CELEBRATINGCELEBRATING 125 125YEARSYEARS PAGE 8 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS JUNE 7, 2019 Harter Secrest & Emery LLP marks 125 years

Harter Secrest & Emery Managing Partner Craig S. Wittlin, seated left, with the Management Committee, from left, Partner Thomas J. Hurley, Partner Jerauld E. Brydges, Partner Kelly A. Pronti and Partner Joseph G. Casion. Photo credit: Kate Melton

represents a number of high-quality national private equity funds and startup venture capital funded com- Lockstep compensation system key to success panies across state, and that practice area is growing steadily. “Even though we’re headquartered in Rochester, BY BENNETT LOUDON The higher education practice represents nearly all The key to the longevity for Harter Secrest & Emery the private colleges in the Rochester area, in addition with a big base of operations in Buffalo as well, we LLP has been a concerted effort to maintain the cul- to another half dozen across the state, Wittlin says. are fast becoming a very nationally regarded, well-re- ture and values that have symbolized the firm since it “The firm has represented institutions of higher spected brand in the private equity and venture capital was founded in 1894. education for decades in the myriad areas of legal community,” Wittlin says. “I think we’ve done a very careful and deliberate complexity that are both unique to higher education The firm’s securities practice continues to grow job over five, six, seven generations of lawyers to hire and that are similar to other not-for-profit organiza- very dynamically and now represents about 16 publicly people who would be mindful of that culture and tions,” says partner Theresa A. Conroy, who leads the held companies, handling their securities work. mindful of that legacy and work hard to try to sustain higher education practice. The intellectual property litigation practice area has it,” says managing partner Craig S. Wittlin. “Where before attorneys in many practice groups been another strength for the firm over the past sev- The 125th anniversary is a milestone a lot of busi- somewhat independently provided legal services to eral years. And employee benefits is another signature nesses don’t get to, Wittlin notes. colleges and universities, over the course of the past practice area for the firm. “It has an awful lot to do with the people who came 15-plus years, we worked to create a comprehensive Many bigger law firms handle employee benefits coun- long before me and built the foundation and a firm and and interdisciplinary practice group to serve the legal seling as part of their M&A practice, where they advise a culture that was able to be sustained,” he says. needs of the higher education sector,” she says. companies on combining benefit plans for two merging “At the end of the day, our ability to stick around The firm’s government and internal investigations prac- companies. But those law firms often don’t also provide that long has been a function of having really good tice has also experienced significant growth. That practice everyday counseling on employee benefits issues. clients, really loyal clients, and being able to play a role area involves representing companies that are in regulated The collegial atmosphere that differentiates Harter in our communities,” Wittlin says. industries that are subject to government investigations. Secrest is largely a function of the firm’s “lockstep” Today, Harter Secrest has 16 practice groups and The private equity and venture capital practice has compensation structure. many more practice areas. become a signature area for the firm. Harter Secrest Continued on page 10 Ad concept by Patricia Epps Planting seeds for the future Helping clients open doors for over 100 years.

Founded by two attorneys 125 years ago, Harter Secrest & Emery is now firmly rooted in five offices across New York State with nearly 130 attorneys serving clients across the country. This year, we proudly celebrate our past as we plant the seeds for our future, just as we did in 1894: by putting our clients’ interests first, caring for our colleagues, and serving our communities.

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CELEBRATI NG 125 YEARS

ROCHESTER | BUFFALO | ALBANY | CORNING | NEW YORK CITY 1600 Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, NY 14604-2711 Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

sowing seeds 125th.indd 1 5/29/19 11:34 AM PAGE 10 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS JUNE 7, 2019

