Please sign in or create a free account to schedule a consultation.
Atty. Nicholas S. Cortese

Atty. Nicholas S. Cortese

Nick is a Special Counsel with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, and practices in the Firm's Public Law, Labor & Employment and Litigation groups. Nick's diverse practice includes the representation of municipalities, school districts and fire districts on a wide range of legal issues.

Binghamton Binghamton 11 yrs experience 11 year
Call (607) 251-1184 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Nicholas S. Cortese at a glance

Nicholas S. Cortese is a Special Counsel based in Binghamton, New York, practicing at Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP. They have 11+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2015. Their practice focuses on employment, litigation, and education. Admitted to practice in New York (2015) and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (2016). Educated at Syracuse University College, of Law (Juris Doctor, 2014) and Boston University (Bachelor, 2006). Active member of Professional Affiliations • New York State Bar Association. Serands clients in Binghamton, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Nick is a Special Counsel with Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, and practices in the Firm's Public Law, Labor & Employment and Litigation groups
  • Nick's diverse practice includes the representation of municipalities, school districts and fire districts on a wide range of legal issues
  • He also focuses on appellate, administrative and special proceedings litigation, and has experience advising local business owners on contractual, financial and labor matters
  • Nick is a member of the New York State and Broome County Bar Associations
  • Nick began his legal career as an Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department
  • From there, he was appointed as Senior Law Clerk to Third Department Justice Robert S. Rose
  • After his clerkships, Nick entered private practice with a law firm in Syracuse, New York, before returning home to Binghamton in 2017 to join Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP. Prior to attending law school, Nick spent five years living on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, where he was a radio DJ and journalist, and hosted a daily television talk show on governmental and social issues affecting the Cape and Islands region of Massachusetts
  • In his spare time, he loves to play golf, ski, and play the bass guitar
  • Publications & Presentations •Making an offer you can refuse: how to write nonbinding proposals, N.Y
  • EMPLOYMENT LAW LETTER, Nov. 2017, at 2-3 (Vol. 24, No. 11). •Drawing Lines in the Shale: Local Zoning Bans, the Takings Clause, and the Clash to Come if New York State Promulgates Hydrofracking Regulations, 64 SYRACUSE L. REV. 489 (2014). •Article 78 Challenges to Area and Use Variance Decisions: A Guide for Town and Village Zoning Boards of Appeal, in 2 ISSUES IN LOCAL ZONING (Robin Paul Malloy ed., 2014) (Published by the Center for Property, Citizenship, and Social Entrepreneurism at Syracuse University College of Law)
  • Leadership & Community Involvement •Leadership Committee, Emerging Leaders Society of the UNITED WAY of Broome County (2018-present) - The ELS is an organization focused on connecting young professionals in Broome County through networking events, community service projects and fundraising for the United Way and local charities. •Board of Directors, Center for the Arts of Homer (2016-present) - The Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit performance venue, art gallery, art education center and community gathering place located in Homer, NY, just outside the City of Cortland

Practice Areas Explained

Nicholas S. Cortese's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Nicholas S. Cortese handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Nicholas S. Cortese is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in New York →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Nicholas S. Cortese is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in New York →

Education Law

Education attorneys for special education (IEP), school discipline, Title IX, and student rights.

Nicholas S. Cortese is one of 24,079 education attorneys indexed nationally. Browse education attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New York

Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Binghamton are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Binghamton or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Nicholas S. Cortese

Where is Nicholas S. Cortese's law office located?
Nicholas S. Cortese's law practice is located in Binghamton, New York. The firm is Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Nicholas S. Cortese handle?
Nicholas S. Cortese focuses on employment, litigation, education. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
How long has Nicholas S. Cortese practiced law?
Nicholas S. Cortese has 11+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2015.
Where did Nicholas S. Cortese go to law school?
Nicholas S. Cortese earned their education at (Juris Doctor, 2014); (Bachelor, 2006).
How can I contact Nicholas S. Cortese for a consultation?
You can contact Nicholas S. Cortese directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

Juris Doctor
Syracuse University College, of Law
- 2014
Bachelor
Boston University
- 2006

Bar Admissions

New York
Admitted: 2015
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
Admitted: 2016

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.