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Legal Excellence Awards
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With the Legal Excellence Awards, The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal pay tribute to all the ways in which legal professionals work to make our community stronger.
Nomination deadline: June 28, 2023
Application deadline: July 12, 2023
SAVE THE DATE
Oct. 5, 2023
Dinner event – Details to be announced soon
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 do also suggest that up to three letters of recommendation be sent to [email protected] 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.
How can I or my organization be considered for the Legal Excellence Awards?
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 the Legal Excellence Awards 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 Greater Rochester 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?
Unfortunately, at this time you cannot, but we’re working to fix that. In the meantime, we suggest either filling out the forms on a separate sheet of paper and/Word Doc first or be prepared to spend some time in the form.
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.
CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES — Honors attorneys from area civil legal services.
IN HOUSE COUNSEL — Honors companies’ in-house counsel for the critical role they play in making their companies successful.
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.
LEADERS IN LAW — Honors attorneys and judges who have shown tremendous dedication to the legal profession and selfless, tireless commitment to the community.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT — Honors lawyers whose careers have helped shape the legal landscape in the Rochester area and who have shown longstanding commitment to the community.
PARALEGAL — Honors paralegals who do outstanding work to help their law firms succeed.
PRO BONO EXCELLENCE — Honors attorneys who contribute a significant number of hours to Pro Bono work in the community.
UP AND COMING LAWYERS — Honors attorneys who have been admitted to the bar for 10 years or less and demonstrate professional accomplishment, community service and a strong commitment to the legal profession early in their careers.
If you still have additional questions or concerns, please email [email protected]
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
Theodore Baum
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP
CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES
Vivian M. Aquilina
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester
IN HOUSE COUNSEL
Tiffany D’Angelo
Allstate Insurance
Shannon L. Hillier
Livingston County
Robin Stein
Morgan Properties
LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATOR
Christopher Gill
Nixon Peabody LLP
Lyndsay Houle
Connors & Ferris, LLP
Nicole J. O’Brien
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
LAW FIRM DIVERSITY
Hurwitz Fine P.C.
LEADERS IN LAW
Maritza Buitrago
Seventh Judicial District, Monroe County Family Court
Jeffrey J. Calabrese
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Kelly Gotham
NYS Unified Court System
Grace M. Hanlon
Office of Court Administration
John G. Horn
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Svetlana Ivy
Harris Beach PLLC
Jason Livingston, Esq
Law Offices of Pullano & Farrow
Kevin Joseph Mulvehill
Phillips Lytle LLP
Seema Ali Rizzo
Gallo & Iacovangelo LLP
Mark Whitford Jr.
Barclay Damon LLP
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Donald O. Chesworth
Tully Rinckey PLLC
Ann E. Evanko
Hurwitz Fine PC
Thomas A. Fink
Davidson Fink LLP
PARALEGAL
Nicole Harris
Law Offices of Pullano & Farrow PLLC
Carla Penazek
Harris Beach PLLC
Julie Wallace
The Zoghlin Group, PLLC
Erin A. Warr
Zea Proukou PLLC
Debra L. Williamson
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
PRO BONO EXCELLENCE
Leah T. Cintineo
Underberg & Kessler LLP
UP AND COMING LAWYERS
Taylor L. Baker
Goldberg Segalla LLP
Natasha Burdick
Legal Aid Society
Serena M. Compitello
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Elizabeth Curwin
Manning & Napier
Ninteretse Jean Pierre
Nixon Peabody LLP
Sean McCabe
Harris Beach PLLC
Lakeshia McCloud
Legal Assistance of Western NY Inc.
Senovia M. Moncada
University of Rochester, Office of Equity & Inclusion
Sarah A. Pellerin
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Lydia M. Rainey
Wesley Clark & Peshkin LLP
Glenn R. Schieck
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Jessica Simon-Rutledge
City of Rochester
Past Honorees
Click the link below to nominate:
Nomination Form
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