Stephen P. Brooks

Born: Belen, New Mexico, December 7, 1956
Email: brooks@smithmurphy.com

Admitted to Bar
New York State, 1987

Education
Rutgers College, B.A. 1983
State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D. 1986

Member
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Erie County Bar Association

Practice Areas
Mr. Brooks is a partner in the firm and concentrates his practice in litigation involving personal injury, insurance defense, industrial/construction accidents, product liability, municipal liability and medical/dental malpractice.

Lynn D. Gates

Born: Washington, D.C., August 18, 1945
Email: gates@smithmurphy.com

Admitted to Bar
New York State, 1977

Education
Smith College, Northampton Massachusetts, B.A. 1967
State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D. 1976

Member
American Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
New York State Bar Association
Erie County Bar Association
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association
Erie County Bar Foundation
Roswell Park Alliance Foundation

Ms. Gates is and has been active on several Bar Association Committees, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Negligence Committee. She has lectured for the New York State Bar Association as well as for private organizations including Western New York High Schools.

Practice Areas
Lynn D. Gates is a partner in the firm, where she has practiced personal injury litigation for the past twenty five years. Ms. Gates has wide experience in defense and prosecution of claims for negligence, personal injury, auto accident litigation, product liability, municipal liability and medical malpractice. She was active in organizing and participating in Buffalo’s first Settlement Week, held in October, 1995. She is a certified, trained mediator and arbitrator and has actively worked as an arbitrator/mediator for the past 20 years.

Dennis P. Mescall

Born: Buffalo, New York, January 7, 1961 Email: mescall@smithmurphy.com

Admitted
New York State, 1987

Education
State University of New York at Plattsburgh, B.A. - magna cum laude 1983 State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D. 1986

Member
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Erie County Bar Association
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association
Mr. Mescall has lectured to various private organizations, and is also a volunteer member of various community and religious organizations.

Practice Areas
Mr. Mescall is Managing Partner of the firm. He has been associated with the firm since 1986. Mr. Mescall is a trial attorney with experience in the defense and prosecution of negligence, product liability and malpractice claims.

Bonnie T. O’Connor

Born: Burlington, Iowa, May 23, 1945
Email: oconnor@smithmurphy.com

Admitted to Bar
New York State, 1978

Education
Brown University, B.A. 1972
State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D. 1977

Member
New York State Bar Association
Erie County Bar Association
Women’s Bar Association of New York State

Practice Areas
Bonnie T. O’Connor, Of Counsel has practiced personal injury litigation since 1978. Ms. O’Connor has broad experience in the defense of negligence, product liability, municipal liability, medical, dental and hospital malpractice, asbestos personal injury claims, as well as insurance coverage claims.

Frank G. Godson

Born: Elizabeth, New Jersey, April 20, 1928
Email:godson@smithmurphy.com

Admitted to Bar
New York State, 1951

Education
Colgate University, B.A., 1948
Yale University, J.D., 1951

Member
Erie County Bar Association
Erie County Trial Lawyers Association

Practice Areas
Mr. Godson, Of Counsel has significant experience in negligence, personal injury, automobile liability and insurance coverage litigation, including appeal work. He has served as Master Arbitrator for the New York No Fault Insurance System since 1979.