Kevin Ryan

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CEO,
Monroe County Bar Association

Years in current role: 8

What do you expect to be the biggest challenges for the legal industry locally in the near future?

The departure of my generation of lawyers is creating serious challenges. Law firms struggle to find as much legal talent as they need, for the number of new lawyers entering the market falls short of what is needed to replace those who are leaving the practice. With fewer lawyers to go around, firms in a city like Rochester find that young talent is drawn to bigger cities and the higher-paying jobs that can be found there. In addition, the new generation comes to the profession with markedly different expectations and career goals. Living in two-professional households, with the attendant challenges of childcare, many are less interested in partnership and more committed to work-life balance. We must adapt quickly. Can we do it and still serve the needs of our region’s population?

What is your favorite time of year in the Rochester region and why?

Summer and fall tie as my favorite times of year. Rochester comes alive in the summer, with festivals, a thriving foodie culture, music, art, baseball — so many of the good things in life right here in our city. Our region is beautiful in summer, green, alive with flowers, buzzing with life of all kinds. During the summer, many people seem more relaxed and all come outside to walk, run, play golf, sit at cafe tables, hang out on the porch. Fall is long and lovely, displaying the natural beauty of our region in a new key. Outside life continues, while our outstanding arts organizations kick off their seasons and the Bills take the field. A marvelous city I am happy to call my home.

What career do you think you would have if you weren’t a lawyer?

I would have been — in fact, I was during my “first” career — a college professor. I have always loved reading, thinking, writing and teaching. Even today, I look forward to — and get great joy and relaxation from — reading philosophy, great literature, history (especially Roman and medieval history), and, yes, legal and constitutional theory. I presently teach at two outstanding local institutions: St. John Fisher University and Nazareth University. I love the interaction of the classroom. I love the hours of preparation that make that interaction most successful. I enjoy watching young minds struggle with difficult ideas and young faces brighten with enlightenment. As I move toward retirement, in fact, I hope to focus more time and attention on these very activities.

This profile is part of our Labor & Employment Law Power List for 2024. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.