Bar Admissions

  • New York, 1987

Education

  • State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management, B.S., 1983
  • State University of New York, Buffalo School of Law, Buffalo, New York, J.D., 1986

Professional Association

  • Estate Analysts of WNY, Past President
  • Erie County Bar Association (Committees: Surrogate's Court Practice & Procedure, Elder Law Practice & Procedure)
  • New York State Bar Association - Committee, Trusts & Estates Section

Professional Recognition

  • Named to Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2021-2025
  • Named  Lawyer of the Year - Trusts and Estates, by Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2024

News & Presentations

  • "Revocable Living Trust Tactics", part of "Estate Planning Top 7 Tools to Know" seminar, National Business Institute
  • "Federal and New York Estate and Income Tax Issues for the Estate", Probate and Administration of Estates seminar, New York State Bar Association
  • "Accounting Proceedings", Surrogates Court Guardian Ad Litem Training, Surrogate's Court Committee, Erie Institute of Law
  • "Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts: A Review of Some Old and New Topics", Surrogate's Court Committee, Erie County Bar Association
  • "Estate Planning and Will Drafting 2018", New York State Bar Association
  • “Elder Law, Medicaid, and Trust Planning,” The Greater Buffalo Memorial Society, Inc.
  • “Tax and Estate Planning for Pension and IRA Assets,” National Business Institute
  • “Common Issues To Be Prepared For in Litigation and Probate,” National Business Institute
  • “Calculating the New York Right of Election,” Practice & Procedure Committee of the Erie County Surrogate’s Court
  • “Selected Issues in Estate Planning,” Women's Club of Orchard Park
  • “Marital Deduction/Credit Shelter Planning,” Trusts and Estates Law Section, New York State Bar Association

John F. Leone has practiced almost 30 years in the areas of wills, estate planning, estate and trust administration, qualified retirement plans and residential and commercial real estate. He received both his J.D. and B.S. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In connection with his wills and estates practice, John has successfully defended proponents of wills subject to will contests, contested wills on behalf of beneficiaries, and has filed claims relating to breaches of fiduciary duty by individuals using a power of attorney for their own benefit.  John also counsels clients on effective methods to reduce estate taxes and income taxes. 

John assists developers and clients with commercial loan transactions, the dedication of roads and the negotiation and drafting of leases. 

John is a frequent author of articles pertaining to estate planning and administration. He is a Past President of the Estate Analysts of Western New York and is a member of the Surrogate’s Court Practice & Procedure and Elder Law Practice & Procedure committees of the Bar Association of Erie County.


 2022 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year