Ithaca Law Firms Merge to Expand Regional Reach

Littman & Babiarz joins Coughlin & Gerhart, a century-old regional firm

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two longtime Ithaca law firms, Littman & Babiarz and Coughlin & Gerhart, have joined forces effective February 1st. Littman & Babiarz, a boutique practice focused on workers' compensation and personal injury cases, will now operate under the Coughlin & Gerhart banner while continuing to serve local clients from the firm's Cascadilla Street office.

Why it matters

The merger allows Littman & Babiarz to leverage Coughlin & Gerhart's broader legal resources and regional presence across New York and Pennsylvania, strengthening the firm's service capabilities in the Finger Lakes and Central New York without disrupting existing client relationships.

The details

Coughlin & Gerhart, founded in 1898, is a well-established regional law firm serving a wide range of clients. By joining forces, Littman & Babiarz's attorneys Peter Littman and Lisa Babiarz will continue to focus on their specialties in workers' compensation and personal injury cases, while gaining access to Coughlin & Gerhart's expanded legal expertise and resources.

  • Littman & Babiarz joined Coughlin & Gerhart on February 1, 2026.

The players

Coughlin & Gerhart

A regional law firm founded in 1898 that serves clients across New York and Pennsylvania.

Littman & Babiarz

A boutique Ithaca law practice focused on workers' compensation and personal injury cases, operating for over 30 years.

Peter Littman

An attorney at Littman & Babiarz who will continue to focus on workers' compensation and personal injury cases.

Lisa Babiarz

An attorney at Littman & Babiarz who will continue to focus on workers' compensation and personal injury cases.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This merger demonstrates how established local law firms can adapt and expand their reach by joining forces with larger regional players, allowing them to maintain their specialized expertise while tapping into greater resources and a wider geographic footprint.