tracti ng new talent. For Wadsworth, the lockstep system was important From page 8 more because of the broader consequences than the “In our business, that means that our partners Partner Jeff rey A. Wadsworth joined Harter Secrest compensati on system itself. don’t get paid, at any level, based on how much aft er working at Gibson Dunn and Crutcher in Wash- “What I saw was a place where there was litt le business they originate, or how much business they ington, D.C. Wadsworth’s wife is from Rochester, and in-fi ghti ng, where there is a lot of collegiality,” Wad- control,” Witt lin says. when their son was about 6 months old they decided sworth says. “We share the pie very equally. That is a culture to move to Rochester to raise their family. “It wasn’t competi ti ve internally and there was a lot you would have seen very frequently in the 1940s “I was really struck in that fi rst interview with how of opportunity for the more junior lawyer to get into and ‘50s, and maybe into the ‘60s. But you see it very comfortable I felt talking to the people that were here. court, to have meaningful client interacti ons,” he says. infrequently now,” Witt lin says. And when I heard about the kind of work they were “We don’t have people looking over their shoul- Because everyone is getti ng paid the same, based doing, and that it was sophisti cated, that it was high- der worried that the person in the offi ce next to on their length of service at the fi rm, the att orneys end work that was interesti ng and with really good them is kind of coming aft er their clients or coming are cooperati ng and sharing opportuniti es and not clients I was even more intrigued,” Wadsworth says. aft er what they take home at the end of the year,” competi ng for clients. “This was a place that I could see myself coming Wadsworth says. While other fi rms are trying to decide how they will to and staying for the rest of my career, kind of laying “It’s a much more trusti ng place, and it’s a place divide revenue and who ought to get credit for par- down roots here in Rochester,” Wadsworth says. where we truly do respect everyone’s input and view- ti cular pieces of business, Harter Secrest lawyers are Julia E. Green, another Harter Secrest partner, is point on whatever we’re working on because we know discussing which partner or associate is best qualifi ed originally from Syracuse. She earned her undergrad- that it’s important to have everyone get that opportu- to handle a parti cular project. uate and law degrees in Boston, where she worked nity and to serve the clients’ needs,” he says. before coming to Harter Secrest. “It’s very simple. It’s very elegant and, for us, it works There is a defi nite sense of community and ti es to She joined the firm in 2006, working in environ- incredibly well. It drives everything we do,” he says. Rochester that permeates the fi rm. mental litigation, but she is now a higher educa- For clients, it means they get the best lawyer in the “Everybody here has made a conscious decision tion lawyer. fi rm for their needs. to raise their families, put down roots, in upstate New Partner Brian M. Feldman, a Rochester nati ve, also “What we hear … is that the kind of service that York,” Witt lin says. joined the fi rm in 2011, aft er he started a family. He they get from us feels very diff erent. They can tell that Most of their job candidates have a family con- had been living in Brooklyn and working as an assistant we are truly collaborati ng, that we are not inhibited in necti on to Rochester, Buff alo or a smaller community any way from saying, ‘Let me get my partner, or this U.S. Att orney in New York City. nearby, or they have a spouse who grew up in the associate, in this parti cular practi ce group, involved Feldman was impressed by the lockstep compensati on area, or they have some other connecti on, such as because he or she is the right expert to be dealing with system and the opportuniti es he’s been able to pursue. att ending college in the area. the problem,’ ” Witt lin says. “I’ve had the ability to have a very diverse practi ce Att orneys at Harter Secrest are encouraged to give The lockstep system has been a key factor in at- that I fi nd really sati sfying,” Feldman says. back to the community by off ering their pro- fessional skills to nonprofi t organizati ons. The fi rm has a committ ee that focuses on getti ng att orneys involved in community organizati ons, helping them to join boards in volunteer roles. “Some people are passionate about a cer- tain cause, so they’ll just fi nd it. Others want to be more involved, so we try to seek out those opportuniti es for them,” says partner Joseph G. Casion. “That group is also in charge of providing fi nancial support from the fi rm to a number of community organizati ons,” says Casion, who is vice chair at Foodlink, treasurer for the Al Sigl Foundati on, and immediate past chair at the Friendly Home. “Everybody wins. You get to do some- BAC G K HARTER SECREST & EMERY thing you’re passionate about, the organiza- IN From left , namesake partners Donald R. Harter, Richard B. Secrest and R. K ti on gets the benefi t of your experti se, and O Clinton Emery. Harter joined the fi rm in 1942, Secrest in 1949 and Emery in

O you get to go meet people,” he says.

