Mackenzie Hughes Thanks Anne B. Ruffer for her leadership role, Elects Richard C. Engel Managing Partner, Appoints James H. Nicoll Business Department Chair

Attorney Anne B. Ruffer electively stepped down as the firm’s Managing Partner effective December 31, 2023, after serving in that role for six years.  During that time, she oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, managed its fiscal responsibility, encouraged attorneys’ community involvement, and advanced the firm’s positive culture.  She successfully navigated the firm through the Pandemic and its many challenges.  Anne has served in the firm’s management since 2007, when she was elected to join the firm’s Executive Committee. 

During her time in firm management and as Managing Partner, she continued her law practice providing legal services in the firm’s Estates Department.  She will continue her practice, where she will work with clients on their estate planning, estates and trust administration, special needs and elder law planning, guardianships, estate litigation and related matters. 

Over the years, Anne has served in many board leadership and member roles for a variety of community and law related organizations.  She presently serves on the Board of Directors of Center State CEO. 

Attorney Richard C. Engel has been elected Managing Partner of Mackenzie Hughes LLP, where he’ll oversee the firm’s operations, chair the Executive Committee and guide the strategic vision of the firm.

Richard joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2003. He concentrates his practice in business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, banking, commercial development, and IDA financing. He also handles securities litigation and arbitration before FINRA, private securities offerings, and federal and state regulatory compliance relating to securities and corporate governance.

He also periodically lectures on business and securities law topics and serves as a judge for the Syracuse University College of Law and New York State Bar Association moot court competitions. Richard participates with numerous local and state pro bono programs. He has recently served on the boards for the Onondaga County Public Library, Christian Brothers Academy (as Chair), Hiscock Legal Aid Society (as Chair), Century Club (as President), JDRF (as President) and Central New York Biotechnology Accelerator, among others.

Attorney James H. Nicoll will now serve as Chair of the Business Department. James joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2014 and is a partner in the firm’s Business Department. He represents public companies, private companies, private investment funds and investment banks in a wide spectrum of matters, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, commercial lending, commercial contracts, ongoing securities law compliance and corporate governance.

James is active in the community as a board member of ARC of Onondaga Foundation and the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) Foundation. He’s a frequent speaker at conferences and industry events and an author of numerous articles concerning current trends and developments in corporate and securities law.