HUGH B. LEONARD

HUGH B. LEONARD grew up on the Maine coast.  After serving as a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army (1975 – 1979) he began work as a machinist on the Massachusetts South Shore.  He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1984 (B.A. magna cum laude); and Syracuse University Law School in 1987 (J.D.) and was admitted to the bar in 1988.

Hugh is licensed to practice in all of the trial and appellate courts of New York, the federal courts for the Northern and Western Districts of New York, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  He has practiced law in Broome County and Central New York for 30 years.

He is a member of the Broome County and New York State Bar Associations.  Hugh has served on the boards of the Binghamton Symphony, Vestal Hills Country Club, and The Family & Children’s Society.  Hugh was appointed to the Health Care Workgroup of the Southern Tier Economic Development Council.  He has acted as the pro bono counsel for The Girl Scouts Indian Hills Council, The Broome County Arts Council, and the American Civic Association.  Hugh is a past president of the Triple Cities Golf Association, a past officer of the Binghamton Gun Club, and a former member of Partnership 2000, as well as being involved in numerous other local activities and associations.  Hugh has been recognized by the Broome County Bar Association for his assistance with the American Civic Association shootings, was the recipient of the 2009 Girl Scouts – Indian Hills Council Community Service Award and the 2011 Broome County Bar Association Community Service Award.

Hugh’s practice includes trials and appeals, negligence and personal injuries, products liability, auto accidents, construction accidents, malpractice, premises liability, property disputes, as well as insurance litigation and coverage issues.

 


PATRICIA A. CUMMINGS

PATRICIA A. CUMMINGS was born and grew up in Georgetown, British Guiana.  Before becoming an attorney, Patricia was the Administrative Director of the Nuclear Medicine/Ultrasound Department at Parklane Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was board certified in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology.  Patricia graduated from Ottawa University in 1983 (B.A.) and Syracuse University Law School in 1987 (J.D.) where she was the recipient of the Best Advocate Award, Edmund H. Lewis Appellate Advocacy competition, The Order of the Barristers Honor, and the winner of the Grossman Trial Competition award.  She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1988.

See Patricia's involvment in a pivotal case on stillborn babies and women's rights to recover emotional damages

Patricia is admitted to practice in all of the trial and appellate courts of New York State; the Federal Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern District Courts.

Patricia has served pro bono as Of Counsel to The Bleeding Disorder Association of the Southern Tier and the Girl Scouts Indian Hills Council, Inc.

Patricia has served as a member of, the Board of Directors for the United Way of Binghamton, New York, the Advisory Council to the School of Education and Human Development, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, the Broome Community College Foundation, Inc., the Binghamton University Athletic Club, the Tri-Cities Opera, and the Binghamton Local Development Corporation.

Patricia also volunteered for the New York Metropolitan UNICEF Committee.

Patricia is a member of the Binghamton Rotary Club #64.

She is a member of the Broome County Bar Association, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the New York State Bar Association.  She was a member of the New York State Bar House of Delegates and is a Fellow of the New York State Bar Foundation.

Patricia’s practice area is civil litigation, primarily medical malpractice.

Patricia’s most significant reported case is Fahey v. Canino, 2 N.Y.3d 148, 809 N.E.2d 645, 777 NYS2d 416 (2005).

In 2010 Patricia was the recipient of the Girl Scouts – Indian Hills Council, Woman of Distinction Award. Click here to view a video about Patricia and this award.

Patricia serves as a member of the New York State, Third Department, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission and has held that position since her appointment by presiding Justice Anthony Cardona, in 2007.

On August 4, 2011 Patricia was appointed to the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council by New York State Governor Andrew Coumo.