L 1954. The fi rm became Harter Secrest & Emery in 1975. Casion says such work is a professional S responsibility. R A E “We’ve been given this training. We’ve Y E T H been given this skill set and I feel an obliga- HR H T OUG ti on to share it,” Casion says. [email protected] / (585) 232-2035

Congratulations to Harter Secrest and Emery LLP on your 125th Anniversary! We are honored to partner with oury attorneys to fulfill our mission in our community. Inform Yourself trilliumhealth.org | 585.545.7200 ...by starting your personal subscription to Rochester’s all-business newspaper Call 585-546-8303 or visit rbj.net JUNE 7, 2019 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS PAGE 11 Midtown, Museum of Play and national pastimes Harter Secrest & Emery’s partnerships have helped shape Rochester community

BY CHRISTINE G. ADAMO siderably with 126 attorneys, 15 the firm developed a connection to Nathaniel Foote and James paralegals and 101 staff members some of the most important proj- Havens opened a law partner- serving clients via offices in Roch- ects and organizations in Rochester. ship in the Ellwanger & Barry ester, Albany, Buffalo and beyond. Building, one of “The transformation from MIDTOWN PLAZA Rochester’s first being a large firm with a bunch of After studying in Virginia, “Ren- skyscrapers, in small clients to a large firm with ny” Bowers became an associate 1894. Ultimately, a considerable number of large at Strang, Wright, Combs, Wiser & it became Harter, clients eventually came to pass,” Shaw, a predecessor of HSE. Made Secrest & Emery says W. Reynolds Bowers of Harter a firm partner in 1969, he served LLP. In the 125 Secrest’s history. “At that point in as managing partner from 1984 to years since, the time, the firm really, really took off.” 1989 and from 1995 until he retired W. Reynolds firm has grown its By 1970, it was one of Roches- in 2001. Harter Secrest helped plan Midtown Plaza, pictured above Bowers practice con- ter’s largest. And over the years, Continued on page 12 and below, and moved its offices there in 1968. File photos PAGE 12 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS JUNE 7, 2019

From page 11 “I was trying to plan out where I’d sett le to start my career,” says Bowers. “At the ti me, Midtown was Margaret Woodbury Strong, below, hired Donald R. receiving … nati onal press (due to) Harter to manage her estate. The fi rm helped The the uniqueness of the project. All in Strong preserve and use her gift s to become the iconic all, it seemed like a city I should take museum it is today. Photos provided by The Strong a look at.” Midtown’s architectural plan, by Victor David Gruen, depicted retail space, offi ces, an upscale hotel, a 1,843-space garage and more—un- der one roof. “Our fi rm was inti mately involved in the planning of Midtown under the directi on of C. Vincent Wiser,” says Bowers. He did “the real estate work: guiding, assembling and The joint venture was announced in acquiring the (60 to 70) parcels of land January 1958, opened as the nati on’s comprising the seven acres upon which fi rst indoor urban shopping mall in April the project was constructed.” 1962 and closed in July 2008. Anchor “Richard B. Secrest (led) formation stores included Alti er’s, B. Forman Co., and structuring of Midtown Holdings McCurdy & Co. and . The U.S. Corp., the legal entity its founders— Postal Service, Lincoln Rochester Trust the McCurdys and Formans—incorpo- Co., Trailways and service fi rms were also rated to own Midtown Plaza. We had occupants. The property was managed represented the McCurdy family for by the late Angelo Chiarella for 35 years. many years. So, when they conceived of this project with the Forman broth- THE MUSEUM OF PLAY Reti red HSE Partner Alan Illig—who ers, they naturally turned to our legal joined the fi rm in 1959 and practi ced counsel.” unti l 2000—calls Harter Secrest’s “Wiser was so (highly) regarded for connecti on with the Museum of Play a his real estate acumen,” adds Bowers, “warm, symbioti c” relati onship. Muse- “that it became a happy marriage: his um of Play Past President & CEO G. Rol- experti se along with their vision and lie Adams’ own two adjecti ves to sum entrepreneurial desire to … resuscitate a up Illig’s infl uence were: “competence decaying downtown.” and genti lity.” Like many urban hubs in the 1950s, Museum founder Margaret Wood- he says, Rochester’s was “in rough bury Strong, whom Adams calls “in- shape.” From the federal level on down, teresti ng and eccentric,” built a huge urban renewal via condemnati on or collecti on over her life that was the basis eminent domain was seen as a panacea for the museum. to urban decay. Yet, with few excepti ons, “She was not only an avid collector,” the Midtown project was privately con- says Adams. “She was a habitual collector ceived, negoti ated, built and funded. (of) things that primarily were related to “Most of the (U.S.) urban renew- play. Though no one talked about them al that followed,” says Bowers, “was in those terms then, that (led to) the predicated on governmental acti on and Nati onal Museum of Play. Without what a combinati on of federal, state and local Margaret left and without what Harter funding.” Secrest helped us do in uti lizing those In its heyday, he recalls, Midtown was funds—saving, preserving and using them a “heady” place, intoxicati ngly grandiose wisely—we wouldn’t have (a museum).” given its impressive mezzanine, Top of the Strong died in 1969, having already Plaza bar oft en “three-deep in people,” hired fi rm Partner Donald R. Harter to knack for att racti ng talent (i.e., Count handle her trust and estate matt ers. His Basie, Buddy Rich, Sarah Vaughan), indoor team, Illig included, managed her assets fountains and holiday festi viti es. and launched the museum as a legal and “It was a fun place to go and meet a business enti ty. with friends,” Bowers reminisces.

