Profile

Brian is a trial attorney who has represented school districts in a variety of matters, including employment disputes, student discipline, athletic eligibility, civil rights and commercial disputes.

He has appeared on behalf of school districts in both federal and state courts as well as before the Commissioner of Education and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

Brian is chair of the firm's management committee, leading the firm's more than 300 attorneys across 16 offices. Prior to joining the firm, Brian clerked for the Hon. Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., U.S. District Court Northern District of New York.

  • Listed in:
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2018-2024 (listed for more then 5 years)
    • New York Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2023 (listed for more than 10 years)
    • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Rated
    • The Daily Record, Power 20 List - Litigation, Power Players in the Western New York Legal Community, 2021
    • The Daily Record, Power 50 List, Power Players in the Western New York Legal Community, 2021
  • New York State Bar Association, Past Member Executive Committee, Trial Lawyers Section; Federal and Commercial Litigation Section
  • Onondaga County Bar Association, Past Member, Board of Directors
  • President-Elect for the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association
  • Mediator, ADR Mandatory Mediation Program, Northern District of New York

  • An Interview with Brian Butler, Micron, Legally Bond Podcast, December 5, 2022.
  • An Interview with Brian Butler, Litigation, Legally Bond Podcast, May 24, 2021
  • Basic Lessons on Ethics & Civility CLE, New York State Bar Association, 2018
  • Remedies and Damages in Commercial Litigation CLE, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, 2017
  • Representing Your Client in the Northern District of New York CLE, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, 2015
  • Bond, Schoeneck & King's In-House Counsel CLE Series: Defensibly Downsizing Your Data, February 27, 2014

  • Brian J. Butler, Suzanne M. Messer and Clifford G. Tsan, "E-Discovery and Information Management - Can Clicking "Like" Make or Break a Lawsuit?," Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal, April 2016

  • Board Member, United Way of Central New York
  • Co-Chair, CLE Committee, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association