Our Practice
Our Elder Law Attorneys
Jeffrey N. Rheinhardt
CELA*, Esq.
JRheinhardt@CNYElderlaw.com
On Avvo: Lawyer Jeffrey Rheinhardt
On Avvo: Featured Attorney Elder Law
Jeffrey Rheinhardt – Super Lawyer
Jeff has over 25 years of experience as an attorney and is the principal at Rheinhardt and Bray. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)* through the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) and is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Jeff has served as a district delegate to the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and board member of the New York Chapter of NAELA. He is a member of the New York State, Herkimer and Oneida County Bar Associations and a frequent seminar presenter, CLE presenter, and contributor to professional and local publications on issues affecting seniors and the disabled.
Christopher R. Bray
Esq.
CBray@CNYElderlaw.com
On Avvo: Lawyer Christopher Bray
On Avvo: Featured Attorney Medicaid & Medicare
When faced with how to begin his career, Chris decided to return to his hometown community and serve the families that supported him as a child. Since he began the practice of law in 2006 as an Associate Attorney with the firm’s predecessor, Radley & Rheinhardt, Chris worked hard to build the practice into the area’s premier Elder Law and Estate Planning firm. Now a Partner at Rheinhardt and Bray, P.C., Chris handles all aspects of what has become known as “Elder Law” including Crisis Medicaid & Long term Care Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianships and Estate Administration, including Estate Litigation.
Chris is a proud Past Chair of the New York State Bar Association, Elder Law & Special Needs Section. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and served on the Board of Directors for the NY Chapter. Chris is Past President of the Herkimer County Bar Association and has served as Treasurer since 2015. He is a member of the Oneida County Bar Association as well as the City of Rome Bar Association. Chris also served a five-year term as a member of the Attorney Grievance Committee for the 5th Judicial District.
Chris is a regular speaker and presenter on the topic of Elder Law throughout the Mohawk Valley and across New York State, speaking to community organizations, professional associations and fellow attorneys as a part of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program.
When not in the office, Chris can usually be found coaching one of his children, whether it be on the sideline of the soccer field or the basketball court or in the dugout at the softball field.
James S. Rizzo
Esq.
Jim joined the firm of Rheinhardt and Bray, P.C. in July 2019, where he brings his myriad legal background and continues his concentration in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Asset Protection: Wills, Irrevocable & Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home and Medicaid planning, Supplemental Needs Trusts, as well as Medicaid Applications & Fair Hearings and Guardianships. He focuses on meeting his client’s unique goals and being proactive in completing estate planning documents to bring peace of mind regarding what will happen to a person’s hard earned assets after death. His over 24 years of diverse legal experience has been dedicated to assisting and improving the quality of life for individuals in both the public and private sector.
He began his legal career in 1995 as a City attorney for Rome, NY, where he handled a wide variety of Municipal Law and quality of life issues, including being counsel to the Mayor, Common Council and Planning and Zoning Boards, handling City Code enforcement and prosecution, defending civil rights lawsuits and other litigation matters, negotiations and labor law matters with 5 unions, drafting legislation and contract and budget approvals. He was appointed Corporation Counsel for the City of Rome by then Mayor Joseph A. Griffo in 2002, and served in that capacity under Mayors John J. Mazzaferro and James F. Brown through June 2006. Prior to this appointment, he held the positions of First Assistant Rome Corporation Counsel (1996 – 2002), Assistant Corporation Counsel (1996), and Law Clerk (while a law student 1993-1995).
He entered into private practice in 2006 with the Utica, NY law firm of Saunders Kahler, LLP where he was a Partner 2008-2013 and Of Counsel in 2014, working in the areas of Litigation, Contracts, Wills, Higher Education law, Municipal law, Debtor-Creditor law, Employment law, Family law appellate matters, Commercial Development issues and Real Estate matters. He then joined the Utica, NY law firm of Hilton Estate & Elder Law, LLC, (2015 – June 2019), concentrating in all aspects of Elder Law and Estate Planning.
Jim was born in Rome, NY, graduated from Rome Free Academy and remains a lifelong resident of Rome with his three children: Julia, Erika & Alex. He is a ten-time participant in Utica’s Boilermaker 15k Road Race, coached AYSO Youth Soccer Town of Lee (2007-2014), was awarded Mohawk Valley’s “40 Under 40” award in 2004, and contributes and participates in various local charities and events. Have A Question? Ready To Get Started?
Our Staff
Christine Leskovar-Famulare
Sr. Medicaid Coordinator/Paralegal
