Steven Getman Attorney

Steven Getman attorney: Highly skilled, results-driven and goal-oriented administrator and attorney with over twenty years of successful comprehensive and progressive experience in the private and government sectors.

• Steven Getman County Assigned Counsel, 2008-2011
  Steven Getman Seneca County Stop-DWI Coordinator, 2007
  Steven Getman Seneca County Attorney, 2002-2007
  Steven Getman Social Services Attorney, 1995-2001
  Steven Getman Seneca County Public Defender, 1995
  Steven Getman Seneca County Law Guardian Panel, 1992-1995

Attorney at Franklin & Gabriel

January 2008 - Present | Ovid, New York

• Practiced law in the criminal and civil courts of New York State, representing clients in a wide range of legal matters. • Served as attorney for the Towns of Romulus, Ovid and Lodi, providing representation in all aspects of municipal law, including drafting and enforcement of town laws and ordinances, litigation, zoning/land use and labor/employment issues. • Acted as outside contract counsel for Tompkins County Department of Social Services. • Represented and advocated for the best interests of children as a law guardian/attorney for children in Family Court. • Served as Assistant County Attorney for Schuyler County.

County Attorney at Seneca County

January 2002 - December 2007 | Waterloo, New York

• Served effectively as chief legal advisor to over 400 county employees, including the county manager, county legislature and all other appointed and elected officers. • Supervised all civil litigation prosecuted or defended by the county; insured that all matters were addressed in a timely manner. • Appeared before courts, legislative committees and administrative tribunals on behalf of government agencies. • Conducted investigations; made findings and recommendations to county government. • Developed and implemented local laws, policies and legislative initiatives. • Prosecuted violations of local laws and ordinances. • Coordinated county’s traffic safety and “STOP-DWI” programs. • Instituted computerized document production and case management processes to improve office efficiency. • Served as a general information officer and liaison to the press and public on county procedures and policies. • Provided superior leadership, direction and supervision for staff of county attorney’s office, and oversight in the annual preparation of the department budget.

Social Services Attorney at Seneca County

October 1995 - December 2001 | Waterloo, New York

• Represented county agency in all aspects of litigation, including Family Court and administrative hearings, and prosecuted civil and criminal welfare fraud cases. • Prosecuted juvenile delinquency cases in Family Court as Presentment Agency attorney. • Developed alternatives to incarceration programs for juveniles and implemented a wide range of policies related to child custody and parental rights. • Provided expert advice to the DSS Commissioner and staff on a broad range of legal issues

Public Defender at Seneca County

January 1995 - September 1995 | Waterloo, New York

• Provided counsel to indigent defendants on all phases of criminal litigation in Supreme Court, County Court and local criminal courts and defended parental rights of indigent persons in Family Court. • Advocated for families and children in need of education, training and guidance. • Oversaw county's assigned counsel program and supervised staff consisting of assistant public defenders and support staff.

Attorney at Midey & Swinehart

January 1996 - December 2001 | Seneca Falls, New York

• Valued member of a general practice law firm. • Served as attorney for the Town of Seneca Falls. • Served as Special District Attorney for both felony and misdemeanor-level criminal cases.

Hofstra University

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Concentration: Law

Ithaca College

Master of Science (M.S.)

Concentration: Communications

Cornell University

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Concentration: Agriculture and Life Science

• Member, Tompkins County Ethics Advisory Board • Member, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, Attorneys for Children Appeals Panel • Member, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, Assigned Counsel Panels • Member, Tompkins County, New York, Attorneys for Children Panel, Assigned Counsel Panel • Member, Schuyler County, New York, Attorneys for Children Panel, Assigned Counsel Panel • Member, Schuyler County Bar Association • Member, Seneca County Bar Association – Past President • Member, Tompkins County Bar Association • Member, New York State Bar Association – Past Member, House of Delegates • Member, Seneca County Traffic Safety Board (2007)