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Biographies

John J. Reilly, Esq.

John J. Reilly, a graduate of Siena College, and a graduate of Albany Law School in May of 1987, was appointed to the position of Corporation Counsel of the City of Albany in November of 2004. Prior to accepting this appointment, Mr. Reilly had served the residents of the City of Albany by acting as a Support Magistrate for approximately seven years in the Albany County Family Court. In addition, Mr. Reilly served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office for over ten years, and worked in the Albany County Assistant Public Defender’s Office for approximately three years.

As the Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany, Mr. Reilly is primarily responsible for overseeing the workings of the office, and for supervising the attorneys and their legal work. He is also responsible for advising the Mayor, and other city officials, on the myriad of legal issues that affect the City of Albany. Mr. Reilly handles a vast array of civil litigation, and the legal problems that arise therein.

Mr. Reilly continues to teach various courses at Siena College as an adjunct professor, and remains active by volunteering as a coach for basketball and little league, as well as being on the Board of Directors for Hospitality House.

Mr. Reilly is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York and of Massachusetts, and is an active member of the New York Bar Association.

Tara B. Wells, Esq.

Tara B. Wells, a graduate from Siena College, and a graduate of Albany Law School in May of 2000, joined the Corporation Counsel’s office in July of 2000. Ms. Wells was promoted to Deputy Corporation Counsel in November of 2004. Ms. Wells currently serves on the Executive Board of the Young Lawyers Section of the New York Bar Association. Prior to joining the Albany Corporation Counsel, Ms. Wells worked for the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

Ms. Wells is primarily responsible for handling issues relating to New York State Civil Service Law, including labor contract grievances, disciplinary proceedings, pre-hearing negotiations, disciplinary hearings, and arbitration. Ms. Wells also prosecutes violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and handles civil litigation brought against the City of Albany. Ms. Wells also represents the City of Albany in actions alleging violations of the Human Rights Law, Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ms. Wells is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. She is also an active member of the New York State Bar Association.

Patrick K. Jordan, Esq.

Patrick K. Jordan joined the Corporation Counsel’s office in April of 2003. Mr. Jordan primarily handles issues relating to real property, including, property conveyances, taxation and assessment, telecommunication, environmental concerns and all land-use agreements, as well as the appellate work in those areas. He also handles matters dealing with the Office of Special Events and Albany Traffic Court. Additionally, Mr. Jordan is counsel to the Albany Common Council as well as the Albany Citizens’ Police Review Board.

Before coming to work for the City, Mr. Jordan worked for the Albany law firm of Read & Laniado, LLP, handling legal matters related to the environmental regulation of power plants. In 2002, Mr. Jordan received his juris doctorate from Albany Law School, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Science and Technology, as well as being a representative of the Student Bar Association and the president of the Celtic Law Society. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Alumni Association of Albany Law School. Mr. Jordan is a 1998 graduate of Siena College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Mr. Jordan is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Jeffery V. Jamison, Esq.

Jeffery V. Jamison joined the Corporation counsel in December of 2005. Mr. Jamison handles various issues for the City of Albany and the Corporation Counsel Office including: civil litigation, Article 78 Proceedings, appeals, land use matters, notice of claims and issues relating to the Albany Police Department.

Mr. Jamison is a graduate of the University at Albany magna cum laude. Mr. Jamison received his Juris Doctor Degree from Albany Law School. While attending law school, Mr. Jamison served as Class President and Executive President for the Student Bar Association. In addition, Mr. Jamison clerked for New York State Supreme Court Justice Louis C. Benza, as well as the law firm of Powers & Santola.

Mr. Jamison is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association.

Michelina Capozzolo Wojton, Esq.

Michelina is a graduate of the State University of Geneseo, and a graduate of Albany Law School in May of 2002.  Ms. Wojton joined the Corporation Counsel’s office in May of 2006. At Albany Law School, Ms. Wojton was a member of the Trial Team and Vice President of the Italian-American Law Society. Prior to joining the Albany Corporation Counsel, Ms. Wojton worked as a Prosecutor for the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office.

Ms. Wojton is primarily responsible for preparing Requests for Proposals on behalf of the City, as well as drafting and negotiating contracts, licenses, leases, permits, deeds, and easements. Ms. Wojton also handles issues relating to Special Events and assists with traffic and parking matters.  Ms. Wojton is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York.

Bradford D. Burns, Esq.

Bradford D. Burns is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, May 1998, and Hofstra University School of Law, May 2001.  Mr. Burns is admitted to practice in the State of New York.  His duties with the Corporation Counsel include civil litigation, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), water bill complaint board, MS4, contracts and labor law matters. 

While attending Hofstra University School of Law, Mr. Burns was a legal intern for the New York City Department of Transportation in their Employee Relations Office. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Burns worked as in-house counsel for Liberty Mutual, AutoOne Insurance Company and American Transit Insurance Company, where he spent a majority of his time handling civil litigation matters relating to insurance defense.    

Mr. Burns is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Andrew H. Wood, Esq.

Andrew H. Wood is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Albany Law School, May 2005, and is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the United States Federal District Court, Northern District of New York.  His duties with the Corporation Counsel include civil litigation, handling allegations involving police liability, as well as contracts and labor law matters. 
While attending Albany Law School, Mr. Wood clerked for New York State Supreme Court Justice Bernard J. Malone, Jr., and worked in the commercial litigation department of a local law office. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Wood worked as an associate attorney at Rehfuss, Liguori & Associates, P.C., where he spent a majority of his time handling civil and commercial litigation matters.    

Mr. Wood is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association.

William G. Kelly, Jr., Esq.

William Kelly is a 1990 graduate of Marist College and a 2003 graduate of Albany Law School.  Mr. Kelly joined the Corporation Counsel’s Office in February of 2008 after serving as a Prosecutor for the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office beginning in January of 2004.  

Mr. Kelly assists in the prosecution of traffic and parking citations issued by the Albany Police Department, as well as those by the New York State Troopers.  His duties and responsibilities further include the prosecution of code violations, violations of the vicious dog statute and other related violations, as well as civil litigation and collection matters.    

Mr. Kelly is admitted to practice law before all state and local courts of New York, as well as before the United State District Court for the Northern District of New York, and is an active member of the New York State Bar Association.