About Vinal & Vinal, P.C.
Our goal is to put things right to the full extent of the law. We understand that an injury can affect every aspect of a person’s life and the person’s family, as well as the medical providers who treat the injured person.
We assist our clients with every aspect from the lawsuit to the No Fault arbitration and other insurance issues, to applying for Social Security benefits.
A New York State Certified Woman Owned Business Enterprise since 1994
We are a plaintiffs’ personal injury and civil litigation law firm based in Buffalo, NY
We litigate cases in New York State Supreme Court in counties all over Western New York, including Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans, and Kings counties. We also practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Much of our work is referred to us by other lawyers and law firms to help clients with a personal injury claim or an insurance denial.
ABOUT OUR WORK
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Personal Injury
For more than 30 years, we have represented people injured by automobile, train, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and workplace accidents; racial discrimination; environmental incidents; slips and falls; catastrophic events, and more.
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No Fault Arbitrations for Providers and Injured Parties
We represent medical providers and injured parties in no-fault arbitrations to recover medical expenses and lost wages on claims that were wrongfully denied by insurance carriers.
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Social Security Benefits and Small Business Needs
We represent clients in their application for Social Security benefits, on their applications to become a minority and/or women owned business enterprise, and for other small business needs.
Attorneys
Jeanne M. Vinal, Esq.
PRINCIPAL AND CO-FOUNDER
Jeanne is a seasoned litigator with over 35 years of experience and devotion for advocating for the injured, poor, and those who service the injured and poor. She primarily does civil litigation in state and federal court regarding personal injury actions, insurance claim denials, contract breaches, civil rights violation, property damage, inhalation injury, chemical exposure, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic injuries.
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Jeanne has devoted her professional life to the service of others and is proud to provide the highest level legal work to the injured, the poor, and the people who service the injured and poor.
Jeanne was born and raised in Western New York. Jeanne graduated from Sacred Heart and received SHA's Christus Super Omnia Award. Jeanne graduated from Colgate where she was awarded the George Cobb Fellowship for community service. She graduated from University of Buffalo Law School with Honors and then obtained a dual degree in Economics and Philosophy from Colgate University where she was awarded a George Cobb Fellowship for Community Service. She graduated from SUNY at Buffalo Law School, cum laude (with honors) in 1989. Since graduation, she has practiced law in Western New York.
Jeanne is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association (now the American Association for Justice), and the Erie County Bar Association.
Jeanne has been active politically as a member of the Erie County Democratic Committee for many years, served on the Erie County Charter Revision Commission, and on the Judicial Nominating Committee for six years in the past, and is currently serving as a County Legislator.
She has served on boards including Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Erie County, Women's Bar Association of the State of New York, The WNY Chapter of the WBASNY, and Stella Niagara Education Park, and served past president of Interclub Council of WNY, St. Benedict's School Parents' Assn., and is a member of the bar associations and past member of the Women & Minority Business Committee for the Town of Amherst. She regularly gives training seminars to attorneys, paralegals, and medical billers across NYS.
Jeanne and her husband, Greg Vinal, started Vinal & Vinal, P.C. in 1994 after spending five years working at two local firms. Jeanne and Greg are members of St. Benedict’s Parish. Jeanne and Greg have been married for 39 years and they have four adult children, Lizzy, Gregory, Jr., Frederic and Sarah, each successful in their own right.
Jeanne’s drive to help people is credited to her roots. She was born and raised in East Buffalo, the fifth of six children in a home filled with happiness and love, but not without hardships. Jeanne's father, Fred Vezina, was a brilliant and brave man (MIT grad and 82nd Airborne during WWII). Her parents, then new to Buffalo, had three kids then, aged 4, 2, and 1. The 4 year old child contracted Polio and was paralyzed. Just months later, the vaccine came out but there were limited quantities, and people over 30 could not get it. Her father thought since he was 29, why not save the vaccine for a child. However, he contracted polio just weeks after the vaccine was available. He was hospitalized for two years and came out in a wheelchair, told he'd live only a year. Due to the love and care of Jeanne's mom, Rita, he lived 38 more years and had three more children, including Jeanne. Fred and Rita ran a business together, on East Delavan and everyone worked hard together to keep the bills paid and food on the table. It was not always easy, but gave Jeanne and her siblings a deep appreciation for the help they received and the chances they had.
One of our paralegals who worked with us for 20 years always said to clients, "Jeanne has you covered like a blanket."
Gregory Vinal, Esq.
