Richard Harms, a Partner in the law firm of Harms & Harrigan, LLP., received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from C.W. Post College of Long Island University. After working in commercial insurance underwriting for several years, Richard decided his passion for the law and for helping people could best be served by going to law school. So while continuing to work during the day, Richard attended Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsburg Law Center at night where he received his Juris Doctorate, graduating Cum Laude and in the top 8% of his class. While attending law school, Richard worked for the Touro College Law Library, the personal injury defense firm of Ahmuty, Demers & McManus, the real estate law firm of Lance Margolin, and for staff counsel for CIGNA Insurance. After graduation, Richard worked for Alio, Ronan, Ritzert, McDonnell & Kehoe, Melville, NY as a trial lawyer handling personal injury defense matters from 1997-2001. From 2001-2004, Richard worked as a trial lawyer for Ohrenstein & Brown, LLP., Garden City, NY. In 2004, Richard formed a partnership, Gisonni & Harms, LLP, Woodbury, NY, a general practice law firm. Richard then became the principal attorney at the Law Offices of Richard Harms, P.C., Woodbury, NY in 2012.
Richard’s Practice Areas include: Personal Injury Litigation, including Negligence, Automobile Liability, Premises Liability; Insurance Coverage Litigation; Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning and Administration; Guardianship; Real Estate Transactions; and Business and Contractual Transactions.
Richard is admitted to practice in all New York State Courts; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Richard also serves as an Arbitrator in Third District Court, Suffolk County, NY.
Richard is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Associations, and is a member of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates and Elder Law Sections.
In addition to charitable giving to various causes, including The Little Shelter, where Richard served as a judge of their annual Pet-a-Palooza day, Richard and his law firm have made charitable donations to St. Baldricks Foundation, the ALS Association, The Family Service League, Easter Seals, Walk the Walk America for breast cancer, American Cancer Society, SOAR, a program to help autistic children, Last Hope Animal Rescue and Golden Paw. Richard is also a volunteer with New York Organ Donors Now*(live On NY). In fact, Richard helped save the life of his sister by donating one of his kidneys to her. This was recognized by a Newsday Article in May 2005 and by proclamation from the Town of Huntington on May 24, 2005. http://www.huntingtonny.gov/content/15103/21390/default.aspx#127 (Town of Huntington Article, May 26, 2005)
Richard also has donated his time coaching children’s basketball. He is an avid runner, having run five marathons, numerous half marathons and other races. He also loves playing and watching sports and is a musician who plays the guitar and piano.
Helping others is the foundation of not only our law practice, but our lives. So if you need legal help, we at Harms & Harrigan, LLP. will be happy to discuss your situation and determine how we can help you resolve your issue and in the manner which is best for your situation.
