buffalo. The vision here was to build a firm that was going to grow beyond New York and be perpetual, meaning it would exist long after Neil and Tom retired,” Belter said.

With more than 250 people employed locally, the firm recently renewed its lease at 665 Main St., in the heart of Buffalo’s theater and business districts, demonstrating its commitment to the city.

“Our collaborative approach and team spirit have always been central to our culture. This is what attracted me and keeps us connected as we grow,” said Joseph Hanna, Goldberg Segalla’s hiring partner and management committee member.

“I’m the first associate the firm ever hired out of law school … I’ve been here for 21 of those 25 years, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit all of our offices and spend time with our great troops across our footprint,” Hanna said.

“You would never notice a difference if you walked into our West Palm office, or Rochester office, or Irvine Orange County office because our culture is instilled in us at the beginning, when we’re onboarded,” Hanna said.

“Throughout the interview process, as we’re talking to candidates, we’re focused on, not only who they are as lawyers, but also focusing on who they are as people,” Hanna said.

Belter joined the firm in 2001, five months after the founding. He was hired as an associate attorney, became a non-equity partner a year later, and an equity partner four years after that. He joined the management committee in 2010 and became the chief operating officer in 2020.

“I’ve seen the whole evolution … Though we’ve grown, we stay connected to Buffalo, embracing its blue-collar spirit and western New York heritage. Buffalo serves as our operational anchor, and regardless of our expansion, our main headquarters will remain here,” Belter said.

Goldberg, Segalla, Hanna, and Belter are Buffalo natives, as are the other firm founders Al D’Aquino, Cheryl Possenti and Jack Freedenberg.

“Buffalo has so much to offer as an excellent place to build a business, a career, and a family. The region’s affordability, shorter commutes, and vibrant culture create a quality of life that truly supports our business and our people,” said Chief Human Resource Officer Christine Marrano.

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