PRINCIPAL AND CO-FOUNDER
Gregory is a respected attorney with over 35 years of experience regarding insurance claim denials, lost wages arbitrations, and medical provider arbitrations. Gregory is known for his constant pressure on insurance companies to get our clients paid. Gregory handles all arbitrations through the American Arbitration Association for both lost wage and mileage claims for injured parties and medical expense claims for medical providers who bill No-Fault insurance, including hospitals, neurosurgeons, orthopedic care centers, chiropractors, durable medical equipment providers, specialists, and other providers.
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Gregory was born and raised in Western New York. Gregory graduated from University of Buffalo, receiving a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. Gregory then went to SUNY at Buffalo Law School and received a dual Masters in Business Administration in Finance and his law degree. Gregory later graduated from New York University Law School with his Master of Laws in Taxation.
Gregory is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association (now the American Association for Justice) and the Erie County Bar Association.
Gregory is a member of Scalp & Blade and Slow Roll Buffalo.
Olivia M. Mullen, Esq.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Olivia joined Vinal & Vinal, P.C. in March 2023. Olivia’s practice focuses on all aspects of personal injury work, including motor vehicle collisions, toxic torts, slip and falls, and much more. Olivia also represents clients applying and appealing applications for social security benefits. Olivia also handles insurance breach of contract actions.
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Olivia is originally from Akron, Ohio. She attended Kent State University where she completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology with a minor in entrepreneurship. Olivia was very involved in her community at Kent State. She served on the Undergraduate Student Government for 3 years, was a member of a national women’s sorority, was involved in the College Democrats, and studied abroad in Costa Rica.
Olivia then attended the University of Akron School of Law, graduating magna cum laude with a litigation certificate. Olivia served on the Akron Law Review, was appointed to be an Academic Success Programs Torts Fellow–to tutor 1L students in their torts class, participated in clinical coursework helping residents of northeast Ohio with landlord-tenant matters and start-up and small businesses with beginning their venture through Akron Law’s Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) Clinic.
Olivia received many scholarships and was heavily involved with her community in law school. Olivia was active in the Student Bar Association (serving as Class President and Secretary 2020-2022), Women in Law Society (Member 2019-2020, Secretary 2020-2021, President 2021-2022), volunteered in the Re-Entry clinic, helping low income residents seal records to pursue employment, volunteered in the Pro Bono Housing Clinic to represent those facing eviction and housing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, and volunteered in the Right to Counsel Housing Clinic to screen those for Community Legal Aid’s program.
After law school, Olivia moved to Buffalo to begin her legal career. Before working at Vinal & Vinal, P.C., she worked for a start up directly under the COO, General Counsel, and the Department for Government Affairs and then went to one of the large firms in Buffalo in the Land Energy and Environmental Group.
At Vinal & Vinal, Olivia is on a partnership track and is bringing hard work, empathy, and compassion to her clients. She also brings her family's decades of service in healthcare where she grew up literally in the practice, and the experience of loss and of sacrifice in a family which makes her very compassionate to clients who are going through challenges caused by injury and loss of the financial security the family had enjoyed.
Olivia is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association (now the American Association for Justice), Erie County Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She is admitted to practice in New York State and federal court.
Olivia serves as the Vice Chair to the Young Lawyers Committee of the Bar Association of Erie County.
Outside of work, Olivia enjoys yoga, spinning, trying new restaurants in the City, and experiencing all Buffalo has to offer.
Staff
Jen Griesbaum
SENIOR LITIGATION PARALEGAL
Jen has been with the firm for 13 years. She has over 25 years of experience as a paralegal and is knowledgeable in all areas of practice that Vinal & Vinal, P.C. offers to clients. Jen supports all staff with court and arbitration matters and also serves as the office manager, ensuring we always have coffee and snacks in the office.
Jen graduated from Letchworth High School and then attended Genesee Community College where she earned an AAS in Legal Studies. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree from Buffalo State College in Political Science and was the Raymond P. Stone Award recipient. She is certified in medical terminology and medical billing and coding.
Before working at Vinal & Vinal, P.C., she worked at Legal Aid in Batavia, New York and then for over a decade in defense-sided litigation. She has been with the firm since 2013. Jen has been a Notary Public in New York since 1995 and has her New York State Real Estate License.
She served on the Executive Board of the Lancaster Amateur Radio Club and is a licensed HAM Radio operator. She lives with her husband Chris in Buffalo.
Joshua Billingsley-Cooke
SENIOR NO-FAULT PARALEGAL AND COORDINATOR, LAW CLERK
Josh played a key role in establishing the firm’s No-Fault insurance practice alongside Gregory in the early 2000s and rejoined the firm in April 2024. With over eight years of experience in No-Fault Law, Josh is responsible for filing No-Fault arbitration claims, gathering evidence, and preparing for hearings with Gregory and Nadine.
Josh is a graduate of City Honors High School and attended The State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Anthropology.
