James J. O'Connell

Jim practices law in the areas of education law, public finance, tax certiorari defense, real estate transactions, and estate planning and administration. His efforts in negotiating reasonable settlements and in obtaining dismissals of tax certiorari petitions have saved client school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential tax refunds. His success in appellate practice has written into New York law new safeguards for school districts an municipalities facing tax certiorari challenges.

Jim holds a bachelor's degree from St. Bernard's Seminary and College, Rochester, as well as a M. Div. degree; a master's degree in education from Syracuse University and a J.D. degree from the Syracuse University College of Law. Born and raised in the Albany area, Jim has lived in Central New York for over 40 years.

Prior to his career as an attorney, Jim served the Diocese of Syracuse for twenty-eight years in pastoral work in Syracuse, Rome, Florence and Liverpool and in educational work as principal of the Catholic High School in Rome, New York. Admitted to the bar in 1986, Jim's entire legal career has been with the firm. He is a member of several bar associations and community organizations. He enjoys his legal career and relishes the many challenges and opportunities in the practice of law.