By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

The death of real estate lawyer Donald Lischer on Jan. 11 expedited the planned acquisition of his law firm, Donald H. Lischer PC, by Amherst's HoganWillig Attorneys at Law.

"We were saddened that it took the turn that it did because we were looking forward to having him in our office," said HoganWillig managing attorney Diane Tiveron.

She said the addition of Lischer's well-established real estate practice, particularly in foreclosure sales, has created a speciality within Hogan & Willig's real estate department.

The foreclosure department, headed by one of Lischer's associates, Maurice "Chris" Doyle, mainly assists individual investors who need to foreclose on the mortgages they're holding. Depending on the case, bankruptcy, eviction or landlord/tenant work might be involved, Tiveron explained.

"We're looking to develop a niche of our own with the expertise that we have in the existing foreclosure market," she said.

The firm, which counts about 25 attorneys on its 80-person staff, also handles business/commercial, estate and estate planning, matrimonial, criminal, personal-injury and medical-malpractice matters.

Planning a transition

Lischer began talking with HoganWillig owner Corey Hogan in the fall about joining the firm on an of counsel basis.

"He was at a point in his practice where he wanted to slow down in terms of his day-to-day activities," Tiveron said.

Lischer had been ill for about six months before his death. His widow, Joelle, said he was looking forward to retiring and working on a limited basis.

"He was very concerned about the people who worked for him and being able to (remain) employed, so he was very happy that everything worked out very well, with satisfaction," Joelle Lischer said.

Doyle and two paralegals started at the firm Monday, moving from Lischer's former offices in the Brisbane building.

"Other than a couple small glitches with computer compatibility, it's going good," said Doyle, who had worked with Lischer since 1998.

The transition is going smoothly as the firm adds Lischer's files into its own and begins to contact clients. Tiveron said she doesn't anticipate any concerns.

"I think everyone is doing their best to join forces and make this work," she said.

Lischer's legacy

Lischer, who previously served on the Bar Association of Erie County's real estate committee, was well-known and respected across the state for his real estate legal experience, Joelle Lischer said.

"He obviously enjoyed and had a lot of respect for the law," she said. "I think he had a long distinguished career."

Lischer, who graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1972, handled real estate work for bank clients at both Little & Burt and Saperston & Day, two now-defunct law firms.

He founded his own firm in 1989 and focused on real estate and foreclosure work, including title searches.

A 1956 graduate of Park School, he was inducted into the school's sports hall of fame for baseball in 2006. He also served on the advisory board of Ticor Title Insurance Co. for Erie and Niagara counties.

Lischer, who earned a bachelor's degree from Williams College in Massachusetts in 1960, served in the Navy as an officer from 1960 to 1964. He owned Blossom Hardware Store in West Seneca before attending law school.

In addition to his wife, Lischer, who was 69, is survived by two sons, Jeff and David, and two brothers, Buck and Mick.