Before returning to Vinal & Vinal, P.C., Josh held key roles at Independent Health Insurance as a Cost Containment Supervisor and at Aleron Global Workforce Solutions as the Manager of Compliance and Procurement. His diverse professional background reflects his strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and expertise in legal and regulatory compliance.
In addition to his legal career, Josh co-hosted a podcast on critical thinking and education, showcasing his passion for intellectual discourse and learning. Outside of work, he enjoys working out, spending time with his family, and reading about Geopolitics and History.
Molly Hegarty
LITIGATION LEGAL ASSISTANT
Molly provides administrative and secretarial support to our attorneys, such as managing calendars, drafting legal documents, organizing files, communicating with clients, and scheduling depositions. She also became a Notary Public to better suit the needs of our office and provide greater service to our clients.
Molly is a Western New York native, growing up on Grand Island. There, she was active in her community, volunteering with her family through Rotary. She played soccer throughout high school, was a lifeguard and swim instructor for over 5 years, and today she maintains a Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals Certification through the American Red Cross. She was also a Rotary Youth Ambassador to Belgium at just 16.
For college, Molly stayed close to home and attended the University at Buffalo. She graduated a semester early and double majored in French and International Studies Interdisciplinary; which is a very eloquent way of saying she studied history, political science, language, and statistics. Molly was inducted into the National French Honors Society in her junior year at UB. Outside of classes, she maintained her love of soccer and joined the UB women’s club soccer team. She was also a member of UB’s French Club.
Between semesters, she was an intern at the Erie County Democratic Committee, where she learned valuable office skills and made many lasting connections. She primarily assisted in political campaign coordination and outreach, assisted with organizing events and meetings, and conducted research on key political issues.
For her final semester of undergraduate education, Molly put her French skills to the test and studied abroad at Université Paul Valéry, in Montpellier, France. It is one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1289. There, she continued her studies of history and political science while also taking art and literature courses.
Outside of the office, Molly is an avid gymgoer and runner. She goes to the gym and runs a mile daily (except on weekends- everyone needs their rest). She also loves to read and listen to music. Her favorite book genres are high-fantasy and science fiction. In the future, Molly plans on attending law school and hopes to one day become an attorney.
Mary Elkoury
NO-FAULT LEGAL ASSISTANT
Mary assists Josh and Gregory in managing files and filing applications. She is efficient, knowledgeable, and eager to help!
Mary is a recent alumna of Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart where she achieved Honor Roll each year, performed over 250 hours of service within our Buffalo community, was a member of National Honors Society, played field hockey, and the list goes on.
Mary is continuing her education at University at Buffalo studying International Business on a Pre-Law track. Mary is graduating in May 2026. She is fluently bilingual in both English and Arabic and can serve as a translator for any clients who may need it. Mary's knowledge, care, and drive makes her a very valuable member to our legal team.
Sorima Morales, R.N., B.S.N.
NURSE CONSULTANT
Sorima reviews medical records to help build our cases and provide insight on the correlation of injuries and the residual effects of suffering from an injury to add value to cases.
Sorima is originally from Puerto Rico and worked as a Registered Nurse there for many over 15 years. She graduated in 2009 as a Practical Nurse with High Honors, advanced with an Associate Degree in 2018 (Honor Diploma) and a Bachelors Degree in 2021 (Magna Cum Laude). She is recognized for commitment to the medical field, empathy and professionalism in every stage of her career.
Rathi Ravi
IT/MEDICAL RECORDS
Rathi manages our IT and is very involved in reaching out to clients for outstanding items needed for their legal matters. Her experience in IT helps our firm to serve our clients better with text message reminders, email correspondence, and electronic signatures on documents. Her kind demeanor and positivity is an asset to the firm when speaking to clients.
Rathi is a driven and detail-oriented professional known for delivering strategic solutions and fostering meaningful collaboration. With a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, Rathi brings a thoughtful approach to every challenge—balancing analytical insight with creative problem-solving. Whether leading projects, building partnerships, or driving results, Rathi is passionate about making a lasting impact.
Rathi holds a master's degree in computer applications and brings a unique fusion of technology, tradition, and community spirit to everything she does. With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, she blends analytical expertise with a deep appreciation for cultural heritage. A proud resident of Buffalo, NY, Rathi is also an accomplished Indian classical dance teacher, nurturing creativity, discipline, and cultural pride in her students. Beyond the studio and the screen, she is a passionate community builder, dedicated to fostering connection, empowerment, and shared growth across diverse spaces. Rathi lives in Buffalo with her husband and children, where she continues to inspire through both her professional and personal pursuits.
Cecilia Brown
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Cecilia conducts in depth non-legal research for matters in litigation.