Capital Defense Lawyers in Buffalo, NY
Facing a capital case is the most serious legal challenge anyone can endure. At Harrington & Mahoney, our attorneys bring decades of experience defending individuals in death penalty cases in New York and across the United States. Our record reflects both courtroom success and thought leadership in shaping how capital defense is handled nationwide.
Mark J. Mahoney – Leadership in Capital Defense
Mark Mahoney attended the Capital Defense College at Santa Clara University School of Law. He was the only private lawyer to submit proposed trial and penalty phase jury instructions for consideration by the Criminal Jury Instruction Committee under New York’s new statute.
He was later asked by the newly formed Capital Defender's Office to write a chapter on jury selection for its defense manual. Collaborating with Rosalyn Lindner, Ph.D., of the National Jury Project, his work was incorporated into a revision of California’s Death Penalty Defense Manual.
Mark also authored a series of papers on the critical issue of capital defense attorney fees. His recommendations were largely adopted by the New York Court of Appeals, setting the highest rates in the nation and the only fee schedule expressly approving compensation for associates, paralegals, and clerks working with appointed attorneys.
When Governor Pataki attempted to block these payments, Harrington & Mahoney litigated the matter and prevailed unanimously in Mahoney v. Pataki, 98 N.Y.2d 45 (2002).
James P. Harrington – Ongoing Capital Defense Work
Jim Harrington has been appointed to numerous cases carrying the potential for the death penalty. Even though New York’s death penalty statute is currently in hiatus due to rulings by the Court of Appeals, he continues to work in this area. At the request of the Georgia Resource Center, Jim is representing a Georgia death row inmate in a state habeas corpus proceeding.
In addition, Jim teaches a course on the death penalty at the University at Buffalo School of Law, passing on his knowledge to the next generation of criminal defense lawyers.
Notable Capital Cases
- People v. Grinnell – Mark Mahoney was appointed to defend the first trial scheduled under New York’s reintroduced death penalty statute, a double homicide case in Batavia, NY. The case was resolved with a life sentence rather than the death penalty.
- People v. Jonathan Parker – Jim Harrington defended Buffalo’s only death penalty trial, involving the murder of a police officer. His client avoided a death sentence.
Why Choose Harrington & Mahoney for Capital Defense?
- Proven results: Decades of experience with capital cases in New York and nationwide.
- Thought leadership: Authors of influential works on jury selection, trial procedure, and attorney compensation in capital defense.
- Courtroom success: Life sentences won in cases where prosecutors sought the death penalty.
- Commitment beyond New York: Representation of death row inmates in other states.
When your life or the life of a loved one is on the line, you need experienced capital defense attorneys in Buffalo, NY. Our firm is dedicated to protecting constitutional rights and achieving the best possible outcomes in the most challenging cases.
