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Attorneys
Robert B. Schlather
Attorney/CPA
Robert B. Schlather began his practice in Cooperstown near Oneonta and Norwich in 1977. As both an attorney and a Certified Public Accountant, Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm's Trusts & Estates and Taxation practice.
Bob graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1971. Prior to law school, Bob graduated from St. Vincent College magna cum laude with a B.A. in Accounting. Bob is admitted to practice in New York State and the Northern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and a member and treasurer of the Otsego County Bar Association.
In addition to his professional practice, Bob is a Trustee of the Glimmerglass Opera; Trustee and Treasurer of Friends of Bassett Healthcare; and Trustee and President of the Catskill Area Hospice Foundation. He is also an active member and former President of the Cooperstown Rotary Club.
Robert W. Birch
Robert W. Birch began practicing law in Cooperstown in 1986. Bob heads the firm's Real Estate and Bankruptcy practice.
Bob graduated from Albany Law School of Union University in 1982. Prior to law school, Bob attended Cornell University's Industrial & Labor Relations School. Bob is admitted to practice in New York State, the Northern District of New York and Florida. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association; he is the chair of the Otsego County Bar Association and a member of its Real Property Committee.
Bob is a former president and active member of the Cooperstown Rotary Club and a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America Cooperstown Troop 12 and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 1254. Bob is also a former Trustee of Friends of Bassett Healthcare. Bob is active in the Christ Church Episcopal Church of Cooperstown, formerly serving as Senior Warden, Vestryman, Chair of the Rector Search Committee, Stewardship Chair and teacher. Bob and his wife have also been Foster Parents for Otsego County and the host family for a number of Rotary exchange students.
Accountants
Patrick Kinley
Patrick R. Kinley, CPA joined the firm's tax practice in 2013. He was previously a Tax Manager with Bank of America's International Tax Planning group where he specialized in foreign tax credit planning. Prior to that he spent four years at KPMG LLP in the federal tax practice.
Patrick obtained his Masters in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, magna cum laude, earning a B.S. in Chemistry.
Patrick is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in New York. He lives in Fly Creek with his wife and three sons and serves on the Board of Directors of The Pathfinder Village Foundation and the Brookwood School. Patrick also serves as the Treasurer of the Cooperstown Rotary Club and the Cooperstown Soccer Club.