Stephen A. Manuele

A proud Western New York native with 20+ years of experience providing a wide range of clients with strategic legal advice on complex matters, Stephen Manuele possesses broad expertise across legal domains. His knowledge encompasses transactional and contract work, litigation, medical malpractice, professional & products liability, nursing home abuse, toxic tort, general negligence, class action, and employment discrimination.

As an Partner at The Tarantino Law Firm, LLP, Stephen defends clients in a variety of complex litigation, preparing cases for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and/or trial and handling all aspects of the litigation process from investigation, pleadings, and discovery through trial, settlement, and/or appeal. Additionally, Stephen regularly advises health care professionals, practices, hospitals, and nursing homes on industry-specific legal issues, such as privacy, fraud & abuse, peer review & quality assurance, contracts, reimbursement, professional licensing, and compliance inquiries. He has represented client interests before various state and federal administrative agencies, including the NY Office of Professional Discipline, NY Office of Professional Medical Conduct, NY State Division of Human Rights, NY State Department of Labor, NY State Workers' Compensation Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Since 2010, Stephen has served as general counsel for Chautauqua County's largest health system, UPMC Chautauqua (formerly WCA Hospital). As general counsel, he represented the hospital during its cross-border affiliation with the nationally recognized healthcare system, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), over a four-year period; he played a key role in negotiating the merger, conducting due diligence, and facilitating meetings with specialty counsel, political activists, and members of the NY State Department of Health. Stephen's strong track record extends beyond his work as general counsel; recently, he successfully defended a physician in a medical malpractice case involving negligent selection and installation of an artificial cervical disk. He has also obtained a 100% success rate on Mental Hygiene Law cases taken to trial.

An accomplished public presenter, Stephen routinely speaks at local medical conferences, universities, and continuing legal education courses, where he contributes insight and education on key legal matters impacting the healthcare industry.

Stephen obtained his Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Niagara University. He also maintains several active bar memberships, including with the State of New York and the U.S. District Court's Western & Northern Districts. He is proud to have been recognized as a top-rated lawyer for professional liability and medical practice in upstate New York by leading legal rating service Super Lawyers.