Nancy A. McKinley

Rochester Business Journal Staff//July 25, 2025//

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Partner, Chair
Trusts & Estates Department, Lacy Katzen LLP

Years in current role: 26 years practicing/Partner since 2021/Chair since 2022

What is one legal issue or trend you’re keeping a close eye on this year?

I am paying attention to the Federal estate tax exemption, which is scheduled to sunset at the end of this year, meaning that the current estate tax exemption will revert to its pre-2018 level in January 2026 unless Congress acts to extend or modify the exemption.

How does the Rochester community influence your work or professional philosophy?

I have been invested in the Rochester community since I moved here in 1998. I volunteered on the Lawyers for Learning Committee and mentored at School 29. I was on the board of the Rochester Education Foundation and Shepherd Home. Throughout my years here I have met wonderful people who give back to the community in many different ways. That volunteer work has influenced me to continue to work in this community and to give back when I can. From a work perspective, I strive to meet the needs of the community in providing compassionate and caring legal services to clients who are going through the worse time of their lives when they are dealing with a loss of a loved one or sick family member, or a client struggling with the decisions of who to leave their estates to.

What’s your ideal way to spend a weekend in the Finger Lakes or Western New York?

My husband and I live in the Finger Lakes region and are able to enjoy the region all year long. We look forward to taking our boat out on Conesus or Canandaigua Lake in the summer and I enjoy shopping at the shops in Canandaigua around the holidays. In late winter/early spring we tap our own maple trees and make our own maple syrup, which has become a family event with my brother, his family and my stepson helping.

This profile is part of our Trusts & Estates Power List for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.