Sometimes there are obstacles on the road to financial security. We can help.

For over 40 years Satter Ruhlen Law Firm, PLLC has been dedicated to protecting the rights of working people. We provide competent, aggressive “big-firm” legal representation without sacrificing the care and compassion a small firm can give.

Satter Ruhlen Law Firm, PLLC has earned a reputation as one of Central New York’s most effective union- and employee-side firms.

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Here are a few successes we’re very proud of:

• Moulton v. County of Tioga, New York et al., 3:22-cv-00340 (AMN/ML) (June 23, 2025). $2 million jury verdict returned in favor of our client, a 29-year public employee, who lost his law enforcement certification because of statements made by his former employer to a state agency. The jury found that the Defendants’ actions violated our client’s rights to free speech and due process, and that the statements were defamatory.

• In the Matter of the Arbitration between Davis Vision and IUE-CWA Local 81408, AAA Case No. 01-24-0007-7750 (Gelernter, 2024). The Firm successfully represented the Union’s position that a newly-created position should be represented by the Union. As the result of this arbitration the position was recognized as part of the bargaining unit.

• In the Matter of Disciplinary Charges Brought Pursuant to Education Law §3020-a by Dryden Central School District against Dale Sweet, State Education Department File No. 39,737 (Bilik, 2023). The Firm defended a 17-year Assistant Principal with no disciplinary record against false charges of impropriety involving emails allegedly exchanged between him and a student. We showed that the allegedly improper emails were never received by the AP, who had no knowledge that the emails existed, and there was serious doubt as to whether the student had even drafted the emails. The AP was reinstated.

• Buczakowski v. 1199SEIU, 5:18-CV-0812 (LEK/ML); 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106053 (June 7, 2021). The Firm made a successful motion for summary judgment, resulting in dismissal of a charge of discrimination against the Union.

• In the Matter of the Arbitration between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1145 and Broome County Dept. of Transportation, AAA Case No. 01-21-0002-5464 (Gelernter, 2021). The Firm arbitrated on behalf of a Union grievant who had been terminated without just cause after the County failed to provide her with progressive discipline on sixteen separate charges. The employee was reinstated to her job.

• In the matter of the Arbitration Between Teamsters Local 687 and Saranac Lake Quarry Division of Upstone Materials, Inc., AAA Case No. 01-20-0000-7116 (Reilly, 2020). The Firm arbitrated a grievance against an employer relative to paying Union members proper travel time and mileage reimbursements; the members were awarded make-whole relief for their travel time and mileage.

• Matter of Walker (Read), 168 A.D.3d 1253 (3rd Dept. 2019). Attorney Ruhlen successfully argued before the Third Department to uphold a County Supreme Court decision granting a motion to confirm and denying a cross-motion to vacate an interest arbitration award granting retroactive wage increases.

• Auburn Memorial Medical Services, P.C. v. 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East, NLRB Case No. 03-RC-226811 (October 5, 2018). The Firm represented the Union in an agency hearing regarding the appropriate bargaining unit for purposes of a petition to represent the workers in a multi-facility healthcare organization. The Union’s petition was granted and an election was directed.

• Surlock v. New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, et al., 17-400-cv (2d Cir. 2018). The Firm successfully argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of upholding the District Court’s dismissal, on summary judgment, of substantive due process charges against an individual defendant who was employed by the OPWDD as a Direct Care Provider.

• Arbitration between Teamsters Local 687 and Town of LeRay, New York PERB Case No. A2016-227 (Kowalski, 2017). The Firm arbitrated a Union grievance on behalf of a member who had been terminated without just cause after testing positive for marijuana use; the worker had no prior history of drug use and was not given an opportunity to defend himself. He was reinstated to his job.

• Biel v. New York State Dept. of Transp., et al., Index No. 13-6239 (Onondaga Co. March 7, 2014). Attorney Ruhlen argued and won an Article 78 petition in favor of the client, who had been terminated on the basis of a breathalyzer test that showed he was not intoxicated. The employee was reinstated and awarded backpay.