Randolf Oppenheimer has been recognized as an Empire State Counsel by the New York State Bar Association. The distinction recognizes him for providing legal services to needy clients pro bono, or without fee, in 2008.

Oppenheimer is special counsel to Damon & Morey, where his practice focuses on labor and employment, commercial litigation and intellectual-property matters. He has more than 28 years of legal experience.

The NYSBA's Empire State Counsel program, created in 2006, recognizes lawyers who provide 50 or more hours of legal services to people of limited means.

Oppenheimer has been included in such features as the Business First/Buffalo Law Journal Who's Who in Law, Best Lawyers in America and Upstate New York's Super Lawyers.

LSED gets State Bar Foundation funding

Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of WNY Inc. recently received a $5,000 grant from the New York State Bar Foundation.

The money will be used to create a collaboration between LSED and Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Buffalo. Elderly or disabled clients will have access to legal guidance from an LSED paralegal while at the CCCS offices in West Seneca.

Cheryl Kostrewa, a staff paralegal with LSED, will be available by appointment at the CCCS office the second Thursday of every month, and on other days if a client requires immediate assistance.

Kostrewa will coordinate presentations by legal experts for CCCS clients and the public on topics including housing issues, foreclosure, Medicare, Medicaid and grandparents' rights.

HealthNow executive to head new Fed panel

The president and CEO of Buffalo-based HealthNow New York Inc. has been named chairman of a new advisory panel for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Alphonso O'Neil-White, a lawyer, will chair the Fed's Upstate New York Regional Advisory Board. He and nine other board members will provide an overview of Upstate economic conditions to Fed officials.

HealthNow is the parent company of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

New name for Attica firm

Dadd and Nelson, a Wyoming County law firm with offices in Attica and in Key West, Fla., has changed its name.

As of Jan. 1, the firm will be known as Dadd Nelson and Wilkinson, reflecting the addition of Jennifer Wilkinson, who heads the firm's family/matrimonial-law practice and supports the office's commercial law and litigation practice.

A 2004 graduate of the University at Buffalo Law School, she is vice president of the Wyoming County Bar Association.

Brent Manor settles discrimination claim

The owner of a Buffalo apartment complex has agreed to a $5,000 settlement to resolve a claim that it discriminated against a man with a disability.

A man who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome alleged that Brent Manor Apartments, 366 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, refused to rent an apartment to him. The nonprofit Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), which helped the man to pursue his claim, reports that a rental agent told the man there was a concern that his condition would "freak out other residents."

Brent Manor and its owner, Anthony LoRusso, have admitted no wrongdoing in the case.

The complex has agreed as part of the settlement to abide by fair-housing laws; to market itself as an "equal opportunity housing" provider; to have staff attend fair-housing training; to formulate a written procedure for tenant selection that complies with applicable fair-housing laws; to provide HOME with a list of all rental property owned or managed by LoRusso; and to pay $5,000 to the complainants.

New mailing address for Pfeiffer & Pfeiffer

Pfeiffer & Pfeiffer PC has a new mailing address.

All correspondence for the law firm should now be directed to Pfeiffer & Pfeiffer PC, PO Box 2355, Buffalo, NY 14219.

- Compiled by Matt Chandler