Thomas F. Knab
Partner
Buffalo, NY
(716) 847-6004
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. He also brings them to the practice of law.
As an Upstate New York Super Lawyers honoree for Business Litigation and chair of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, Tom has been recognized as one of the top attorneys in the region. His work entails 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 for over 25 years, handling jury and non-jury trials, appeals, arbitrations and mediations.
Tom is an aggressive advocate for his clients’ rights and interests. He believes in delivering practical advice and cost-effective legal services, in both disputes that arise in the normal course of business and in disputes over significant monetary claims or matters critical to a client’s success. He works hard to find business solutions to those disputes, but is always prepared to take the fight into the courtroom.
PRACTICE AREAS
EDUCATION
University at Buffalo
School of Law, J.D.
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, B.A.
ADMISSIONS
New York State
US District Courts - Western District of NY
US Court Appeals for the Second Circuit
Maryland
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Always a champion for the under-represented, Tom is the past chair of the Board of Trustees of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and is a former board member and past president of Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., which provides pro bono services to people of low income and with disabilities. Tom is a member of the New York State and Erie County Bar Associations.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Tom has been recognized in the 2021-2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Construction, Litigation-Insurance, and Litigation-Labor & Employment. Tom was honored as the 2024 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation–Construction in Buffalo, NY. He has also been selected as an Upstate New York Super Lawyers honoree from 2008-2024.
In 2022 and 2023, Tom was recognized by the Rochester Business Journal in the Power 50 in Law list. He has also been recognized in The Daily Record in their Power 20 in Litigation list for 2021, 2022, and 2023.
He was included in the 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013 and 2012 Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal’s “Legal Elite of Western New York”, a peer-nominated and reviewed listing of Buffalo-area attorneys.