O’Connell & Aronowitz Attorneys to Speak on Landmark “Buffalo Billion” Prosecution at Albany Law School

On April 21, 2026, O’Connell & Aronowitz, Attorneys at Law, is proud to share that two of its attorneys — Stephen Coffey, Esq., and Pamela Nichols, Esq. — will serve as featured speakers at an event hosted by the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association (NDNY-FCBA). The panel discussion, titled “One Battle After Another: Lessons Learned From the ‘Buffalo Billion’ Prosecution,” will take place at Albany Law School in Albany, New York, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

About the Event

Stephen Coffey, Esq., Pamela Nichols, Esq., and co-counsel Scott Iseman represented a defendant in two closely watched federal cases: U.S. v. Percoco et al. and United States v. Ciminelli. Together, these matters formed the core of what became known as the “Buffalo Billion” prosecution — a decade-long legal saga arising from a multi-billion dollar state economic development initiative in New York.

The cases involved two hard-fought trials in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and ultimately yielded two unanimous, landmark rulings by the United States Supreme Court. The decisions have had lasting significance for how public corruption is defined and prosecuted across the country.

The April 21 panel discussion will offer attendees a candid, insider’s perspective on this extraordinary legal saga — from trial strategy and courtroom dynamics to the arguments that persuaded the nation’s highest court.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Albany Law School, Room 200 | 80 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208

Admission: Free and open to students and the public. RSVP is required.

RSVP: Email StudentAffairs@albanylaw.edu with subject line: April 21 FCBA Event

About the Attorneys

Stephen Coffey, Esq. is a founding member of O’Connell & Aronowitz and one of the most experienced trial attorneys in the Capital Region. His practice encompasses complex civil and criminal litigation, and he has represented clients in matters before state and federal courts throughout New York. 

Pamela Nichols, Esq. is a member of O’Connell & Aronowitz whose practice includes civil and white-collar criminal defense matters in both state and federal court. 

Why This Case Matters

The “Buffalo Billion” prosecution drew national attention for its scale, its political dimensions, and its eventual resolution before the United States Supreme Court. The Court’s unanimous rulings in both related cases narrowed the scope of federal public corruption law in ways that continue to shape prosecutorial decisions and defense strategies nationwide.

For the legal community in Albany and across New York State, this event represents a rare opportunity to hear directly from the attorneys who were in the courtroom throughout this decade-long process — from the first pretrial motion to the final argument before the Supreme Court.

Presented by the NDNY Federal Court Bar Association

This event is organized by the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, an organization dedicated to fostering excellence in federal practice and promoting the administration of justice in the Northern District of New York. The NDNY-FCBA regularly hosts educational programming, CLE events, and community discussions that serve attorneys, law students, and members of the public throughout the region.

O’Connell & Aronowitz, Attorneys at Law

With more than 100 years of service to clients across New York State, O’Connell & Aronowitz offers depth of knowledge and a commitment to results in litigation, business law, real estate, family law, and beyond. Our attorneys serve clients from offices in Latham and Saratoga Springs.

To learn more, fill out our contact form or call (518) 462-5601.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. The content of this article contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address your specific situation. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this article without seeking legal or other professional advice. O’Connell & Aronowitz, Attorneys at Law, expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this article.