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Thomas F. Knab

Retired Attorney

About Tom

Determination, discipline, the ability to go the distance—Tom Knab demonstrates these attributes in his ongoing quest to climb the 46 High Peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. For over 30 years, he also brought them to the practice of law.

Tom has experience negotiating and litigating contracts; construction and real estate disputes; drafting and litigating restrictive covenants and employment agreements; representing founders, owners and executives in partnership, LLC and corporate disputes; constitutional challenges to governmental actions; and defense of legal malpractice claims. He has practiced in the New York State and Federal Courts, handling jury and non-jury trials, appeals, arbitrations and mediations.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • New York State Bar Association, former member
  • Erie County Bar Association, former member
  • Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., former Board member
  • Preservation Buffalo Niagara, past chair, former Board of Trustees member

Awards & Recognitions

  • 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Construction, Buffalo, NY
  • 2021-2027 editions of Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation, Litigation–Construction, Litigation–Insurance, Litigation-Labor and Employment, Buffalo, NY
  • 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation–Construction, Buffalo, NY
  • 2022 and 2023 Rochester Business Journal Power 50 in Law Recipient
  • 2021, 2022, & 2023 Daily Record’s Power 20 in Litigation Recipient
  • 2008-2026 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Honoree
  • Recognition in the 2021 edition of the Best Lawyers® Employment Law issue
  • 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal’s “Legal Elite of Western NY” 

Education

  • University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D.
  • State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, B.A.

Admissions

  • New York State
  • Maryland
  • ​US District Court – Western District of New York
  • ​US Court Appeals for the Second Circuit
“I have worked with the Underberg & Kessler staff on many different issues and I have found the entire staff, including the lawyers, paralegals, assistants and administrative team to be knowledgeable, responsive and pleasant to work with. They will remain my go to when I require legal services.”
A.A., Business & Corporate client

News & Insights

Tom's Recent Articles