-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 B7jAvSsy/lY2hYufGjBBm4ggyO05ycmwu6fuAqoaI1ZceCztwDIf8F8lf5d8u7Fi
 T3vPUyHk0AS9DBVdafQmHQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-08-003980.txt : 20080605
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-08-003980.hdr.sgml : 20080605
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080605102325
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-08-003980
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080603
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080605
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080605

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLIANCE FINANCIAL CORP /NY/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000796317
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				161276885
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 MADISON STREET
		STREET 2:		18TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SYRACUSE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			13202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		315-475-6703

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 MADISON STREET
		STREET 2:		18TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SYRACUSE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			13202

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CORTLAND FIRST FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OGDEN MARGARET G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242556

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15366
		FILM NUMBER:		08882121

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		215 SCOTTHULM BLVD
		CITY:			SYRACUSE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			13224
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3154889538
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000796317</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLIANCE FINANCIAL CORP /NY/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ALNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242556</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OGDEN MARGARET G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>215 SCOTTHOLM ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SYRACUSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>13224</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21.435</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.125</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>21.435</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2311.87</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Stock Unit is equal to one share of Alliance Financial Corporation stock.  Stock Units are payable in Common Stock upon the reporting person's termination of service pursuant to the Alliance Financial Corporation Stock-Based Deferral Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Judy A. Schultz as Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----