Based in Albany, New York, The Towne Law Firm, P.C. (TLF) is a versatile legal practice with a dedicated team of professionals focused on delivering tax-related services. Our attorneys provide guidance and representation in a wide range of tax matters, from minor issues like traffic tickets to intricate business disputes. With offices across New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts, we offer localized assistance in tax-related transactions and litigation. Our client-centered approach ensures tailored solutions and individualized attention.
We are committed to addressing your tax needs and upholding the standards of the legal profession, ensuring unwavering support throughout your journey.
Our legal team has achieved noteworthy successes, including securing approximately $22 million for New York State Retirees’ families, safeguarding victims’ rights in litigation claims, and defending against unjust compensation claims for individuals and entities. We handle all litigation phases, from mediation to appeals, and provide counsel on various corporate and personal tax-related legal matters.
Our principal, James T. Towne, Jr., is a prominent figure in the field, consistently recognized on the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list for his outstanding performance. With sixteen consecutive years of recognition (2007-2022), he was also featured among the Top 25 Hudson Valley Lawyers in 2016, marking his third appearance on the list.
TLF is deeply committed to community engagement, encouraging its attorneys and staff to contribute positively to the world around us. Our firm members are actively involved in charitable endeavors and donate their time and resources to various areas of legal practice, including Albany, Saratoga Springs, Burnt Hills in upstate New York, the Bennington, Vermont area, Arlington, Massachusetts, and Sparta, New Jersey. This commitment extends beyond national borders, reflecting our dedication to making a meaningful impact at home and abroad.
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. believes in making a difference in the world in which we live and the communities that we serve. The members of our practice donate time, funds and support to community investment in our hometowns, across the country and abroad.
Some of the charitable organizations we are privileged to support and work with include:
51 Steps to Freedom, 51 Steps To Freedom Trail® unites DC from Anacostia to Georgetown — combining history, art, and culture to connect prominent Civil Rights sites from The African American Heritage Trail (and other historical, religious and cultural places) to inspire, educate, and tell the story of America’s journey for freedom, equality, and representation.
Adirondack Aquatic Center, The Center focuses specifically on aquatics, with four indoor pools of varying temperatures, sizes, and depths to satisfy all customers’ needs. The outdoor component consists of an Olympic-size pool and an ADA-compliant splash park that will be open during the warm weather months.
The AI Center of Excellence, Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence will foster the development of a nationally recognized AI ecosystem centered in New York’s Capital District.
AIM Services, providing residential and community-based supports to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including those with traumatic brain injuries and those who are looking for nursing home transition or diversion.
Albany County Bar Association, Founded in 1900, the Albany County Bar Association’s mission is to promote professional collegiality among the bench and the bar; facilitate public service and access to justice for all; and offer programs, benefits and services to enhance the skills of its members.
Albany Guardian Society is to improve the lives of seniors in the Capital Region, their families and their caregivers, through information, education, research, and collaboration.
Albany Medical Center Foundation, The Foundation works hand in hand with the hospital and college to ensure successes in each area of our mission: patient care, education and research. The Foundation supports these goals through community engagement and philanthropic support.
Alzheimer’s Association, leading the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
American Cancer Society, a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Established in 1913, the society is organized into six geographical regions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than 250 Regional offices throughout the United States.
American Heart Association, for nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke and helping families and communities thrive.
be.cause International, a non-profit organization that provides The Shoe That Grows to as many children as possible who are in desperate need of footwear to protect their feet.
The BH-BL Giving Tree, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by AJ Sign Company that helps foster community outreach for strengthening student equality within the Burnt-Hills Ballston Lake School District.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Camp Good Days strives to improve the quality of life for families affected by cancer or sickle cell anemia through residential camping programs and year-round recreational and support activities, in the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, New York areas. At Camp Good Days, participants have the opportunity to regain some of what cancer has taken away from them. While a vast majority of our participants reside in NY, Camp Good Days has no geographical boundaries and accepts children from all 50 states and all over the world.
Capital District YMCA, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Center for Disability Services, empowering people with disabilities to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Center For International Legal Studies, a non-profit law research, training, and teaching institute, established and operating as a public interest society.
Code Blue Saratoga, a program of Shelters of Saratoga that provides temporary unrestricted shelter to individuals who are homeless during periods of hazardous winter weather.
Fast Break Fund, a non-profit organization designed to enrich the lives of underprivileged children and children with special needs in upstate New York’s Capital Region.
Franklin Community Center, a non-profit organization providing basic necessities and services to less fortunate individuals and families in Saratoga.
Fresh Beginnings Children’s Academy, offering the highest level of care, education and structure within a bright, clean facility that offers families a true sense of community support.
Girls, Inc., inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. Girls, Inc. programming provides academic enrichment and support, life skills instruction, and healthy living instruction.
Juneau Icefield Research Program, provides an unrivaled educational and expeditionary experience in the stunning Coast Mountains of Alaska and British Columbia.
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, providing free civil legal aid to low-income upstate New Yorkers.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, LLS exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. “We are the voice for all blood cancer patients and we work to ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients.”
Loisaba Community Conservation Foundation, a not-for-profit serving the Ewaso and Laikipia communities in Kenya, Africa.
Multiple Sclerosis Society, bringing the world together to cure MS for every single person — as fast as possible.
Muscular Dystrophy Association, creating more hope and answers for families living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases that take away physical strength and mobility.
O Street Museum Foundation, inspiring creativity, diversity and imagination through the fusion of the arts, music, science and sports.
The Rensselaer County Bar Association is a professional body of lawyers serving Rensselaer County, NY.
