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Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
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People

Julian is Co-Leader of our Business Litigation practice group (approximately 40 attorneys). With more than 30 years of experience in state and federal court, his commercial litigation practice includes shareholder/partner/member disputes, business divorces, lease and land-use matters, contract claims, unfair competition, trade secret protection and business torts.

Julian also routinely litigates trust and estate disputes in Surrogate’s courts, and has argued many appeals in both state and federal courts on a wide variety of civil law issues. “Modesti Mediation” is also a considerable part of Julian’s practice, having conducted more than 100 mediations involving commercial disputes, personal injury, property damage, aviation claims, construction disputes, professional malpractice and employment conflicts. Julian also represents New York attorneys in disciplinary proceedings before the New York State Attorney Grievance Committee.

In 2011, Julian presented “Negotiation Fundamentals in Implementing a Counterinsurgency Strategy” to US Army officers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Spartans), 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, prior to their deployment to Afghanistan, Kandahar Province, under their Commander, (now) Lieutenant General Patrick D. Frank.

From 2019-2025, Julian served as President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County.

For years, Julian has been recognized by Super Lawyers® (Upstate Edition), and Best Lawyers in America®, and has the highest peer ratings available from Martindale-Hubbell® for professional excellence (AV – Preeminent) and ethics (High Ethical Standing).

Admissions
New YorkU.S. Court of Appeals, Second CircuitU.S. District Court, New York - Northern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Western DistrictU.S. Supreme Court
Education

Vermont Law School

JD 
1994

Vermont Law School

MSL 
1994
magna cum laude

St. Lawrence University

BA 
1989

Capabilities

Legal Practices

Co-Leader for:

Business Litigation

Member of:

Appellate
Business Litigation
Trusts and Estates

Industry Teams

Member of:

Financial Institutions
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
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Partner Julian B. Modesti

Julian B. Modesti

Member

jmodesti@harrisbeachmurtha.com
Capabilities
People
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Partner Julian B. Modesti

Julian B. Modesti

jmodesti@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (315) 214-2004
Syracuse, NY Office

Profile

Julian is Co-Leader of our Business Litigation practice group (approximately 40 attorneys). With more than 30 years of experience in state and federal court, his commercial litigation practice includes shareholder/partner/member disputes, business divorces, lease and land-use matters, contract claims, unfair competition, trade secret protection and business torts.

Julian also routinely litigates trust and estate disputes in Surrogate's courts, and has argued many appeals in both state and federal courts on a wide variety of civil law issues. "Modesti Mediation" is also a considerable part of Julian's practice, having conducted more than 100 mediations involving commercial disputes, personal injury, property damage, aviation claims, construction disputes, professional malpractice and employment conflicts. Julian also represents New York attorneys in disciplinary proceedings before the New York State Attorney Grievance Committee.

In 2011, Julian presented “Negotiation Fundamentals in Implementing a Counterinsurgency Strategy” to US Army officers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Spartans), 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, prior to their deployment to Afghanistan, Kandahar Province, under their Commander, (now) Lieutenant General Patrick D. Frank.

From 2019-2025, Julian served as President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County.

For years, Julian has been recognized by Super Lawyers® (Upstate Edition), and Best Lawyers in America®, and has the highest peer ratings available from Martindale-Hubbell® for professional excellence (AV - Preeminent) and ethics (High Ethical Standing).

Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Co-Leader for:

Business Litigation

Member of:

Appellate
Business Litigation
Trusts and Estates

Industry Teams

Member of:

Financial Institutions

Focuses

Please select listing to show.

Admissions

New YorkU.S. Court of Appeals, Second CircuitU.S. District Court, New York - Northern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Western DistrictU.S. Supreme Court

