Daniel Cavarello

Dan Cavarello is a Partner with Sugarman Law Firm, with an extensive background in the litigation of claims involving municipalities, school and fire districts and related entities, as well as private companies. He has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the Department of Labor, Division of Human Rights, and EEOC.

Mr. Cavarello is an experienced mediator and arbitrator and has served in that role in a wide variety of disputes in both New York state and federal court.  The vast majority of his mediations have resulted in settlements, which has led to this area becoming the primary focus of his practice.  He is known for his patience, professionalism, and diligence in working with the parties and their clients toward an acceptable resolution. He is also frequently selected by counsel for plaintiffs and defendants as the “neutral” on three-person arbitration panels. Mr. Cavarello has completed New York's Part 146 training and is listed as a "roster neutral" in both the 7th and 8th Judicial Districts.

Mr. Cavarello was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996 and has practiced before all New York state and federal district courts. He is a member of the Erie County and New York State Bar Associations, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) section.  His other professional memberships have included the New York State Magistrates, Erie County Magistrates and Western New York Trial Lawyers. In 2023, he was named a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators (ACCTM) whose membership is limited to approximately 150 mediators across the country.

In 2014, Mr. Cavarello was named “Attorney of the Year” by one of the firm’s largest clients, HCC Public Risk, a multi-state insurer of municipal entities.  In 2018, he was named to Buffalo Business First’s list of “Legal Elites,” and has also been selected to the “Super Lawyers” list on several occasions.

Mr. Cavarello is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Boston College where he received both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees, with honors, in 1992 and 1995, respectively.

Mr. Cavarello is also an active member of the Tonawanda, New York community where he served as Town Attorney from January, 2006 until August, 2010, when he was appointed Town Justice. In 2022, he was re-elected to his fourth term and recently retired from that office in August 2024.  He is also a past President and Trustee of the Kenmore-Tonawanda School Board and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Mount St. Mary Academy.

Mr. Cavarello and his wife, Chris, are life-long residents of the Town of Tonawanda where they reside with their three children, Claire, Erin and Tommy.

• Boston College (Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees, with honors.)
• New York State Part 146 Mediation Training

• Admitted to practice in all New York State Courts
• Admitted to practice in all New York Federal District Courts
• Member, New York State Bar Association, ADR Committee
• Member, Erie County Bar Association, ADR Committee
• Fellow, American College of Civil Trial Mediators (ACCTM)

Mediation - $400 (2 parties); $450 (3 or more parties); $500 (CVA cases) per hour

Panel Arbitrations (only) - $350-$400 per hour