Introduction
Eric Ferrante represents public and private companies in commercial litigation, including federal and state court litigation, and domestic and international arbitration and mediation.
My focus
My practice focuses on achieving results in all types of commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, and other commercial and financial matters. As an experienced commercial litigation attorney, I have extensive experience representing nationally recognized clients in the food and beverage, oil and gas, banking and gaming, healthcare, and transportation industries. These industries often face complex commercial litigation matters, including disputes arising from purchase and sale agreements, co-pack manufacturing agreements, claims of trade secret misappropriation, and lender liability and fiduciary duty claims.
In addition to a broad commercial litigation practice, I also provide strategic advice to clients in the beverage alcohol industry on federal permitting and licensing requirements and compliance issues, organizational and ownership issues, and contract manufacturing and distribution agreements related to wine, beer, and spirits.
Looking ahead
As cloud-based storage and other methods of electronically keeping sensitive information have become the norm, entities must be aware of risks these methods present, particularly in the context of commercial litigation and contract disputes. Efficiently locating documents once litigation arises is critical to resolving business disputes and other complex legal matters.
In the news
- Rochester Business Journal
Fire, other code violations prompt Irondequoit to file suit vs. I-Square developer
Nov 29, 2023Complex Disputes counsel Eric Ferrante and associate Sarah Tufano, both from the Rochester office, are mentioned in this article for representing the town of Irondequoit in its lawsuit against I-Square, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the developer ignored local and state fire codes when building an adjacent housing community and also failed to comply with an approved site plan for their commercial endeavor.
- Rochester Business Journal
A word of caution to those employers that claimed the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Nov 10, 2023This article covers the IRS suspending the processing of employee retention tax credit (ERC) claims, and what that means for employers. New York City Corporate partner and Tax team member Rick Cox, Boston Complex Disputes partner Morgan Nighan, and Rochester Complex Disputes counsel Eric Ferrante contributed this article.
- Rochester Business Journal
RBJ announces 2023 Forty Under 40 honorees
Sep 15, 2023Rochester Complex Disputes counsel Eric Ferrante is featured in this article for being honored as one of the publication’s “Forty Under 40,” recognizing Rochester-area professionals for their accomplishments, community service, and commitment to inspiring change.
- Bloomberg Law
Dallas-area hospital sues U.S. for COVID-19 care reimbursement
Aug 11, 2023This article mentions NP for representing Dallas-area hospital Sana Healthcare Carrollton in its lawsuit alleging the U.S. government refused to reimburse it for COVID-19-related claims made during a technical glitch on the Department of Health and Human Services payment portal. The NP team involved in the case includes Los Angeles Healthcare partner Harsh Parikh, Boston Complex Disputes partner Morgan Nighan, and Complex Disputes counsel Kierstan Schultz and Eric Ferrante, of Manchester and Rochester, respectively.
- Crain’s Chicago Business
People on the move
March 6, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- Crain’s New York Business
People on the move
March 6, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- New York Law Journal
Attorneys on the move
March 3, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- Rochester Business Journal
New York’s Adult Survivors Act likely to open a flood of litigation across state
Dec 16, 2022Rochester Complex Disputes associate Eric Ferrante and Long Island Healthcare associate Michal Cantor contributed this article on the significance of New York State’s recently enacted Adult Survivors Act, which opens a one-year lookback window for survivors of adult sexual abuse to file civil suits against their abusers and the institutions that allegedly played a role in the abuse they suffered.
- Law Street
IDEXX Laboratories Inc sues former employees for disclosing trade secret information
This article covers a lawsuit filed by Maine-based veterinary diagnostics company IDEXX Laboratories against two former employees for allegedly violating trade secret laws and mentions NP for representing IDEXX Laboratories. The NP team is comprised of Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones and Complex Disputes associate Eric Ferrante, both in Rochester, and Chicago Privacy & Technology partner Richard Tilghman.March 1, 2022 - Rochester Business Journal
Big changes in SBAs EIDL program sparks new interest
Rochester Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante contributed this column highlighting recent changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program that may make it more attractive to businesses on the fence about seeking government relief funds. The article is based on a client alert Eric co-authored with Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Morgan Nighan, Chicago Global Finance partner Robert Drobnak, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman.Oct 8, 2021 - Rochester Business Journal
Legality of mergers & acquisitions in the COVID era
Corporate associate Isaac Figueras and Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante, both in Rochester, were quoted in this article for their outlook on force majeure clauses, commercial real estate leasing, and the impact of COVID and the California wildfires on supply chains.Nov 27, 2020 - Rochester Business Journal
A primer on ins and outs of PPP loan forgiveness
Rochester Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante contributed this column on the process, considerations, and best practices for businesses when applying for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program.Oct 9, 2020 - Rochester Business Journal
Legal guidance a necessity for companies amid coronavirus uncertainty
In this article on the most common COVID-related issues that businesses and companies are seeking legal help for, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity deputy leader Jenny Holmes and Complex Commercial Disputes associate Eric Ferrante, both in Rochester, are quoted for their outlook on cybersecurity best practices, force majeure clauses, and rent concerns from both landlords and tenants.Sep 4, 2020
Admitted to practice
New York
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Education
Syracuse University, B.S.
Tulane University, J.D.
Professional activities
- Attorney Co-Chair, Litigation Council of the Monroe County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Webster Community Sports Complex
- Board of Directors (Secretary), Sports Association of Webster
- Board Member, Eastside YMCA
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2025 in the fields of Alternative Dispute Resolution; Appellate Practice; and Commercial Litigation; listed in Best Lawyers since 2021
- Best Lawyers in America® periodically review lawyer credentials and solicits, reviews and evaluates peer feedback in determining who receives recognition. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or any other applicable state bar reviewing authority.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllJohn Ruskusky
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4460Mobile:+1 708.606.8720
- jtruskusky@nixonpeabody.com
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Daniel J. Hurteau
Office Managing Partner / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes- New York
- Office:+1 518.427.2652
- dhurteau@nixonpeabody.com
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Joseph J. Ortego
Partner / Diversity Partner / Chair, NP Trial® / Leader, Aviation- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3045
- jortego@nixonpeabody.com
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Carolyn G. Nussbaum
Senior Counsel- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1558Mobile:+1 585.766.1480
- cnussbaum@nixonpeabody.com
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Christopher M. Mason
Partner / Deputy Leader, Class Actions and Aggregate Litigation / Leader, Arbitration Team- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3017
- cmason@nixonpeabody.com
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