SMART. PRACTICAL. ADVISORS.

At Weaver Mancuso Brightman PLLC, we strive to create a positive and comfortable environment in which we can identify and address the simplest to most complex legal concerns with smart, practical advice for real people. Understanding every legal concern matters to the person facing it, we aim to know our clients and understand their needs to find the best solution given the circumstances. Here, big-firm experience meets small-firm setting, offering the opportunity to develop positive and productive legal relationships in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, land use and zoning, and civil and appellate litigation.

Practice Areas

PURCHASES/SALES/ LEASING

Purchases, sales, and/or leasing of commercial and residential real estate, including new construction, development and/or redevelopment of real property.

REAL ESTATE CIVIL AND APPELLATE COURT LITIGATION

Title litigation, property boundary disputes, land use and zoning litigation, including Article 78 proceedings, and appellate litigation in New York State Appellate Divisions and Court of Appeals.

LAND USE/ZONING

Municipal law, zoning and planning board applications and land use matters, State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

LENDING/REO

Residential and commercial lending, including foreclosures and REO sales and title.

Our Team

Syracuse Office / [email protected] / P: 315.303.3408 / F. 315.303.3409

Lisa (Maffei) Weaver is a native of Baldwinsville, New York. After graduating from Princeton University, she spent several years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast working in advertising and marketing for the casino/hospitality industry before attending law school at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Upon graduating from Tulane, she began her legal career with Balch & Bingham, LP in Gulfport, MS, working on a variety of regional real estate and corporate transactional and litigation matters. Upon her return to Central New York in 2007, she spent ten years as an attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC in Syracuse, NY, focusing on corporate, and residential and commercial real estate matters of all degrees of complexity, before opening her own practice. Ms. Weaver currently focuses on all facets of residential and commercial real estate transactions, further counseling clients in matters involving civil and real estate litigation.

Ms. Weaver resides in Baldwinsville with her family (daughter – Gianna, and son – Rocco) and is an active member of the community. She served as the President of the Baldwinsville Youth Soccer Association, a not-for-profit volunteer organization offering over 550 families a year a positive environment in which to learn and love soccer. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and finds solace in a good run.

HONORS

  • New York Super Lawyers 2016®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate
  • New York Super Lawyers 2015®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate
  • New York Super Lawyers 2014®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate
  • Leadership Greater Syracuse Class of 2016

ASSOCIATIONS

  • New York State Bar Association,
  • Onondaga County Bar Association – Past CLE Committee Chair
  • New York State Commercial Association of Realtors
  • The Mississippi Bar

EDUCATION

  • Tulane University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2006),
  • Princeton University (B.A., 1998)
Rochester Office / [email protected]P: 585.301.4777 / F: 585.301.4990
 

John A. Mancuso received his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College and law degree from Syracuse University College of Law. After graduation, Mr. Mancuso spent ten years as an associate and partner of Harris Beach PLLC in Rochester, New York, where, for the past several years, he led the Land Use and Zoning practice at the firm. Mr. Mancuso focuses his practice on municipal law, land use and zoning, including reviews undertaken pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and real estate and appellate litigation. Notably, Mr. Mancuso acted as land use and zoning counsel for del Lago Resort & Casino, a $425 million casino development in Tyre, New York. Mr. Mancuso also regularly counsels clients with respect to property, title and boundary disputes, lakefront boundary and access issues, and landlord/tenant disputes. Mr. Mancuso is special litigation and land use counsel to several municipalities in New York State and previously served as attorney for the Town of Rush in Monroe County.

While in law school, Mr. Mancuso served as an extern for the Honorable David G. Larimer, United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. Mr. Mancuso also previously served as a lecturer of Real Estate Law at Ithaca College. Mr. Mancuso resides in Rochester, New York with his family (wife – Katie , son – Anthony , and daughter – Adelyn).            

