Partner

MATTHEW D. NORFOLK

Matthew founded the firm of Norfolk Law PLLC before joining Jill to form Norfolk Beier PLLC.  He has worked overseas, in the New York City metropolitan area, and for the past 20 years has made the Adirondacks the headquarters for his practice and home for his family.

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.  

Before 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 various 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 the 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 of Tri-Lakes Youth Lacrosse Association and a volunteer coach.

Partner

JILL CHOATE BEIER

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.

Articles Published

“Can You? Should You? When Your Trusts and Estates Client Crosses New York State Lines”, January 27, 2023, New York Law Journal

“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

Before joining Norfolk Beier PLLC, Sarah spent nearly 20 years as an attorney with New York State's Adirondack Park Agency, where she managed the interpretation and administration of the Park's environmental and land-use laws.  Sarah was responsible for guiding applicants, employees, and board members through the review process for the most complex subdivision and development proposals presented to the Agency.  When these matters resulted in litigation, Sarah worked closely with the Office of the Attorney General to develop strategies, draft documents, and prepare for court.

Sarah has long been a leading expert on the complicated system of zoning and land use laws that apply within the Adirondack Park.  She enjoys challenges and brings sophisticated analytical, writing, and communication skills to her work.

 Sarah is actively involved in the community, serving as a board member for the Adirondack Mountain Club and a former member of the North Country SPCA and Dewey Mountain Friends.  She is a member of the New York State Bar Association.  Since 2017, Sarah has also taught yoga classes in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.

 Sarah is originally from Baltimore, Maryland.  She received a B.A. from Dartmouth College, an M.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.  Before and during law school, Sarah worked in New York City and Washington, DC, for the firms Arnold & Porter and DLA Piper.

Jade Platania, a graduate of Marist College with a degree in Political Science, earned her Juris Doctor degree from Pace University School of Law in 2000 and has been admitted to practice law in New York State since 2001.

Before joining Norfolk Beier PLLC, Jade operated her own practice for the past nine years. Her primary focus there was real estate matters, representing both buyers and sellers in residential and commercial transactions. Additionally, she possesses extensive experience in litigation, representing both plaintiffs and insurance carriers in various injury litigation matters, including motor vehicle accidents and premises liability.

In addition to practicing law, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Shane Kelly launched his legal career in 2015 at a mid-sized law firm in Rochester, NY, where he gained valuable experience in both client-facing positions and office administration. In 2018, Shane returned to academia to pursue a law degree at Syracuse University.

During his time in law school, Shane interned for an international law firm in Washington, D.C., contributed pro bono to the Syrian Accountability Project, and served as editor for multiple journals, including Law Review. Shane’s 2L student note titled Money Laundering Through Virtual Worlds of Video Games: Recommendations for a New Approach to AML Regulation received the Robert M. Anderson Publication Award and was published in Syracuse Law Review.

After law school, Shane joined a large online retailer as corporate counsel. He now works remotely for Norfolk Beier from Canandaigua, NY, but he’s always looking for an excuse to come into the office and enjoy Lake Placid!

Andrea Parejo is an Associate Attorney with Norfolk Beier in the Trusts and Estates practice area. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Political Science from the City University of New York Hunter College. During her undergraduate studies, Andrea was a member of Hunter College’s Public Service Scholar’s Program. Through this prestigious program, Andrea interned for the Human Services Council of New York. After graduating in 2017, she began her legal career as a paralegal at a law firm in New York City. Inspired by the gratitude from clients after helping them navigate complex legal systems, Andrea decided to pursue a law degree. In 2022, Andrea obtained her Juris Doctor from the City University of New York School of Law. She began her legal practice working for the New York State Division of Human Rights as an Excelsior Fellow. Andrea later focused her legal career on immigration law, helping clients around the country obtain legal status. Originally from Venezuela, and growing up in an expat family, Andrea has lived and travelled all over the world. Andrea moved to Saranac Lake in 2025.