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Legal Excellence Awards
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Event Location
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.
This event is limited attendance and will sell out. Tables were only available with sponsorship. A limited number of individual tickets are now available for $200.
Awards Celebration
October 5, 2023
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
123 East Main Street
5:00pm – Registration and General Network Reception
6:00pm – Dinner and Awards program
All and any dietary restrictions must be emailed to [email protected] by Sept. 25, 2023.
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]
2023 Honorees
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
Steven V. Modica
Modica Law Firm
CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES
Mary Beth Conway
JustCause
Ariel Cruz
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester
IN HOUSE COUNSEL
Jared Olson
L3Harris
LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATOR
Kristie Ball
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Jamie Page
Harris Beach PLLC
Johanna Winter
McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, PC
LAW FIRM DIVERSITY
Harris Beach PLLC
LEADERS IN LAW
Katherine H. Karl
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Laura Linneball
Wilder & Linneball, LLP
Jill Paperno
Empire Justice Center
Amber Peshkin
Wesley Clark and Peshkin
Amy Reichhart
Lippes Mathias
Michelle Schwach
NYS Unified Court System
Sheldon K. Smith
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Erika N.D. Stanat
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Michael F. Buckley
Boylan Code LLP
Greg Connors
Connors & Ferris
Anna E. Lynch
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Karen Morris
Brighton Town Court; Monroe Community College
PARALEGAL
Pauline Kiser
Xerox Office of General Counsel
Stephanie Koszelak
Wesley Clark & Peshkin
Heidi Leisten
Boylan Code LLP
Susan Matthews
Harter Secrest & Emery
Allyn Van Dusen
Harris Beach PLLC
PRO BONO EXCELLENCE
Erin E. Elmouji
Weaver Mancuso Brightman PLLC
Joseph Wilson
Barclay Damon
UP AND COMING LAWYERS
Teagan C. Dolan
Faraci Lange
Kristen M. Dombroski
McConville Considine Cooman & Morin P.C.
Ericka B. Elliott
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Stephen Fantuzzo
Nixon Peabody LLP
Jenny Holmes
Nixon Peabody LLP
Nicole K. Intschert
Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department
Jonathan R. Jasinski
Harter Secrest & Emery, LLP
Robert J. Marks
Boylan Code LLP
Ibrahim Tariq
Harris Beach PLLC
Erin Train
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Andrew M. Washburn
Underberg & Kessler LLP
Kristin F. Zimar
Harter Secrest & Emery
Past Honorees
Nominations for this awards event have closed. Nominations for 2024 will re-open on October 6, 2023. Thank you and we look forward to your future nomination!
Please reach out to rbjev[email protected] if you have any additional questions.
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