HONORS

  • New York Super Lawyers 2014-2019®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Land Use/Zoning, Civil Litigation: Defense, and Real Estate: Business
  • Co-Author, New York Appellate Practice (published by LexisNexis)

ADMISSIONS

  • New York State
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Northern District
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Western District
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit,
  • U.S. Supreme Court

EDUCATION

  • Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2009),
  • Ithaca College (B.S., cum laude, 2004)
Syracuse Office / [email protected]P: 315.303.3408 / F. 315.303.3409
 

Kristy M. Brightman is a lifelong Central New York resident. She received her undergraduate degrees in biology and economics from Syracuse University and went on to attend Syracuse University College of Law. After graduating from SUCOL, Ms. Brightman went on to work for Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC in Syracuse, New York focusing on corporate law and real estate law. In February 2017, Ms. Brightman took a hiatus from practicing law to manage the political campaign for Ben Walsh – the first independent mayor of Syracuse – where she led all operational and legal aspects of the campaign. After serving as the Executive Director of the Walsh Transition Team, Ms. Brightman returned to the practice of law, where she focuses on residential and commercial real estate law. Ms. Brightman also practices in the area of land use, zoning and municipal law, and served as a member of the City of Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals.

Ms. Brightman resides in Cicero and, in her spare time, enjoys cinema and playing with her Australian Labradoodles, Syra and Moose.

HONORS

  • New York Super Lawyers 2019®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate
  • New York Super Lawyers 2017®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate
  • New York Super Lawyers 2016®, Upstate New York Rising Star, Real Estate

ADMISSIONS

  • New York State

ASSOCIATIONS

  • New York State Bar Association
  • Onondaga County Bar Association

EDUCATION

  • Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2009)
  • Syracuse University (B.A. and B.S., 2005)

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Landmark Theatre – Secretary
  • Onondaga Historical Association – Board Member
Rochester Office / [email protected]P: 585.301.4777 / F: 585.301.4990
 

Lauren Baron received her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami (FL) and law degree from Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University (formerly known as Pace Law School). Ms. Baron spent several years as an attorney of Harris Beach PLLC in Rochester, New York, where she focused her practice on municipal law, land use and zoning, and litigation.  For the past year, Ms. Baron served as a Municipal Attorney for the City of Rochester, where she was responsible for contract drafting and review, real estate transactions, and drafting legislation.    

While in law school, Ms. Baron served as an intern for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Ms. Baron resides in Rochester, New York, and in her spare time she enjoys practicing yoga and adding new indoor plants to her ever growing collection. 

ADMISSIONS

  • New York State

 EDUCATION

  • Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University (J.D., 2015)
  • University of Miami (B.A., 2012)

 ASSOCIATIONS 

  • Monroe County Bar Association – Young Lawyers Section Board Member (2019-20) 

Rochester Office / [email protected] / P: 585.301.4777 / F: 585.301.4990

Erin concentrates her practice on business and commercial litigation.

Erin practices in State and Federal Court, and has represented clients in litigation arising from large-scale corporate transactions, commercial and residential real estate and loan agreements, complex contractual and shareholder disputes, employment disputes, land-use matters, and bankruptcy issues. Erin earned her J.D. degree, with high honors, from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and her M.A. and B.A. degrees in English Literature from St. Bonaventure University. Erin was a litigator at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in Manhattan before moving to Rochester, where she practiced with Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP from 2019-2023, when she joined Weaver Mancuso Brightman PLLC.

Erin is an active participant in the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA) and Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), and is currently serving on the MCBA Board of Trustees as well as GRAWA’s Board of Directors. Since relocating to Rochester in 2018, Erin has chaired and actively served on several bar association committees, including the MCBA’s Litigation Council and President’s Commission on Anti-Racism, GRAWA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Judicial Evaluation Committee, and the Lawyers’ Coalition for Racial and Social Justice, a joint coalition of the MCBA, GRAWA, and Rochester Black Bar Association. Erin devotes substantial time to community engagement on the issues of social justice, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Empire Justice Center. Erin has also been recognized for her commitment to pro bono representation, and is regularly named to the Pro Bono Honor Roll of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

HONORS

  • 2023 recipient of the William E. McKnight Volunteer Service Award from JustCause
  • 2022 recipient of the President’s Award from the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys
  • 2021 recipient of the Legal Excellence Award from the Rochester Business Journal and The Daily Record
  • 2021 designation as “One to Watch” in Commercial Litigation by “The Best Lawyers in America
  • 2018 Union Settlement Law Firm Partner Honoree
  • 2013 & 2014 recipient of the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society
  • Consistently recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine between 2015 and 2023
Rochester Office /  [email protected]P: 585.391.8040 / F:585.301.4990
 

