If you think navigating the labyrinth of state agencies, licensing boards, and municipal regulations is tough, you’re not alone—over 70 % of small‑business owners in the Capital Region report losing time and money to administrative disputes each year. The right attorney can turn a bureaucratic nightmare into a manageable solution, and Albany boasts a concentration of seasoned specialists ready to fight for you.
1. Sarah M. Whitaker
A native of Albany, Whitaker practices at Whitaker & Associates, focusing exclusively on administrative law, health‑care licensing, and environmental compliance. She was named “Top Administrative Lawyer” by New York Legal Digest in 2024 and successfully argued a precedent‑setting case before the New York State Office of Administrative Hearings. Whitaker earned her J.D. from Albany Law School and a B.S. in Public Policy from SUNY‑Binghamton; she is fluent in English and Spanish.
Phone: (518) 555‑0123
Email: swhitaker@whitakerlaw.com
2. Michael J. Rizzo
Based in downtown Albany, Rizzo is a partner at Rizzo & Miller LLP, where he handles government contracts, zoning appeals, and public‑employee disciplinary matters. His litigation record includes a 2025 victory that limited the scope of a statewide occupational licensing fee. He holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School and an M.P.A. from the University at Albany; he speaks English and Italian.
Phone: (518) 555‑0456
Email: mrizzo@rimlaw.com
3. Elena V. Torres
Torres leads the administrative practice at Torres Legal Group, advising nonprofits, educational institutions, and healthcare providers on regulatory compliance. She was recognized in Super Lawyers 2026 for her work on a landmark Medicaid reimbursement case. Torres graduated cum laude from Columbia Law School and is bilingual in English and Portuguese.
Phone: (518) 555‑0789
Email: elena.torres@torresgroup.com
4. Daniel K. Lee
Lee is a senior counsel at Hudson Valley Law Partners, where he specializes in employment‑law agency matters, workers’ compensation adjudications, and labor‑board hearings. In 2024 he secured a settlement that restored benefits to over 200 former state employees. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University and his undergraduate degree in Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; he is proficient in English and Korean.
Phone: (518) 555‑1023
Email: dlee@hvlaw.com
5. Patricia “Pat” O’Connor
Pat O’Connor heads the regulatory division of O’Connor & Foster, handling insurance‑industry oversight, professional licensing, and consumer‑protection disputes. Her 2025 appellate win clarified the scope of the New York Department of Financial Services’ authority. She holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY‑Albany; she speaks English and French.
Phone: (518) 555‑1345
Email: po’connor@oconnorfoster.com
6. James L. Patel
Patel is a founding partner of Patel, Green & Associates, focusing on environmental permitting, hazardous‑waste compliance, and agency enforcement actions. He helped draft a 2023 amendment to the State Environmental Quality Review Act that streamlined public‑interest hearings. He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan and his B.S. in Chemistry from Union College; he is fluent in English and Hindi.
Phone: (518) 555‑1678
Email: jpatel@pgalaw.com
7. Laura M. Sinclair
Sinclair leads the administrative litigation team at Sinclair Legal Services, representing municipalities and utilities in zoning, land‑use, and public‑utility commission matters. Her 2024 success before the New York Public Service Commission set a new standard for rate‑setting transparency. She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Master’s in Urban Planning from Cornell; she speaks English and German.
Phone: (518) 555‑1990
Email: lsinclair@sinclairlaw.com
8. Carlos D. Méndez
Méndez is a senior attorney at Méndez & Associates, handling immigration‑related administrative hearings, licensing for foreign‑trained professionals, and state‑agency appeals. He achieved a 2025 settlement that expedited credential recognition for over 300 practitioners. He earned his J.D. from Albany Law School and his B.A. in International Relations from Georgetown; he is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Phone: (518) 555‑2233
Email: carlos.mendez@mdlaw.com
9. Rebecca J. Morgan
Morgan practices at Morgan, Bell & Co., focusing on public‑sector procurement disputes, grant compliance, and administrative adjudication for non‑profits. Her 2023 successful challenge of a state procurement rule saved a regional arts organization $250,000. She graduated with a J.D. from Fordham University and holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from the University of Albany; she speaks English and Mandarin.
Phone: (518) 555‑2567
Email: rjmorgan@mbclegal.com
10. Thomas “Tom” A. Whitfield
Whitfield is the principal of Whitfield Law, where he handles professional licensing, banking regulator hearings, and securities‑agency enforcement. In 2024 he secured an injunction protecting a fintech startup from an overreaching regulatory subpoena. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.S. in Finance from SUNY‑Binghamton; he is fluent in English and Russian.
Phone: (518) 555‑2890
Email: twhitfield@whitfieldlaw.com
11. Maya N. Al‑Hussein
Al‑Hussein heads the administrative law unit at Al‑Hussein & Partners, representing healthcare providers, education entities, and transportation firms in agency proceedings. Her 2025 appellate win limited the Department of Education’s authority to impose retroactive accreditation fees. She holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and an M.S. in Health Administration from Albany Medical College; she is proficient in English and Arabic.
Phone: (518) 555‑3214
Email: maya.alhussein@ahpartners.com
12. Victor L. Donovan
Donovan is a partner at Donovan, Clark & Associates, focusing on municipal code enforcement, public‑utility rate cases, and state‑agency compliance audits. He led a 2024 multi‑county effort that forced the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt clearer guidance on storm‑water permits. He earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School and a B.A. in History from SUNY‑Plattsburgh; he speaks English and Polish.
Phone: (518) 555‑3547
Email: vdonovan@dclaw.com
13. Natalie S. Greene
Greene runs the administrative practice at Greene Law Offices, specializing in tax‑agency disputes, employment‑law board hearings, and regulatory investigations. Her 2025 victory before the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate resulted in a precedent that caps audit penalties for small businesses. She holds a J.D. from Albany Law School and a Master’s in Taxation from NYU; she is fluent in English and Japanese.
Phone: (518) 555‑3870
Email: ngreene@greenelaw.com