Millerton
Law firm moves into new Salisbury Bank building
By CORY ALLYN - Staff Reporter
03/11

MILLERTON — It didn’t take long after Salisbury Bank & Trust opened its Millerton branch on the corner of Route 44 and Maple Avenue for the company to find a second-floor tenant. Downey, Haab & Murphy, PLLC, a practice that turns 30 this year, relocated its offices last week from its former location at 1 Smith Court, behind the diner and just off John Street.

The firm, established in 1980, engages in the general practice of law with emphasis on real estate and estates and trust law. Real estate law includes residential and commercial transactions as well as land use and land conservation planning law. Estates and trust law involves the planning and administration of estates and trust as well as elder law and guardianships. The law firm also represents clients in the formation and operation of corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies as well as in local court and domestic relations matters.

Partners include Ed Downey, who has been practicing law in Millerton since 1974, and Gary Murphy, who was admitted to the bar in 1987. Michelle Haab, who is currently the village of Millerton’s attorney, retired from the firm in May 2009. Lawrence Moore serves as counsel to the firm.

Downey and Murphy, interviewed last Friday as they settled into their first week in the firm’s new home, explained that Salisbury Bank had reached out to the practice in the middle of developing plans for its Millerton branch. When Downey, Haab & Murphy said it was interested, Salisbury Bank modified its plans to include a second floor for the law firm.

“We’ve always had a good relationship with them, and this was an excellent opportunity,” said Murphy.

This is not the first time the firm has moved. For the majority of the 1980s, the practice was located in what is now the Irving Farm building. The practice moved to 1 Smith Court, the oldest commercial building in the village, near the turn of the 1990s.

Both partners have been actively involved in the community over the years. Downey, who served as North East’s town supervisor  in the 1980s, was recently named Citizen of the Year by the Millerton Lions Club. Murphy penned a local sports column for the Harlem Valley Times for many years before the paper folded, and last year ended a 13-year baseball coaching career at the Webutuck Central School District by leading the varsity team to a Section IX Class C championship.

“Our goal is to continue the practice,” explained Downey, “and serve our clients. When you have a law practice in a community of this size, it’s going to be a relationship-based practice.”

Legal assistants Leslie McHugh, Sandra Keeler and Michele Adrian, all of whom have been with the firm for more than 20 years, round out the practice’s employees.

“We’re very fortunate to have such terrific workers,” said Murphy. “To have the same people for so long is almost unheard of.”

Downey, Haab & Murphy is located on the second floor of the Salisbury Bank & Trust Company building at 87 Main St. Offices are accessible by either the elevator or stairs in the bank’s vestibule. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the firm can be reached at 518-789-4442 or by e-mail at dhmlawoffices@fairpoint.net.

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