Admitted to practice law in
New York State
Western District of New York
Northern District of New York
LOSA lead counsel Stephanie A. Adamswas born in Utica, NY as Stephanie A. Cole, graduated from Hampshire College in 1996, and from SUNY Buffalo School of Law in 1999. In law school, her nickname was "Cole."
Cole worked as an associate in the Lockport office of Dan Seaman, Morgan Jones, and F. Gerard "Gerry" Hogan. It was in that office where her extensive experience with municipal matters began, including Town Law, Public Authorities law, and Canal Law (a bit of a focal point in old canal towns).
Cole started her own practice in Buffalo, eventually partnering with Daniel D. Shonn and Eric A. Bloom to form Bloom, Cole & Shonn, LLP. From 2002 through 2006, her practice focused on education and internet law, and she handled cases ranging from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) domain name cases to alleged violation of federal wiretap laws.
While at Bloom, Cole & Shonn, LLP, Cole helped staff the legal office at SUNY Buffalo's Group Legal Services, starting a path of service to educators and students that has continued to this day. She also continued to work on construction, municipal and real property issues, and chaired the Erie County Bar Association's Intellectual property committee.
In 2006, Cole left her small partnership to become the General Counsel at Niagara University, in Niagara Falls, NY, a position she held for over ten years. Serving as the full-time general counsel required experience in education, real property, municipal, labor & employment, intellectual property, education, and not-for-profit law as well as creativity and commitment to the university's educational and public service mission.
The University's proximity to the New York Power Authority also created unique challenges and opportunities; the Authority was re-licensed during her time there, and the University collaborated with the Authority on new roads, landscaping, a shared bike path, and a large wall and berm.
Also during her time at NU, Cole designed an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) system, databases for grants, contracts and event management, and other legal/operational workflow solutions. One of the services now offered by LOSA is assessment, ranking, and tracking of enterprise-level risk. She frequently speaks on ERM (here, for example) and other risk management and business solutions for higher ed and not-for-profits.
In her almost two decades of practice, Cole has presented at numerous continuing legal education (CLE) sessions, on topics ranging from road law (more interesting than it sounds!), LLC formation, social networking, internet law, intellectual property, the role of the general counsel, concussions in sports, and managing complex investigations. She is also trained in media relations and in crisis response using the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
A former library employee and passionate speaker on library-related issues, examples of Cole's writing on intellectual property and operational issues can be seen on the Western New York Library Resource Council's Ask the Lawyer page. As of 2024, she is a member of the First Amendment Lawyers Association and the Vice-Chair of the Erie County Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law committee, and focuses that area of her practice on policy development, complex employment issues, and contract negotiations.
Through all her time as an attorney, Cole made her home in—and committed her public service time largely to—Buffalo. She has served on the board and as pro bono counsel to the Western New York Arts Services Initiative. She volunteered on historic preservation and civic issues, including representing the Allentown Association on the "Granite Works" preservation in 2002. A devotee of communities strengthened through good design and engagement, she has helped run several Facebook groups, including Blanket the Park, West Side Alive, and Design Block. As of 2024, she chairs the Governance Committee at her church.
In 2017, Cole brought her professional home base back to Buffalo, opening a small space in a new building on Grant Street. She is delighted to be practicing law in Buffalo again, and to offer some services in the Mohawk Valley. As your attorney, she will be a thorough researcher, thoughtful collaborator, and tireless advocate for you and your interests.
this time. this place.
My office is in Buffalo, on the West Side, in a very dynamic area: Grant Street. During a walk down Grant, you will hear numerous languages, see people from all over the world, and behold a very special version of the USA. It is a place of dreams and hope... but also of poverty and sometimes harsh reality.
As I grow my business, I commit to hiring both long-term residents, and America's newest arrivals, as office staff. As the area abates its lead paint and fixes its beautiful buildings, I want my neighbors to stay.
I like this picture, taken on Grant, because it looks cool. My buddy Drew is in the picture because I can't just put a bunch of random "Grant Street folks" on my web site; it would be tricky under the ethics rules for attorney advertising, and it would feel exploitative, even with permission. But check out Grant yourself! From the African Market next to my office to the eclectic restaurant and bar across the street, this place has it all.
—Cole