Firm

Partner

MAtthew D. Norfolk

St. John's University School of Law
Juris Doctorate Degree, 1998

Cornell University
Bachelor of Science Degree, Natural Resources, 1995

Affiliations & Memberships

• New York State Bar Association, Member

• Certified Professional Lacrosse Players Association Regional Attorney

Bar Admissions

• New York State

• United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

• United States Federal Court of Claims

• United States District Court, S.D.N.Y.

• United States District Court, E.D.N.Y.

• United States District Court, N.D.N.Y.

• United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D.N.Y.

Matthew founded the firm of Norfolk Law PLLC before joining with Jill to form Norfolk Beier PLLC. He has worked overseas, in the New York City metropolitan area, and for the past 16 years has made the Adirondacks, specifically Lake Placid, the headquarters for his practice and home for his wife, Darcy, and their three children.  

Matthew specializes in litigation, including appeals, and the representation of individuals and businesses in matters involving complex real property disputes, commercial disputes, land use and zoning disagreements, and other matters where the dispute requires litigation or the employment of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration or mediation, to obtain a resolution.  He also regularly handles residential and commercial real estate transactions.  Matthew's clients come from near and far. He represents residents and businesses in Northern New York, including the Adirondacks, but also has clients from all over the United States, Canada and Europe.  

Prior to relocating to Lake Placid, Matthew was employed as a litigation attorney at a Manhattan-based law firm specializing in multi-jurisdictional litigation often involving litigants from multiple states and foreign countries.  From 2001 to 2002, Matthew served as international corporate counsel for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. ("MHI"), in Tokyo, Japan.  There, he negotiated and drafted major commercial construction and manufacturing supply agreements concerning a variety of MHI's gas-powered products, aviation components, power plants and other projects of a global scale.  Matthew continues to have relationships with his colleagues in Japan.

Matthew brings experience, passion and grit to every file.  He customizes his support and services and develops a strategy to meet each client's unique needs and objectives. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with Matthew to learn how he can help you with your legal matter.

Matthew is currently an active member of Board of Trustees for the Adirondack Health Foundation. He is a former President and Trustee for the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. For more than 10 years, Matthew was also a Board Member for Tri-Lakes Youth Lacrosse Association and a volunteer coach.

Partner

Jill Choate Beier

New York University School of Law
LL.M. in Taxation

Touro Law School
J.D., summa cum laude

Fordham Graduate School of Business
MBA with an Accounting concentration

University of North Texas
Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance

Affiliates & Memberships

• New York State Bar Association, Former Chair, Trusts & Estates Law Section

• American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel (ACTEC) Fellow

• New York City Bar Association

Bar Admissions
New York State

Articles Published

“Probate v. Privacy: The Technology Battle After Death” New York State Bar Journal, March/April 2018

“Legislating Digital Assets” The Suffolk Lawyer, Vol. 30, No. 3, December 2014

“When Old and New Worlds Collide: Traditional Planning and the Daunting Challenges of Digital Assets” (with Susan Porter) BNA Tax Memorandum, December 16, 2013

“The Digital Asset Dilemma” (with Susan Porter) NYSBA Trusts and Estates Section, Summer Edition, 2013

“Defining Beneficial Dispositions Under EPTL 3-3.2: Should Tax Non-Apportionment Clauses Count?” (with Joseph La Ferlita and Theresa Kraker) NYSBA Trusts and Estates Section, Summer Edition, 2011

“Trustee Commissions and the Power to Adjust: Should We Re-Characterize Adjustments?” (with Joseph La Ferlita) NYSBA Trusts and Estates Section Winter Edition, 2011

“Falling into the Gap of State Death Taxes: How to Ensure a Soft Landing”, New York Law Journal, (with Catherine Grevers Schmidt), January 26, 2009

Jill Choate Beier is a partner and co-founder of the firm, Norfolk Beier PLLC with its primary location in Lake Placid, New York. Her practice includes a broad range of matters in the personal planning area, including estate and tax planning for individuals and families; small business succession planning; estate and trust administration; all aspects of Surrogate’s Court practice, including probate proceedings, will contests and guardianships; and planning for charitable giving and philanthropy.

Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Beier practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP in New York City. Before becoming an attorney, Ms. Beier worked for several years in the financial services sector and held senior management positions in accounting and regulatory reporting at large financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Credit Suisse.

Since 2010, Ms. Beier has been an active member of the Trusts and Estates Law Section of the New York State Bar Association serving on various committees and in positions of leadership. Since 2018, Ms. Beier has served as an officer of the Executive Committee and, in 2020, served as Chair of the Trusts and Estates Law Section. As a member of the Trusts and Estates Law Section, Ms. Beier has been instrumental in several legislative initiatives that resulted in the enactment of statutes in New York State to shape and improve the practice area.

Ms. Beier is a frequent author and lecturer on various topics specific to the trusts and estates practice area. In 2019, Ms. Beier was elected by her peers as a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

In addition to practicing law, Ms. Beier is active in the local community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Adirondack Council, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and Paul Smith’s College.

Ms. Beier earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of North Texas, an MBA with an Accounting concentration from Fordham Graduate School of Business, a J.D., summa cum laude, from Touro Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

Paralegal and Office Manager

Lisette S. Cimaglia

Lisette has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mercy College where she graduated in 1987. Lisette majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. For the past 4 years, Lisette has worked alongside Matthew to provide legal services to clients concerning real estate transactions, civil law actions, the formation of corporations and limited liability companies and the preparation of liquor license applications for newly established restaurants and inns in the Lake Placid area. She is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. Lisette’s experience working with numbers is an invaluable asset when handling real estate transactions. Growing up in Yonkers, New York, Lisette moved to Lake Placid in 1987 after being introduced to the area by her grandfather who owned a house here for many years. In her free time, Lisette enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her golden retriever, Max.