https://www.albanycountybar.org/

Board of Directors

Albany County Bar Association Officers (2026)

Lorraine R. Silverman | President
Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC

Lorraine R. Silverman is a Partner at Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC, a boutique law firm that’s redefining what it means to practice family and matrimonial law in the modern era. Known for her strategic litigation skills, trauma-informed client care, and unapologetically bold advocacy style, Ms. Silverman focuses her practice exclusively on divorce and family law—with a sharp eye on the nuances that most people miss.

She represents individuals in high-stakes and high-conflict matters involving divorce, child custody and parenting time, complex asset division (think cryptocurrency, RSUs, and closely held businesses), spousal support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and family offense proceedings. She has extensive experience in both Family and Supreme Court, and also serves as an Attorney for Children in contested custody matters.

Selected as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine (2016–present), Ms. Silverman is known for her ability to translate emotionally complex cases into clear, persuasive courtroom advocacy. Her work often bridges the gap between legal procedure and lived experience—especially in cases involving emotional abuse, power imbalances, or litigation harassment.

She was appointed by the Governor of the State of New York to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations, where she co-authored the Commission’s Final Report in 2021, helping shape statewide policy and reform. Ms. Silverman is a longtime member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Children and the Law, serving as Chair from 2019 to 2024, and Co-Chair through 2025. She currently serves on the New York State Bar Association’s Committee to Review Judicial Nominations, the Family Law Section, and the Family Law Section’s Committee on Domestic Violence, and was elected President of the Albany County Bar Association (January 2026), where she also contributes to the CLE Committee and Racial Justice Committee.

Ms. Silverman graduated cum laude from Ithaca College, where she discovered that her strength wasn’t just in argument — it was in knowing when to listen. She earned her J.D. from Albany Law School, with a concentration in family and elder law, and received the Martin H. Belsky Graduation Prize for Commitment to Public Interest.

Benjamin S. Clark | President-Elect (2027)
U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of New York

Benjamin S. Clark is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. He previously served as Special Counsel to the New York State Office of the Attorney General's Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Financial Crimes Unit at the Albany County District Attorney's Office. Ben has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018 and is a past chair of the CLE Committee. He has taught undergraduate criminal justice coursework, is a frequent faculty member for the New York State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Trial Academy, and provides lectures and CLEs on topics related to criminal prosecution, evidence, and trial skills. Ben received his B.A. in economics from Wesleyan University and his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. He began his legal career as a litigation associate at a large law firm in Boston.

John F. Harwick | Vice President
Hacker Murphy LLP

John is Managing Partner with Hacker Murphy LLP. He has been practicing law in upstate New York since 1995.

John prides himself in going the extra mile for his clients. As an experienced trial court litigator, he understands that the outcome of a case largely depends on the attorney’s preparation, knowledge of the law, and attention to detail.

His zealous advocacy skills and dedication to his clients have been recognized by bench and bar in both State and Federal Courts. In 2012 he received the highest rating of “AV” for ethics and legal ability from the peer review legal publication Martindale Hubbell. Since 2018, John has received the distinction of being named one of the Top 25 lawyers in the Hudson Valley by Super Lawyers Magazine. He has a 10.0 rating on “AVVO” thanks to reviews by satisfied clients. John is a former President of the Capital District Trial Lawyers’ Association. He is also active in the Schenectady County Bar Association.

John prides himself in obtaining the best possible results for his clients taking into consideration the law and facts of each case. John strives to educate his clients regarding the legal process and likely outcomes in their cases. He is dedicated to answering his clients’ questions in a timely manner and keeping the lines of communication open during their legal proceedings.

John currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Association of Northeastern New York, an organization his mother helped to found over 40 years ago.

Ryan E. Manley | Treasurer
Conway, Donovan & Manley PLLC

Ryan Manley is a partner at Conway, Donovan & Manley PLLC. His practice focuses on defending the rights of the accused and those suffering from physical or business related injuries. Ryan has tried and argued cases in New York State Trial and Appellate Courts, as well as New York Federal Courts including the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a former Assistant District Attorney and State Assistant Attorney General, Ryan utilizes his prior experience and success litigating on behalf of the government to zealously advocate for his clients in civil and criminal matters throughout the State of New York.

As a felony prosecutor, he tried numerous cases to verdict while assigned to the Special Victims Unit. Ryan has also conducted hearings and trials in local courts throughout the region.

As an Assistant Attorney General, Ryan was assigned to the Litigation Bureau where he represented a state agency and its employees in all stages of civil litigation including investigations, motion practice, witness preparation, depositions and trials.

Ryan’s experience in both the private and public sectors allows him to evaluate your case from multiple angles so that he can assist you in crafting creative solutions for your complex legal challenges.

Brenda T. Osorio | Secretary
Broadview Federal Credit Union

Brenda T. Osorio serves as the Director of Associate Counsel for Broadview Federal Credit Union. Previously she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigations Office (LEMIO) at the New York State Office of the Attorney General, where she investigated alleged constitutional violations involving law enforcement agencies and other state actors. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office in 2020, Ms. Osorio served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting a broad range of criminal cases, and practiced in private litigation with Barclay Damon LLP, focusing on health care and commercial litigation.

Ms. Osorio earned her Juris Doctor from Albany Law School, graduating magna cum laude. During law school, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Government Law Review, President of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA), and was selected for both the Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program and the Pro Bono Scholars Program.

She is actively involved in community and bar leadership, serving on the boards of the Capital District Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Capital District Latinos, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Ms. Osorio has been recognized in City & State New York 40 Under 40 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, among other honors. She is admitted to practice in New York and Florida and is bilingual in Spanish.

Kathleen A. Barclay | Immediate Past President
O'Connor, First, P.C.

Kathleen Barclay is a partner in the law firm of O'Connor First, PC. Kathleen practices primarily in the area of medical malpractice defense. Kathleen is a highly skilled courtroom advocate and has successfully obtained defense jury verdicts for her clients at trial, as well as obtained dismissal of cases prior to trial through motions for summary judgment. Since 2015, Kathleen has been honored by Super Lawyers and included in its annual issue acknowledging outstanding Upstate New York attorneys, an honor reserved for less than 2.5% of lawyers in New York State. Kathleen is the current president of the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association. Kathleen is the past-Chair of the Judicial Qualifications Committee for the ACBA. Kathleen also serves on the New York State Bar Association Committee on the Tort System, and is on the Executive Committee of the Tort, Insurance, and Compensation Law section. Kathleen is a graduate of Boston College Law School and Union College.