Return the FAVOR Veteran Discount Program, a merchant discount program for eligible veterans in Albany County. TLF is a proud business partner and honors those who served and sacrificed for our country with discounted services available for eligible veterans.
Saratoga County Bar Association, cultivating the art of jurisprudence, promoting advancement in the law, facilitating the administration of justice, promoting the highest standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession, and encouraging a spirit of fellowship among its members.
Saratoga County F.A.V.O.R Veteran Discount Program, a merchant discount program for eligible veterans in Saratoga County. TLF is a proud business partner and honors those who served and sacrificed for our country with discounted services available for eligible veterans.
Saratoga Plan The mission of Saratoga PLAN is to preserve the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County so that these irreplaceable assets are accessible to all and survive for future generations.
Shelters of Saratoga, assisting individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness by offering a path to self-sufficiency.
Skidmore College, a highly ranked, residential, liberal arts college situated on 1,200 acres of natural beauty in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft charity, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for 1.5+ million children.
St. Catherine’s Center for Children, addressing the needs of children and youth in communities throughout the Capital Region, offering a wide range of services designed to preserve family life and equip at-risk families with the skills they need, and offers shelter and support for the homeless or for families or individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Teen Excellence, identifies those young persons who demonstrate individual growth, leadership development, and serve as exceptional role models in their communities and beyond.
The Legal Project, making the law more accessible to those in need, increasing the legal community’s involvement in pro bono work; and serving as a resource on legal issues, with a special commitment to women and others who may have difficulty in obtaining legal assistance.
Make a Wish, creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The Nature Conservancy, impacting conservation in more than 70 countries and territories thanks to members, staff and scientists.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation, born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building custom-designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
Warren County Bar Foundation, a uniquely active bar association for its largely rural setting. It consists of both small and large-sized law firms, maintains an office, has a vibrant charitable foundation and has produced several prominent attorneys who have made their own unique contributions in our local community as well as throughout the State.
Wellspring, supporting survivors and engaging our community to end relationship and sexual abuse.
The Wildwood Foundation advocates for people with developmental disabilities and works toward creating an awareness of how their goals and needs can be met through philanthropy.
WMHT Public Media, located in New York State’s Capital Region, serving Eastern New York and Western New England, is the only locally owned, nonprofit, multichannel public communications organization that reaches beyond the traditional broadcasting model to act as a leader by convening arts, culture, learning and civic interests. WMHT focuses on Community, Culture and Connections by providing entertainment, enrichment and engagement through television, radio, digital media, and educational services.
Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, promoting the advancement of the status of women in society and of women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular.
Women TIES (Women Together Inspiring Entrepreneurial Success), a company dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs expand their local, state and regional marketplace in New York State.
The attorneys at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. have a longstanding history of giving back to the communities in which they live and work by responding to the need for making legal services more accessible. Using our expansive legal knowledge and experience to help others is an integral part of our Firm’s culture. All of our attorneys are encouraged to participate in pro bono services within our community and throughout the state.
TLF provides pro bono services, including providing free legal services to individuals who cannot afford them, advising not-for-profit organizations and serving on boards for a variety of legal services organizations and not-for-profit organizations. Specifically, the Firm has strong relationships with two of the Capital District’s pro bono services organizations – the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) and The Legal Project. Over the course of his career, James T. Towne, Jr. has been a key asset to both of these organizations through ideas, time and essential funding. In 2015 alone, Jim played a significant role in expansion projects for each organization.
With the grand opening of LASNNY’s new Saratoga Springs location, Jim and his wife Sue made substantial efforts to kick start LASNNY’s fundraising campaign. Shortly thereafter, Jim partnered with Attorney E. Stewart Jones, Esq. to create a one-to-one fundraising match for up to $20,000.00. The funds raised assisted LASNNY by driving down the 15-year mortgage on the property, which led not only to considerable savings over the lifetime of the loan, but also allowed for a greater focus on providing residents of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties with easier access to legal services. Additionally, Jim served on LASNNY’s Board for over 19 years, the Executive Board for over 8 years, and has a long-standing practice. Jim’s commitment to and long standing belief that the legal profession should give back to those in need of legal services is clearly demonstrated by his countless hours spent in support of this organization and the clients it serves.
Later in 2015, Jim approached Lisa Frisch, Executive Director of The Legal Project, to share his concerns about the difficulties surrounding legal assistance in rural communities. At the time, The Legal Project was in the very beginning stages of developing a Civil Legal Outreach Center. The Center operates out of public libraries and other community centers across the greater Capital Region to provide those living in rural areas, those without transportation and those who have physical challenges, a convenient location to readily access legal advice and support services. The Center utilizes state-of-the-art technology to remotely connect those individuals with attorneys for private, “face-to-face” legal consultations, allowing them to resolve their civil legal concerns more quickly and with fewer obstacles. To make this project a reality, Jim and Sue Towne created and funded the William E. Byron Technology Center named in honor of Sue’s father, a long-time supporter of legal aid for the disadvantaged. At the urging of then Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, “Bill” Byron stepped in to become the first, and only, non-attorney Chair of the Legal Aid Society in its long history. The efforts Bill extended over many years shoring up and providing a viable platform for LAS’ future success deserved the lasting recognition the Technology Center provides.
In recognition of his guidance and dedication to the project, Jim was honored with the Legal Project Champion Award in October 2015. Additionally, Jim agreed to serve as a member of The Legal Project’s Advisory Board. The Advisory Board, which consists of leaders in the Capital Region’s legal community who share in the mission of the organization, work together with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on significant projects and planning for The Legal Project’s programs and fundraising activities.
