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Excellence in Law
Date & Time
Event Location
The Excellence in Law Awards recognizes the various ways legal professionals make outstanding contributions to their organizations and work to make the Rochester community stronger.
Awards Celebration
June 4, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
123 E Main Street
Rochester, NY 14604
Agenda:
11:30 AM – General Networking Reception
12:30 PM – Lunch and Awards Celebration
Reserve Your Sponsorship Today
Sponsorship benefits include a table for your guests, the right to use the event logo, multimedia marketing opportunities and much more depending on the sponsorship level you choose. This event is limited attendance. If seats are available after the sponsorship deadline, a limited number of individual tickets will go on sale. Tables are only available with sponsorship.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
If you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected].
What is the nomination process and the steps to take?
Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.
In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.
We also recommend submitting up to three letters of recommendation to https://rbj.net/letters-of-recommendation-submission-form/ by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.
Nominee must be employed in one of the following counties: Monroe, Ontario, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and/or Wayne.
How can I or my organization be considered for Excellence in Law?
While anyone can nominate, we recommend nominations come from a senior leader in the organization. It is then required that the nominee go through the entire application process, please see above response for more details on that.
What are the judges looking for when selecting Excellence in Law honorees?
It is essential that the candidate or organization has made a significant impact in which legal professionals work to make our community stronger in the Western, NY area. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to this.
Can I save the nomination or application forms while I’m working on them?
Yes, you can. Please reach out if you encounter any issues.
If I’m an honoree, do I need to purchase a ticket?
You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself if you are an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Please, note that all RBJ events are limited attendance based on location. Honorees and sponsors are guaranteed tickets. Individual tickets will only go on sale if space is available after sponsorship deadlines.
What is included in sponsorship packages?
Sponsorship opportunities to include a table for your guests, multimedia marketing, logo usage and much more depending on the level your company selects. For more sponsorship information and benefits please contact your account manager or email [email protected].
Can I buy an ad in the publication?
Please contact Suzanne Fischer-Huettner to place an add or purchase a sponsorship package.
What are the categories?
See below:
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) — Honors attorneys and others in our community who excel at alternative dispute resolution and are able to help parties avoid costly litigation.
LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATOR — Honors administrators who do outstanding work to help their law firms succeed.
LAW FIRM DIVERSITY — Honors law firms that have shown success in hiring diverse candidates for both associate- and partner-level roles.
LAW FIRM INNOVATION — Honors law firms that have taken innovative steps to move forward and stay ahead of trends in what clients are looking for from their legal representation.
PARALEGAL — Honors paralegals who do outstanding work to help their law firms succeed.
TOP WOMEN IN LAW — Recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of female attorneys who are making notable contributions to the legal profession while inspiring positive change in the community.
If you still have additional questions or concerns, please email [email protected]
2026 Excellence in Law Honorees
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Hon. Carol E. Heckman (Ret.), Lippes Mathias LLP
Law Firm Administrator
Samir Cortes, Harris Beach Murtha
Lyndsay Houle, Connors & Ferris
Jenessa Santos, Lippes Mathias LLP
Law Firm Diversity
Connors & Ferris
Paralegal
Heather Clarke, Lippes Mathias LLP
Carol Cross, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Lea A. Herald, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Christine Norton, Faraci Lange, LLP
Kathleen O’Brien, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY
Dorothy Smyth, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Top Women in Law
Vivian Aquilina, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY
Taylor Baker, University of Rochester
Kelley Ross Brown, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Natasha Burdick, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY
Amanda Burns, Hodgson Russ LLP
Stephanie Hoppe Fedorka, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck, and King, PLLC
Katherine Jost, FIFCO USA
Lesley Niebel, Faraci Lange, LLP
Bridget O’Toole, Heath & O’Toole PLLC
Heather CM Rogers, Harris Beach Murtha
Trini Ross, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Kari Talbott, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
Click here to view past honorees – RBJ Award Database
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