Our Attorneys

Irwin P. Underweiser started his legal career at the corporate and banking law firm of Scribner & Miller on Wall Street.  Irwin’s time at Scribner & Miller was interrupted by his service in the United States Army as General Counsel at Fort Sill near Lawton, Oklahoma. Irwin went on to found our law firm in January 1964 at 103 Park Avenue in New York City.

Irwin specialized in corporate and securities law. In his business practice, Irwin represented various banking, institutional, and corporate clients in matters encompassing areas as diverse as banking, real estate, transportation, bankruptcy, and intellectual property. As a corporate counsel, Irwin advised clients on how to address and handle all issues that arose in their businesses and operations.

Irwin served either as an officer or board member of a number of various entities, including the Sunshine Mining Company, Underwriters Bank and Trust Company, Citizens Casualty Company of New York, Thomas Jefferson Life Insurance Company, the National Minority Development Council Business Consortium Fund, Inc. and Triad Capital Corporation of New York, among others. In the case of Sunshine, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and President for a number of years. While involved with those companies, Underweiser & Underweiser LLP functioned as those entities’ general counsel.

Duwaine Bascoe is a distinguished attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the Bankruptcy Court of Western New York. His practice is centered on litigation, with a particular focus on labor and employment, as well as commercial and business litigation.

Mr. Bascoe has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the legal field. He was honored as a “Rising Stars” by Thomson Reuters in 2023, acknowledged as a “Responsible 100” by the City and State of New York in 2021, and listed in Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch in America” in 2021. Additionally, he was featured in Rochester Business Journal’s “Power 30 List” in 2021, received the “President’s Award” from the Monroe County Bar Association in 2018, and the “Trailblazer Award” from the University of Buffalo Law School in 2018. His accolades also include the “Forty Under 40” by the Rochester Business Journal in 2016, “Emerging Bar Leader” by the Monroe County Bar Association in 2015, “Excellence in Law Up and Coming Attorneys” by The Daily Record in 2015, and “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Black Lawyers.

Mr. Bascoe earned his J.D. from the University at Buffalo Law School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Morehouse College.

Wendy L. North specializes in corporate law, banking, and real estate. In her corporate practice, Wendy represents corporations, banks, and not-for-profits in various matters comprising finance, banking, real estate, labor, contract negotiations, and general corporate matters. Wendy is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut. 

Wendy is a graduate of Tufts University, B.A., cum laude, 1986; London School of Economics, Graduate Diploma, 1987; Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1991; Admitted 1992, Connecticut and New York; Specializes in Corporate and Contract Law, and Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law.

Email: wln@underweiser.com

Beatrice K. Underweiser joined the law firm in 1969. Beatrice specialized in trusts and estates law, planning and administration, tax, and general business law. Bea represented individuals in the planning of how to handle their assets, the drafting of wills and trusts, the distribution of assets, and the administration and probating of estates.

Beatrice also served as Deputy Mayor and Trustee of the Village of Scarsdale in New York. She also held the position of Police Commissioner and served on various committees and boards in the Village of Scarsdale. Bea was also a Trustee of the City University Construction Fund.

Bea was a graduate of Vassar College and the Columbia University School of Law. While at Columbia, she was a member of the school’s Moot Court Stone competition.

Jeffrey B. Underweiser specializes in corporate law, banking, and litigation. In his business and corporate practice, Jeff represents a broad base of institutional, corporate, and not-for-profit clients in matters involving general corporate, finance, banking, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property, labor, health care, and related litigations. 

As a corporate attorney, Jeff advises clients on how to resolve all problems facing their businesses, avoid litigation, prepare various agreements, and handle all aspects of commercial closings from a lender, seller, and buyer’s perspective.  In regards to litigation, Jeff has expertise in all phases of litigation, from pleadings to appeals. 

Jeff is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey Courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.