Profile

Laura is a versatile commercial and employment law litigator. She represents mid-market companies and large organizations across a variety of industries in matters integral to business operations. Clients rely on Laura’s strategic and tactical skills to align dispute resolution approaches with short- and long-term corporate goals. She provides risk avoidance counseling to clients to avoid costly adversarial situations and is experienced in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration and mediation.

Laura has successfully represented clients in straight forward as well as complex legal actions involving breach of contracts related to company operations, partnerships, confidentiality, licensing of intellectual property, sales of services and goods pursuant to the UCC, trade secrets, lease and real property disputes, as well as claims including breach of fiduciary duties, accounting, constructive trust and other business torts. Drawing on her experience as a commercial litigator, Laura advises in-house counsel and executive management teams on employment matters, including charges filed with the EEOC and the New York State Division of Human Rights and employment-related litigation involving the alleged violation of state and federal laws, breach of employment contract and related tort claims. She also represents lawyers in malpractice and professional negligence claims. 

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Commercial Litigation

  • Represented a partner and a limited liability partnership in an arbitration proceeding involving breach of partnership agreement and breach of fiduciary duty resulting in a $1.5 million dollar arbitration verdict on behalf of our clients.
  • Successfully defended a preliminary injunction motion filed in federal court against our client in the event planning industry in Federal Court for Trademark Infringement and alleged breach of licensing agreement.
  • Won multiple preliminary injunctions for credit card processing company in the New York state Commercial Division to enforce contract terms pending duration of lawsuits.

Employment Litigation

  • Successfully defended Complaint for discrimination filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights, resulting in dismissal of Complaint in its entirety.
  • Represented a private research university in an age discrimination lawsuit resulting in the dismissal of the Plaintiff’s claims on summary judgment. 
  • Represented company in defending labor law claims brought by former employee, claim was settled in client’s favor.
  • Represented company in employment and shareholder dispute with former executive employee, successfully reaching favorable settlement and avoiding litigation.
  • Successfully obtained preliminary injunctive relief on behalf of employer requiring former employees to return confidential information taken prior to resigning from sales position.

Professional Liability Defense        

  • Represented a Global 100 law firm in a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit by former client, resulting in dismissal of lawsuit on summary judgment motion. 
  • Represented local attorney in breach of fiduciary duty claim, which resulted in settlement without payment by attorney.
  • Represented a Global 100 law firm and individual in a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit by former pro bono client, which resulted in favorable settlement on behalf of law firm.

General Litigation Matters

  • In numerous cases, obtained indemnification from utility client’s contractors and joint property owners for defending lawsuits brought by Plaintiffs for personal injuries and property damages.
  • Resolved petition filed against client in Surrogate’s court on behalf of client’s estate.
  • Successfully represented utility company in numerous lawsuits and settlements for property damage and personal injuries.

Honors

  • Listed in:
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Labor and Employment; Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2020-2025 (listed for 5 years)
    • Top Women in Law, The Daily Record, 2019
    • Forty Under 40, Rochester Business Journal, 2015
    • Emerging Bar Leader Award, Monroe County Bar Association, 2011
    • Up & Coming Attorneys’ Award, The Daily Record, 2010

Affiliations

  • Monroe County Bar Association
  • Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys

  • Let's Get Ethical: A Roundup of Common Ethical Pitfalls, University at Buffalo Law and Monroe County Bar Association, April 22, 2020
  • Shattered Glass: Women in Small Law Firms, Monroe County Bar Association, March 8, 2019
  • Nuts & Bolts of Depositions: Tips, Perspectives and Advice on Effective Deposition Practice, University at Buffalo and Monroe County Bar Association, March 13, 2018 
  • Got Civility? How to be Professional and Ethical in the Courtroom and Beyond, University at Buffalo Law School, June 14, 2017
  • Updates for the Practical Practitioner, Wolford Law Firm, March 10, 2017
  • Opening the Coalition on Pay Equity Toolkit, Rochester Women’s Network Annual Business Summit, September 28, 2016
  • New Uniform Procedures for Attorney Discipline in New York & Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls, University at Buffalo Law School and Monroe County Bar Association, May 2016

  • Co-Author, "You’ve Got Acceptance! First Department Holds That Email Containing Attorney’s Signature Block Constitutes a Signed Settlement," The Daily Record, August 9, 2021
  • “Boosting New York State’s Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program,” The Daily Record, December 6, 2018
  • “Mediation: The Alternative Dispute Resolution that Every Party Should Consider,” The Daily Record, November 8, 2018
  • “Pre-Litigation Mediation Clauses: The Alternative Dispute Resolution that Every Employer Should Consider,” Rochester Business Journal, October 5, 2018
  • “New York Paid Family Leave: What Every Employer Needs to Know,” Rochester Business Journal, April 4, 2018
  • “NLRB’s New Standard for Employee Handbook Policies,” The Daily Record, January 4, 2018
  • “Ban of Mandatory Arbitration Clauses Opens Doors to Class Action Lawsuits,” The Daily Record, August 3, 2017
  • “Court of Appeals Upholds Decision Denying NYC Qualified Immunity,” The Daily Record, February 2, 2017
  • “Court of Appeals Assigns Narrow Approach to Common Interest Privilege,” The Daily Record, July 7, 2016
  • “New York Passes Most Extensive Family Leave Policy in U.S.,” The Daily Record, May 5, 2016
  • “Enforcing Rules of Civility: Advice for New Lawyers,” The Daily Record, October 1, 2015
  • “U.S. Supreme Court Disregards EEOC Guidelines,” The Daily Record, April 2, 2015

  • Willow Domestic Violence Center, Development Committee Member (current)
  • Board Member, New York Kitchen (current)
  • Foundation Board of Monroe County Bar Association
    • Board Member, 2014-2020
    • Jazz for Justice Planning Committee Member, 2011-2014
  • Board Member, Rochester Housing Development Corporation, 2017-2020
  • University at Buffalo Law Alumni Steering Committee Member, 2008-Present
    • Co-Chair and CLE Program Co-Chair, 2009-2014
  • Member, Development and Gala Committees, Humane Society at Lollypop Farms, 2014-2016
  • Board Member, Coalition on Pay Equity, Rochester, 2014-2017
  • Member, Athena Award Development Committee, Rochester Women’s Council, 2013-2015
  • Pro Bono Attorney, Volunteer Legal Services Project