New Commercial Litigation Law Firm Launches in Rochester
Leclair Korona Giordano Cole LLP, a new Rochester based litigation firm concentrating its practice in commercial, employment, securities, ERISA, insurance and personal injury matters, opens its doors November 1, 2007.
The founding members of the firm, Paul Leclair, Mary Jo Korona, Laurie Giordano and Steven Cole have teamed together to bring more than 70 combined years of commercial litigation experience to the firm. They were previously partners with Wolford & Leclair LLP and the new boutique firm has appointed Paul Leclair as its managing partner.
As Leclair explained, "we are excited to continue working together. Each of us brings considerable experience in practice areas that complement one another to best serve our clients as we offer a comprehensive set of litigation services," Leclair said.
Well respected in the Rochester legal community, Paul Leclair brings more than 20 years experience to the firm in areas including commercial, construction, toxic tort and personal injury matters. He has been selected as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" and a "Super Lawyer" for business litigation. He is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been invited regularly to speak in Russia on American trial techniques by the Russian American Rule of Law Consortium. A 40 Under 40 award winner, Leclair has also been honored by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York for his excellence in the representation of a pro bono client in a civil rights action.
Mary Jo Korona has been a part of Rochester's legal community since 1992 and focuses her work in commercial, employment and bankruptcy litigation. She has been selected as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for commercial litigation. Well respected and talented, Korona has been selected to serve as a member of the 7th Judicial District Attorney Grievance Committee and is active in several legal professional organizations. Korona frequently authors articles on litigation matters. A proud graduate of St. John Fisher College, Korona serves on the Advisory Board of the First Decade of Women at the College and she is a member of the Board of Directors of the St. John Fisher College Justinian Order.
Laurie Giordano, named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the New York State Bar Association in 2007, brings a decade of experience to the firm, concentrating her litigation practice in the areas of commercial, insurance and personal injury matters. She has been selected as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" in the area of insurance law. Her work also has been recognized with the "Up and Coming Attorney Award" from The Daily Record, and in 2005, she received both the Outstanding Young Lawyer and Chair of the Year Awards from the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. She is active in the legal community and has also been elected to serve as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees for the Monroe County Bar Association.
Steven Cole concentrates his practice in areas including securities, ERISA, shareholder and partnership litigation. His practice also includes trade secret and intellectual property litigation, employment litigation, and construction disputes. Cole brings nearly 20 years experience to the firm. He is an accomplished litigator with over 50 reported decisions over his distinguished career and he is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Prior to Wolford & Leclair, Cole served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, a role in which he was recognized with the Division’s "Outstanding Attorney Award." He frequently lectures and authors articles on various litigation topics and is active in the local and state bar associations.
The offices of Leclair Korona Giordano Cole LLP will be located temporarily at 39 State Street, Suite 500, until its new space is constructed at 150 State Street, Suite 300, the former IBM building. The firm’s web address is www.leclairkorona.com, and its main telephone number is 585-327-4100.
