(716) 853-6001
LAURA LINNEBALL, MANAGING PARTNER
Born Buffalo, New York; admitted to bar, 1992, New York; 1997, U.S. District Court, Western and Northern Districts of New York; 2003, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; and 2006, U.S. Supreme Court.
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Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Constitutional and First Amendment Law. Areas of Emphasis: Utilities and Product Liability; Health Care Law.
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Education:
Indiana University School of Law (J.D., cum laude and Dean's Honors, 1991)
State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. in Mathematics, cum laude, 1988)
Harvard University - Summer Program, 1983
Member:
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Bar Association of Erie County (Member, Committees on: Negligence and Health Care Law)
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New York State Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Insurance, Compensation and Negligence and Health Law)
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American Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Negligence and Health Law)NDNY Federal Court ar Association
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Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (Co-Chair Long Range Planning Committee 2015 to 2017; President, Western New York Chapter, 2013; State Director, 2011 to 2012; Legislative Committee, 2011 to 2013; Co-Chair Health Law Committee, 2007 to 2011)​​​​
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Selected to Super Lawyers 2021-2023
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2023 Women of Influence Award
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2023 Legal Excellence Award - "Leaders in Law"
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Professional Biography:
An attorney since 1992, Ms. Linneball practiced law at Paladino, Cavan & Quinlivan (1992-1996), at Falk & Siemer, LLP (1996-2000), where she became a partner in 2000, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2016-2019) as privacy and compliance counsel, and at Wilder & Linneball, LLP (2000-2016, 2019- present), where she is Managing Partner. During her career, Ms. Linneball has appeared as counsel in complex civil, labor, and health care litigation. Through this experience, she has been able to counsel clients in a variety of substantive legal issues.
Ms. Linneball's primary litigation experience has been in the representation of utilities, one call centers, product manufacturers, hospitals, and health insurance companies. These cases involved wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, ERISA, HIPAA, HITECH, claims for denial of benefits, product liability, and coverage disputes. During her career, Ms. Linneball has represented all of the major gas and electric utilities in New York State, nationally known hospitals such as Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and major health insurance companies such as BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and Community Blue, in addition to many closely held businesses.
She also has experience in challenging the conduct of state and local governments in state and federal court. These cases involve contesting the denial of permits and licenses, as well as violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
Ms. Linneball's cases at the appellate level have been noteworthy. Some of her published cases include Jericho Water District v. One Call Users Council, Inc., 10 N.Y.3d 385, 858 N.Y.S.2d 84 (2008) (holding that water district must contribute its equitable share of cost of operating one call center); Dorato v. BlueCross of Western New York, 163 F.Supp.2d 203 (W.D.N.Y. 2001) (upholding health insurance company's denial of benefits under ERISA); Geraci v. National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, 255 A.D.2d 945, 680 N.Y.S.2d 776 (4th Dep't 1998) (upholding defendant's right to broad disclosure of plaintiff's medical records in personal injury suit); and Woods v. Alexander, 270 A.D.2d 850, 705 N.Y.S.2d 768 (4th Dep't 1999) (holding plaintiff has a right to discover documents regarding prior criminal activity in negligent security action). She has been a co-author of "Pleadings and Motions Directed at Their Faults," revised and republished every two years by the New York State Bar Association from 1997 through 2001. She spoke in November of 2001 and May 2007 on this topic at a New York State Bar Association seminar based on the publication.