Source: Business First of Buffalo Author: 04/29/2009
Subject Concerned: Plane Crash
On Apr. 28, a Buffalo-bound single-engine Cirrus Aircraft plane crashed just outside of Cleveland killing two lawyers from a city firm.
The plane was piloted by Michael Doran, a personal injury lawyer from the firm Doran & Murphy LLP of Buffalo. Doran and another of the firm's attorneys, Matthew Schnirel, died, authorities confirmed on Apr. 29.
The plane had just taken off from Cuyahoga County Airport and crashed three miles east in Mayfield Village.
Michael Doran, 51, practiced in multiple areas of law in addition to personal injury, including railroad accidents and injuries, toxic torts, medical malpractice product liability and wrongful death.
He was a graduate of the University at Buffalo and the UB School of Law.
Schnirel, 26, also a UB law grad and Buffalo-area native, joined the firm in 2006.
On Apr. 29, the firm issued a statement in the afternoon:
"Michael was a great person, a dedicated father and son, a close friend and a wonderful attorney. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him as a result of the countless lives he touched.
"Matt was a bright, ambitious young lawyer who came from a wonderful and very tight-knit family. He had recently passed the NYS Bar Exam and purchased a home with his longtime girlfriend Lauren.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael and Matt's family and friends. Our two brothers will be missed by their Doran & Murphy Family."