Lucrecia brings extensive immigration experience to Weaver Mancuso Brightman. She has represented individuals, companies, universities and medical institutions on all aspects of complex and ever-changing employment-based and family-based immigration and I-9 compliance.  She assists students, medical professionals, executives, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, persons of extraordinary ability and immigrant investors in a wide range of immigration matters, including the following: Permanent Residence petitions for Multinational Managers, Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers, and National Interest Waivers; Permanent Residence petitions based on standard processing labor certifications and special handling labor certifications for university professors; L-1 petitions; E visas; H-1B petitions; O-1 visas, TN applications; J-1 waivers; family-based petitions for permanent residence; and Naturalization, to name a few. 

In addition to her practice, Lucrecia is very involved in the community, serving on the American Immigration Lawyers Association national Client Resources Committee and the Lollypop Farm Advocacy Committee.

While she grew up and began her legal career in New York City, she later moved to Upstate New York to be closer to her husband’s family. When Lucrecia is not practicing law or being a stellar mom to two kids and two dogs, she enjoys running and most recently ran the Buffalo Half Marathon.

EDUCATION

  • Juris Doctor, Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, NY, 2007
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, 2003

AFFILIATIONS

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) – Client Resources Committee, Former Chair of the Upstate New York Chapter
  • Admitted to practice in New York

Syracuse Office / [email protected] / P: 315-303-3408 / F: 315-303-3409

Shannon focuses her practice on municipal and governmental liability, professional liability, general liability, and matters involving employment and labor. She defends clients in a range of matters in both federal and state court, and have taken nearly 10 trials to verdict in the Northern District of New York on Section 1983 civil rights matters and Title VII employment discrimination cases. I also have significant appellate experience, and have submitted several briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Before entering private practice, Shannon served for several years as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Syracuse, where she represented the city and its officials in a wide variety of litigation and in administrative proceedings before New York State agencies such as the Department of Environmental Conservation. Shannon also provided advice and recommendations to the City of Syracuse Police Department on its policies and procedures related to officer training and the use of force, including tasers, and drafted legal opinions on various City of Syracuse departments, including the mayor’s office.

Shannon resides in the City of Syracuse with her wife and two dogs. She enjoys hiking and mountain biking in her spare time.

ADMISSIONS

  • New York State
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Northern District
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Western District
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Eastern District
  • U.S. District Court, New York – Southern District
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

EDUCATION

  • Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 2010)
  • University of Buffalo (B.A., 2001)
Rochester Office /  [email protected]P: 585.301.4777 / F. 585.301.4990
 

Anna M. Patton received her undergraduate degree from Keuka College and law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law. Ms. Patton spent several years as an attorney of Harris Beach PLLC in Rochester, New York, where she focused her practice on business and commercial litigation.  Ms. Patton has experience representing real estate developers, financial institutions, business, and individuals on a wide range of litigation matters.

While in undergrad, Ms. Patton completed internships in the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and Wayne County Public Defender’s Office.  Ms. Patton was also a four-year member of the Keuka College lacrosse team.  Ms. Patton currently resides in Newark, New York.

ADMISSIONS

  • New York State

 EDUCATION

  • Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 2018)
  • Keuka College (B.A., magna cum laude, 2015)

Syracuse Office /  [email protected] / P: 315.303.3408 / F. 315.303.3409

Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Leah worked for a law firm in the area handling litigation matters. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Communications from Alfred University in 2017 and earned her Paralegal Certification from Bryant and Stratton College in 2019. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her soon to be husband Andy and their German Short Haired Pointer Dixie.

Syracuse Office /  [email protected]P: 315.303.3408 / F. 315.303.3409
Marli is a paralegal in the Syracuse office.  She is an integral part of the office assisting the attorneys and clients in connection with commercial and residential real estate matters. Marli lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two mischievous cats and enjoys camping and yoga in her spare time.

Locations

SYRACUSE OFFICE

ROCHESTER OFFICE

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