Mackenzie Hughes is among New York State’s leading, most highly regarded counsel for banks and credit unions, representing numerous financial institutions, large and small, throughout the State and counseling them on the ever changing regulatory landscape. Mackenzie Hughes represents many prominent regional banks and credit unions in various aspects of their business. Financial professionals trust us for no-nonsense counsel on a wide variety of complex issues.
Our attorneys in this area stay on top of the latest developments and know how to make the myriad laws and regulations work for our clients. We represent regulated financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, insurance companies and brokerage firms in the negotiation and documentation of the full range of commercial financial transactions:
Mergers and Acquisitions
Evaluation of merger proposals
Negotiating and drafting letters of confidentiality
Developing and providing counsel on takeover strategies
Federal and State Regulatory Matters
Truth-in-lending issues
Director liability
Conversions
Interstate banking
Service corporations
All other aspects of federal and state statutes and regulations
Financial Services
Commercial mortgage loans
Asset-based financing
Project/construction transactions
Conversions
Participation in multi-lender transactions
International Banking Matters
Currency control
Foreign investment
Trade financing, including letters of credit and export-import
Project financing
Loan Workout and Collections
Real estate–secured loan workouts
Asset-based workout
Bankruptcy and collections
Attorneys
Jillian L. Brodock
Associate
Deven D. Desai
Associate
Richard C. Engel
Managing Partner
Clayton H. Hale, Jr.
Partner and Co General Counsel
Frederick W. Marty
Partner
James H. Nicoll
Partner
Neil J. Smith
Partner
Edward J. Spencer, III
Partner
News
James H. Nicoll Elected a Director of Onondaga County Bar Association
Mackenzie Hughes LLP is proud to announce that partner James H. Nicoll has been elected by members of the Onondaga County Bar Association to serve as a Director. James is one of seven attorneys recently elected to the OCBA Board of Directors and will begin a three-year term on June 1. James joined Mackenzie Hughes […]
Neil Smith Recognized by Syracuse Area Salvation Army
On February 25, 2026, Mackenzie Hughes Partner, Neil Smith, received recognition for five years of service on the Syracuse Area Salvation Army Services Advisory Board. The Salvation Army provides life-saving support for many of the most vulnerable members of our community. Among many other things, they help people with food, shelter, emergency services, and early […]
James Nicoll to be Among the Featured Panelists in Key Private Bank’s Panel Discussion
Key Private Bank will be hosting a panel discussion entitled “Managing and Mitigating Fiduciary Risk for Board Members” on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. This session will explore the critical topic of fiduciary risk—an area all board members must navigate to ensure organizational integrity and stability. Moderated by Jeff Reisner of Key Private Bank, panelists will […]
Blog
NY’s Good Cause Eviction Law, the Bad, and the Ugly
This spring New York’s Legislature continued a 5-year trend of adding layers of protection for tenants. With 2019’s elongation of special proceedings, and 2023’s affirmative claim to compel repairs, 2024’s Executive Budget ushered in the era of Good Cause Eviction. Good cause means landlords cannot have no cause. The allowed causes are listed in the […]
Four Quick Tips For Small Businesses During the Corona Virus Epidemic
So you’ve followed all the CDC guidelines, obeyed the orders issued by Governor Cuomo, and heeded the advice of my colleague Chris Jones with the same fanatical devotion as a samurai obeying his master. (https://mackenziehughe.wpengine.com/blog/new-york-provides-for-additional-paid-sick-leave-and-other-benefits-for-employees-under-covid-19-quarantine-order/). But most companies in the US are heavily indebted, and almost all companies’ cash flow will be reduced to a […]
Bitcoin 101
Over the past year, Bitcoin, a new alternative virtual currency was in the news almost every week. Since its creation in 2009, Bitcoin use has grown exponentially. It now has a presence in nearly every country in the world. Mainstream businesses including Overstock.com and Microsoft have also begun to accept Bitcoin for ordinary transactions. 1. […]