Law Firm Overview

Since 1837, the lawyers who constitute the firm of Higgins, Roberts, Beyerl & Coan have had the privilege of serving the legal needs of individuals, families, businesses and organizations in the Capital Region. The men and women of our firm look forward to working with and for future generations of the people and businesses in our area.

The motto of our law firm is "Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret." Not to be served, but to serve.

Time is merely one test of talent, integrity, knowledge and proper application of the law, but it is a clear indicator of the ability of a firm to stay current and relevant in this changing world in which we live and work.

A significant number of lawyers in the Capital District have been associated with the firm as partners, associates and clerks. The present Schenectady County Surrogate's Court Judge, Honorable Barry D. Kramer, and the present Schenectady County District Attorney, Robert M. Carney, are former partners of the law firm.

The firm had offices in the City of Schenectady at 251 State Street and 502 State Street for 158 years before it moved to its present location at 1430 Balltown Road in Niskayuna in 1994.

Higgins, Roberts, Beyerl & Coan is one of the oldest firms in New York State and thus in the entire United States.

Pro Bono Activities

• Member, Legal Aid Society Lawyer Referral Panel, 1991 - Present

Representative Cases

• Guntur v. Union College, 1991 WL 268844 (N.D.N.Y. 1991)
• VanSchaick v. Union College, 728 NYS 2d 275 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 2001)
• Andrews v. Trustco Bank, 735 NYS 2d 640 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 2001)
• Liberty Mgmt. v. Town of Glenville, 728 NYS 2d 262 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 2001)
• Maras v. Board of Education, 712 N.Y.S. 2d 208 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 2000)
• Union College v. City of Schenectady, 91 NY 2d 161 (Court of Appeals of New York 1997)
• Norman v. Amphenol, 956 F. Supp. 158 (United States District Court 1997)
• Planck v. Niskayna Central School District, 666 NYS 2d 740 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 1997)
• Meditrust v. Fahey, 664 NYS 2d 874 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 1997)
• Powers v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 516 NY 52d 811 1987
• General Electric Technical Services Co., Inc. v. Clinton, 577 NYS 2d 719 (Court of Appeals of New York 1991)
• Meditrust v. Fahey, 641 NYS 2d 2021 (Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York 1996)

West Practice Categories

Business Organizations, Estate Planning, Trusts, Family Law, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Defense, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate Law