Emilio Colaiacovo concentrates his practice primarily in the area of Matrimonial and Family Law. Mr. Colaiacovo practices extensively in New York State Supreme Court and County Family Courts throughout the 8th Judicial District handling contested divorce proceedings as well as child custody, visitation and support matters. He has handled numerous trials involving custody, visitation, and child relocation issues. Also, he has tried complex equitable distribution and financial cases. Mr. Colaiacovo has lectured extensively on the issues of custody and visitation before members of the New York State Bar Assocation as well as issues concerning federal laws governing child custody and support. He has also argued before the New York State Appellate Division, 4th Department, on Matrimonial and Family Law issues.
Mr. Colaiacovo is also legal counsel for the Erie County Republican Committee. In this position, he has litigated election law cases extensively throughout the 8th Judicial District of the State of New York, the Appellate Division 4th Department, and submitted arguments to the New York State Court of Appeals. He has represented candidates in numerous types of proceedings, including challenges to designating petitions, the counting of ballots, and the certification of elected officials under the New York State Election Law.
Also, Mr. Colaiacovo is Associate Counsel for the Erie County Water Authority. For the Authority, he handles litigation matters under the New York State Insurance Law, Real Property Law, Public Officers Law, and general commercial cases. He advises the Board of Commissioners on employment and personnel issues and is proficient in the Freedom of Information Law.
In addition, Mr. Colaiacovo frequently appears in Surrogate’s Court on behalf of individuals requiring the assistance of a Guardian. The Appellate Division, 4th Department, appointed Mr. Colaiacovo as a Court Examiner, whose responsibility it is to review all guardianship reports in Erie County. Mr. Colaiacovo also handles commercial matters on behalf of many local small businesses located in Western New York.
Mr. Colaiacovo chairs the General Practice Department of the Bouvier Partnership and serves on the firms Management Committee.
In 2010, Mr. Colaiacovo was elected by the nearly four thousand members of the Erie County Bar Association to serve on its Board of Directors.
Education:
- J.D., State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, 2001 - President, Student Bar Association
- Bachelor of Arts, History/Research Intelligence and Analysis, Mercyhurst College (Erie, Pennsylvania), 1998, Magna Cum Laude. While at Mercyhurst, Mr. Colaiacovo studied in the Research Intelligence Analysis Program, a four-year program designed to provide students the opportunity to pursue careers as intelligence analysts in government agencies or private enterprises. During his course of study, he was employed by the United States Customs Service and the National Security Agency. He was awarded the “Carpe Diem” Award for student leadership.
Admitted to:
- New York State Bar, 2002
- United States District Court for the Western District of New York
Member:
- New York State Bar Association
- Erie County Bar Association
- Mr. Colaiacovo is also a member of the Practice and Procedure in Surrogate’s Court committee, the Matrimonial and Family Law committee, and the Practice and Procedure in Family Court committee
- Mr. Colaiacovo serves as liaison as a member of the Board of Directors for the Erie County Bar Association Matrimonial and Family Law committee as well as the Human Rights committee
Professional & Civic Activities:
- Chairman of the Law Committee, Erie County Republican Committee
- Chairman, Erie County Republican Party Chairman’s Club
- Counsel, Erie County Republican Committee
- Past Co-Chairman, Father Thomas Conway Memorial Committee
- Law Enforcement Alliance of America
- Member, Judges and Police Conference of Erie County, New York, Inc.
- Past Member, Board of Directors, Mercyhurst College Alumni Board
- Member, Board of Directors, Erie County Bar Association
- Member, Board of Directors, Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society, Inc.
- Court Examiner, NYS Appellate Division, 4th Department
- Associate Counsel, Erie County Water Authority
- Member, Buffalo Club
- Parishioner, St. Mary’s of Swormsville, Clarence Center, New York
Presentations/Lectures:
- New York State Bar Association, Practical Skills in Family Court Practice: Family Offence Proceedings and Ethics, 2004
- New York State Bar Association, Practical Skills for Family Court Practice, 2009
- New York State Bar Assocation, Representing a Political Candidate: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid To Ask, 2010
- New York State Bar Association, Family Court Practice – Custody, 2011
Awards:
- Hon. Michael F. Dillon Award Law Guardian Award, NYS Appellate Division, 4th Department, 2009
- Who’s Who in Law, Buffalo’s Business First, Matrimonial & Family Law, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010
Selected Cases:
- In the Matter of Masich v. Ward, 65 A.D.3d 817 (Appellate Division, 4th Department) 2009
- In the Matter of Abramo v. Kadet, 66 A.D.3d 1532 (Appellate Division, 4th Department) 2009
- In the Matter of Barbara R. v. Fabien R., 52 A.D.3d (Appellate Division, 4th Department) 2008
Contact Emilio Colaiacovo:
Phone: 716.856.1344
Fax: 716.856.1369
E-mail:
