The Davies Law Firm, P.C.

 
The Davies Law Firm, P.C. has provided comprehensive estate and tax planning for residents of New York State since 1993. We have helped thousands of people who are concerned about protecting their families and loved ones from the devastating legal and financial effects of mental and physical disability, long-term illness, and death. With the aid of estate planning seminars, articles, and appearances, we have championed the use of living trusts and other planning methods as proven ways to protect families from the legal expense and delay of guardianship proceedings, the financial impact of long-term illness, court and government involvement, and the ravages of income, capital gains, and estate taxes.

Our law firm has extensive experience in the complex areas of Guardianship, Trusts, Wills, Elder Law, Medicare, Medicaid, Long-Term Care, Death Probate, Estate Administration, and Tax Law. The aim of each member of the law firm is to help you accomplish your estate planning goals and take the mystery out of the planning process.

If you decide to have our law firm help you establish an estate plan, it will be explained in straightforward language you and your loved ones can understand. Our knowledgeable staff has helped thousands of people just like you ease the burden on family members and loved ones when disability and death occur. By establishing an estate plan now, you can relieve your family and loved ones of needless government interference, attorney’s fees, legal costs, delays in settling your affairs, and the loss of your hard earned estate. But more important, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have made it much easier for all concerned.

Frederick P. Davies

Attorney

Frederick P. Davies is the founder and senior attorney of the Davies Law Firm, P.C., and a noted speaker on Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Long Term Care, Medicaid and Taxes.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Vermont in 1982 and a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1985.  Following graduation, Mr. Davies was admitted to practice law in all the state courts of New York and Connecticut.  He is also admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Tax Court and the Federal District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of New York. 

In September 1983, Mr. Davies joined the United States Navy JAG Student Program.  After taking the Bar Exams for New York and Connecticut, Lieutenant (JG) Davies attended Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was certified as a Judge Advocate (Military Lawyer).  In January 1986, Lieutenant (JG) Davies was stationed at Naval Base San Francisco, California, where he began his estate planning practice and gained extensive trial experience.  In 1989, Lieutenant Davies left active duty, returned home to Central New York, and joined the Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

In 1992, Captain Davies transferred to the New York Air National Guard and served as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field, Syracuse.  In 1995, he transferred to the Connecticut Air National Guard and served as the Headquarters Air Staff Judge Advocate.  In 2002, Lieutenant Colonel Davies transferred back to the New York Air National Guard and served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Eastern Air Defense Sector, Rome, New York.

In May 2012, Colonel Davies transferred to the United States Air Force Reserve at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and served as the Senior IMA for the Community Legal Services Directorate of The Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force. In November 2014, Colonel Davies transferred to the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School (Air Force Law School) where he served as an Instructor and the Subject Matter Expert on Estate Planning for the United States Air Force.  Colonel Davies retired from the military on December 14, 2015.

Mr. Davies, upon his release from active duty in 1989, worked for a number of law firms in Central New York. Wanting to focus his legal practice on Estate Planning, Mr. Davies started the Davies Law Firm, P.C. in 1993. From simple beginnings, the firm has become one of the prominent law firms in Central New York focused on Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Estate Administration, Probate, Long Term Care, and Taxation. 

Mr. Davies is a member of the American Bar Association (Wills and Estates Section), the New York State Bar Association (Trusts & Estates and Elder Law Sections), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the Estate Planning Council of Central New York.  He has given over 1000 seminars on Estate and Tax Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid and other Elder Law issues.  Mr. Davies has also been a guest speaker for a variety of groups and organizations including the AARP – Local Onondaga Chapter, The Adult Education Program of SUNY Utica, The Carpenters Union Local 747, The First Baptist Church of Rome, The General Electric Elfun Retirees, Liverpool Public Library, New York State Correctional Facility Employees Association, Niagara Mohawk Employees, The Prostate Cancer Survivors Group, S.A.G.E., Sennett Seniors, Verizon Employees Group, The West Genesee Adult Education Program, The Women’s Business Group of Utica, and many others. 

William P. Davies
Attorney

William P. Davies is a partner at the Davies Law Firm, P.C., and has been employed with the firm since he was 14 years old.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the College of Saint Rose in 2013, a law degree (Juris Doctor), magna cum laude, from Albany Law School in 2016, and a Heckerling L.L.M. (Master’s Degree in Law) in Estate Planning from the University of Miami Law School in 2017.  Mr. Davies is admitted to practice law in all the state courts of New York and Florida.  

Mr. Davies received a full academic scholarship to attend Albany Law School.  During his second year of law school he was a member of the Albany Law Review, where he edited legal research papers selected for publication.  During his second semester, Mr. Davies served as a full time student intern for the Honorable Mae A. D’Agostino, Federal District Court Judge for the Northern District of New York.  He was also awarded a “Sponsler Fellowship” for placing in the top 10% of his class.  As a Sponsler Fellow, he held small group lectures with new students on best study and work practices for law students in their first semester of law school.  Mr. Davies also served as a peer mentor for first year law students.  

In his third year, Mr. Davies was elected an executive editor of Notes & Comments for the Albany Law Review. His article on New York’s Statutory Power of Attorney was published in Volume 78 of the Albany Law Review, and cited in McKinney’s Commentary on the New York Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act §5-1510.

After finishing his law degree at Albany Law School and taking the New York Bar Exam, Mr. Davies attended the University of Miami Law School to gain specialized knowledge and training in estate and tax planning, earning an LLM (Master’s Degree in Law).  Following graduation, he took the Florida bar exam.  

Mr. Davies has spoken at the Adult Abuse Training Institute in Albany New York, on New York’s Power of Attorney, and for the National Business Institute on the New York State Probate Process. He has published articles in the Albany Law Review and the Syracuse Law Review, and provided written materials on adult capacity and Power of Attorney issues for presentation at legal conferences.  Mr. Davies also serves on the Board of Directors for the Estate Planning Counsel of Central New York.

He is a member of the American Bar Association (Wills and Estates Section), the New York State Bar Association (Trusts & Estates and Elder Law Sections), the Onondaga County Bar Association, and the Estate Planning Council of Central New York.  

Tristin G. Davies
Legal Assistant

Tristin G. Davies is a Legal Assistant with the Davies Law Firm, P.C. She is originally from Vermont.  Mrs. Davies attended the University of Vermont and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Computer Programming minor.  She works primarily in the areas of Real Estate and Estate Planning.

Meghan Buchanan
Legal Assistant

Meghan Buchanan is a Legal Assistant with the Davies Law Firm, P.C.  She is originally from Albany, New York. Ms. Buchanan attended Le Moyne College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Crime & Justice.  She works primarily in the areas of Estate Planning and Living Trusts.

Jenna L. Dunsmore
Legal Assistant

Jenna L. Dunsmore is a Legal Assistant with the Davies Law Firm, P.C.  She is originally from Syracuse, New York.  Ms. Dunsmore attended Le Moyne College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Crime & Justice with a minor in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration.  She works primarily in the areas of Estate Planning and Living Trusts.

Craig W. Mullins
Legal Assistant

Craig W. Mullins is a Legal Assistant with the Davies Law Firm, P.C.  He is originally from Cicero, New York.  Mr. Mullins attended SUNY Buffalo State and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History.  He works primarily in the areas of Estate Planning and Living Trusts.

Richard P. Davies

Administrative Assistant

Richard P. Davies is an Administrative Assistant with the Davies Law Firm, P.C.  He was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and is a full time college student.  Mr. Davies works for the Davies Law Firm, P.C. during the summer months and is responsible for the firm's computer systems and website.