Representative Matters

  • Wac, Inc. v. Weaver Machine & Tool Co., Inc., 164 A.D.3d 1610 (4th Dep’t 2018) (action to enforce promissory note)
  • Feldmeier v. Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., 164 A.D.3d 1093 (4th Dep’t 2018) (action based on shareholder oppression and common law dissolution)
  • American Honda Finance Corp. v. V.M. Paolozzi Imports, Inc., 2015 U.S. Dist. Lexis 161422; 2013 U.S. Dist. Lexis 41842; 2012 U.S. Dist. Lexis 125150; 2010 U.S. Dist. Lexis 28767 (action to secure and execute upon a $3.6 million judgment based upon breach of floor plan financing agreement)
  • Matter of Lewis, 158 A.D.3d 1247 (4th Dep’t 2018); 25 N.Y.3d 456 (2015); 114 A.D.3d 203 (4th Dep’t 2014) (proceeding to probate will)
  • Wells v. Hurlburt Road Co., LLC, 145 A.D.3d 1486 (4th Dep’t 2016) (action against trustee for breach of fiduciary duty)
  • Smith v. Stephens Media Group-Watertown, LLC, 125 A.D.3d 1370 (4th Dep’t 2015) (action for zoning violation)
  • Matter of Eisenhauer v. County of Jefferson, 122 A.D.3d 1312 (4th Dep’t 2014) (eminent domain proceeding related to the County of Jefferson’s airport expansion)
  • A. Cappione, Inc. v. Cappione, 119 A.D.3d 1121 (3rd Dep’t 2014) (action disposing of shareholder’s shares in closely-held corporation)
  • Matter of Lazy Acres Park, LLC v. Ferretti, 118 A.D.3d 1406 (4th Dep’t 2014) (action for breach of lease)
  • East2West Construction Co., LLC v. The First Republic Corp. of America, 115 A.D.3d 1206 (4th Dep’t 2014) (action for claims related to construction of hotel)

Arbitration, Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation

  • Mediator, NYCSPREP, Inc. v. Harlem Properties, Inc., Supreme Court, County of New York, Commercial Part (Index No. 0651300/2019) (action based on breach of commercial lease)
  • Mediator, Eastgate Whitehouse LLC et al. v. Support Parking LLC et al., Supreme Court, County of New York (Index No. 651154/2019) (action based on breach of commercial lease)
  • Mediator, Cortland Line Holdings, LLC et al., v. Lieverst, United States District Court, Northern District of New York (Civil Action No. 5:180-cv-003070 (TJM/ML) (action based on breach on non-competition agreement and unfair competition)
  • Mediator, Larchmont Realty LLC et al. v. Carpenito, Supreme Court, County of Westchester (Index No. 52521/2014) (action under New York State Navigation Law for cost recovery based on petroleum contamination of soil and groundwater)
  • Mediator, Plonisch v. Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School, United States District Court, Northern District of New York (Civil Action No. 16-cv-00215 (BKS/ATB)) (action based on wrongful termination and discrimination)
  • Mediator, Nick’s Garage, Inc. v. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company et al., United States District Court, Northern District of New York (Civil Action No. 5:12-cv-777 (MAD/DEP)) (action against insurance company for breach of contract and claim under General Business Law section 349)
  • Mediator, Barnes d/b/a Mental Health Counseling Services of Northern NY PLLC v. Seacomm Federal Credit Union et al., Supreme Court, County of St. Lawrence (Index No. 147917) (action against credit union for payment of forged checks)
  • Mediator, Dieffenbacher v. Syracuse University, United States District Court, Northern District of New York, (Civil Action No. 5:16-cv-00508 (DNH/DEP)) (action for employment discrimination based on disability)
  • Court Appointed, Special Mediation Counsel to a Pro Se Litigant, Macera et al v. Village Board of Ilion et al., United States District Court, Northern District of New York, (Civil Action No. 6:16-cv-00668 (LEK/TWD)) (action based on deprivation of constitutional rights)

Distinctions

Professional and Civic

  • New York State Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section, member
  • New York State Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section, member
  • United State District Court for the Northern District of New York, approved arbitrator, mediator and early neutral evaluator
  • New York State, Supreme Court, County of New York, approved mediator
  • New York State, Fourth Judicial District, approved mediator
  • New York State, Fifth Judicial District, approved mediator
  • New York State Bar Association, Commercial & Federal Litigation Section, member
  • Onondaga County Bar Association
    • Attorney Grievance Committee, chair
    • Judiciary Committee, member
    • Volunteer Lawyer Project, Landlord/Tenant Court, volunteer counsel
    • Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program, volunteer arbitrator
    • Onondaga County Bar Foundation’s “Legal Help for Lawyers” Panel, member
  • Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, Board of Directors, member and vice president

Recognition

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Content current as of October 13, 2026 12:01 pm