The Cerio Law Office is a full-service Syracuse law firm established in 1998 by Thomas J. Cerio, Esq. Our commitment is to provide you with professional, personalized and focused legal assistance in your serious time of need. Our Syracuse attorneys are dedicated to providing superior legal services, with a level of experience and professionalism that will get you the results that you are entitled to.
At Cerio Law Offices the client comes first and we understand that our clients come to us in a time of crisis. The lawyers at Cerio Law Offices are always easily accessible and approachable to our clients, so they never feel neglected and are always informed about their case. Whether it is an auto accident, divorce problems, real estate planning, medical malpractice, or a business dispute - our Syracuse lawyers are prepared to help. When you need legal assistance and representation, call the Cerio Law Offices to discuss the facts of your case.
At the Cerio Law Offices, we understand that your divorce case is unique. Our attorneys will negotiate the best plan for you, and we will focus on compromising until both parties can reach an agreement.
Spousal Support
Legal Separation
If you are facing or considering a divorce or legal separation, contact the divorce lawyers at the Cerio Law Offices. Our goal is to keep you well-informed throughout the process of a divorce. Many issues arise that can be a source for conflict, and Tom Cerio and the divorce attorneys at Cerio Law Offices will ensure you are given the information you need to make many difficult decisions.
We are dedicated to defending our clients when they are faced with the loss of their freedom, a possible criminal record, or an accumulation of points on their drivers’ licenses. You can expect the best defense, because our criminal defense lawyers are committed to protecting your rights.
DUI/DWI
Don’t let a DWI ruin your life. Tom Cerio and the DWI lawyers are committed to helping you make the right decisions, even if you’ve already made wrong ones.
Wrongful Death
Traffic Violations
At the Cerio Law Offices, our traffic violations attorneys will work to get your traffic offences reduced or dismissed whenever possible. Our goal is to protect your freedoms and keep your driver’s license.
Misdemeanors
Drug Crimes
Being charged with a crime is a serious matter. Whether it is a violent crime, drug crime, alcohol crime, or sexual offense, the criminal attorneys at the Cerio Law Offices are here for you. Furthermore, if you are unfairly accused, over-charged, or have just gotten yourself into a bad situation, Tom Cerio and the attorneys at Cerio Law Offices will be there for you from start to finish.
Homicide
Shaun Chase graduated from the Syracuse University School of Law. He has worked for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, starting as an Assistant District Attorney and working his way up to Chief Assistant District Attorney. Shaun was also appointed a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York in 2017. He has personally prosecuted and supervised the entire range of criminal cases including A-1 Felony narcotics cases, firearms and dangerous weapons cases up to and including homicide cases. He has championed over 50 homicide cases.
Whether you are interested in starting a business or reviewing current business practices, the attorneys at Cerio Law Offices have the knowledge and resources required to assist you. We work closely with small and medium-sized businesses in relation to business formation, business and corporate tax issues, and business contracts. Additionally, we review franchise agreements and mergers and acquisitions, compliance with antitrust regulations, contractual obligations, and intellectual property rights. Our attorneys also assist business clients in litigation such as breach of contract, accounts receivable, and unfair business practices.
Business Formation
Business Disputes
Tom started his career in public service as a law clerk in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office and then as an Assistant District Attorney. After serving as a criminal prosecutor, Tom entered the private practice of law in 1998 serving his private clients as well as continuing his commitment to public service as an Onondaga County Assistant County Attorney. Tom previously served as Director of Operations for Project Responsibility, an anti-underage alcohol consumption organization in Onondaga County. He taught business law as an associate professor at Cazenovia College and has been an assistant lecturer for the NYS Magistrates Association.
Business Transactions
Limited Liability Companies
At Cerio Law Offices, the business law attorneys counsel and represent clients in the formation of business entities including S-corporations, C-corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, developing real estate, or investing in a commercial real estateventure, it is a significant investment. At the Cerio Law offices, we ensure that you are protected from both legal and financial liability. By working directly with real estate developers, investors, zoning committees, condominium boards, and home owners, we are able to acquire all the necessary paperwork, documentation, financing, title and deed records, and insurance requirements. Our real estate lawyers represent our clients in disputes that occur in the event of the sale of a home. With problems like asbestos and water leakage, our clients know that they are protected through litigation and our preparedness to respond.
Premises Liability
Mike received a B.A. in Government Studies from St. Lawrence University in 2008. He then earned his J.D., Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mike has extensive litigation experience in matters dealing in personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, insurance defense and general municipal negligence. He currently heads our personal injury litigation department.
At the Cerio Law Offices, we understand how extensive the cost of a personal injury can be. Insurance companies can be misleading, so don’t accept a settlement without first seeking the advice of an experienced attorney. Our attorneys will determine the financial impact of an accident on our client through consultations with medical experts and life care planners. We take into account future medical treatment, in-home nursing care, physical therapy, medical equipment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our goal is to protect your rights when you’ve been injured.
Medical Malpractice
At the Cerio Law Offices, our medical malpractice attorneys have the experience you rely on to handle the complicated issues that arise in medical malpractice cases. We are dedicated to assessing cases of all kinds, such as...
Auto Accidents
Social Security Disability
Nate Riley is a strong believer in public service. He has represented parties on appeal before NY’s Appellate Division, 4th Department, litigated post-conviction motions seeking to overturn felony convictions, and argued local appeals of misdemeanor convictions before Supreme Court in Onondaga County. He also has experience in federal court where he successfully represented disabled clients seeking social security disability benefits. Nate is admitted to the bar in the states of New York, Illinois, and Michigan.
Medicaid Planning
Since Medicaid has a five year look-back penalty, it is important to promptly reallocate assets in order to avoid this penalty. The assets should be transferred through a trust or income distribution pool. If this fails to happen, you may be forced to sacrifice Medicaid coverage and spend down your assets. By keeping our clients educated, our estate planning attorneys can advise those in need of assistance with Medicaid planning.
At the Cerio Law Offices, we can help you transfer assets or set aside money for your family. Our estate planning lawyers work with accountants, financial planners, and tax experts when creating the best estate plan for you. We also work with the out-of-state adult children of elderly parents who need assistance in estate planning.
Trusts
In order to establish a trust, a trustee must be selected. There are generally two types of trustees: private/family trustees and corporate trustees. A private or family trustee may cost less than a corporate trustee; however, they are not usually bonded or insured. Therefore if a trust is mismanaged, the beneficiary may not recover what was lost. A corporate trustee is usually a financial institution that may be more expensive, and offers little flexibility in responding to the needs of the beneficiary. But a corporate trustee is almost always bonded and insured.