The Law Office of William Bernhardi opened its newest office at 3140 Sheridan Drive, across from Northtown Plaza in Amherst.

The law firm concentrates on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability claims.

"I help individuals with mobility and money problems who are disabled and out of work," Bernhardi says. "Having an office across the street from the Amherst Social Security office should make it easier for my clients to get help quickly, when they need it."

He has more than 20 years of legal experience in Social Security disability claims. He is a former Social Security claims representative and Social Security disability analyst. His law firm now has four offices: Amherst, West Seneca, Olean and downtown Buffalo.

WNYPA meeting set for Oct. 28

On Oct. 28, the Western New York Paralegal Association Inc. will host a litigation specialty section meeting at Phillips Lytle LLP, 3400 HSBC Center, Buffalo. Steve Metschl, of Metschl and Associates, will discuss "The Ins and Outs of Court Reporting," beginning at noon. For more information, contact Patti Koenig at pkoenig@campbellshelton.com by Oct. 26.

Jaeckle Fleischmann to host forum

Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP will host the Western New York Economic & Land Development Forum, Oct. 28 at Burchfield Penney Art Center. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m., with registration set for 8 a.m. Keynote speaker is John Norquist, president and CEO of Congress for the New Urbanism.

Norquist's work to promote the concept is based on his experience as mayor of Milwaukee from 1988 to 2004. Under his leadership, that city saw a boom in new downtown housing and a decline in poverty and became a center of education and welfare reform. He is an architecture and urban-planning expert and author of "The Wealth of Cities."

Also on tap is a panel discussion moderated by Kathryn Foster, director, UB Regional Institute. Panelists include Jacques Gourguechon, AICP principal, Camiros Ltd.; Rocco Termini, president, Signature Development; and Carl Montante Jr., vice president, Uniland Development.