The leadership team and staff of Trillium Health congratulates Leslie M. Connolly, Partner, Harter Secrest and Emery LLP on being named a 2019 Excellence in Law Award Recipient and one of our region’s Top Women in Law! As our former Board Chair, you are an inspiration to all of us for your many years of dedicated service to our organization and our community, helping to ensure health equity for all.

trilliumhealth.org | 585.545.7200 JUNE 7, 2019 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS PAGE 13

With verbal commitments from founding trustees, the museum incorporated in 1968, hired its fi rst director in 1972 and opened public- ly in 1982. Adams took over, as its third director, in 1987 and stayed on nearly 30 years. Prior to, he worked for the Louisiana State Museum, Buff alo and Erie County Historical Society and American Associati on for State and Local History. “Harter Secrest was a full-service law fi rm, (that) advised us about all manner of things,” notes Adams. Eventually “trademarks became very important, as the museum grew and added programmati c acti viti es. In additi on, he says, someone might call up and say they were a long-lost cousin and “would like some of what Margaret left behind. Generally, Alan (handled) that. I’d call him and say, ‘There’s another!’ He’d look into it – and make it go away.” “She had a very interesti ng will,” recalls Illig. “It was quite unusual. She named, as her ex- ecutors, her ‘favorite’ bank and Donald Harter, who by then had become a personal friend as well as her lawyer.” Aft er nearly 50 acres of Rochester real estate and properti es in Maine were deeded over and cash gift s disbursed, the residue of the estate (some $70 million) was left for exec- G BACK utors to distribute to the Margaret Woodbury IN K Strong Trust to provide long-term fi nancial O support for The Strong and to 19 chariti es O which received $1 million each. L

S Harter Secrest “played a key role in the R A FIRM AND FAMILY E acti viti es and the health of the museum from Y E The fi rm’s att orneys and their wives pose for a picture in the 1950s. the get-go,” emphasizes Adams, “which is why T TH HROUGH The fi rm was called Strang, Bodine, Wright & Combs from 1942 unti l the museum stayed with them. They were not 1953, when it became Strang, Wright, Combs, Wiser & Shaw. only ‘competent’ but familiar (with) what we were trying to do.” Conti nued on page 14

CONGRATULATIONS!

We are in awe of your 125 years of service to the community. Thank you for our great partnership! PAGE 14 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS JUNE 7, 2019

From page 13 the Red Wings from 1929 to 1996. The Strong holds the most com- In 1968, it was renamed for Nao- Harter Secrest helped prehensive and largest collecti on of Rochester Community mi’s father, Morrie, who organized play-related arti facts and documents Baseball negotiate a new a $500,000 communitywide stock in the world, says Adams, and is lease for the Rochester sale to buy the team. The club then the only collecti on-space museum Red Wings to play at moved to Fronti er Field, which devoted solely to the state of play. in 2018. offi cially opened July 11, 1996, with Provided photo a Beach Boys concert. In February ROCHESTER RED WINGS On a sunny 2018, the team signed a 10-year day in May, as the lease with Monroe County. team prepped for “This was a very important a home game, two (piece of) Red Wings history,” says key fi gures in the Silver. “We worked very closely and fi rm’s involvement for a very long ti me to hammer with the Rochester out the details. I trust Dan implic- Red Wings shed itly. He’s always represented us Dan Kinel light on this pairing: well. The conclusion, fortunately, Harter Secrest Partner Dan Kinel is something we both felt a strong and President & CEO Naomi Silver desire to (get right), as there was an for Rochester Community Baseball, awful lot at stake here beyond the Inc. The Red Wings had formerly use of the stadiums.” received counsel from reti red Harter “I literally lost sleep,” Kinel Secrest Managing Partner Nathan concedes. “I felt a lot of personal “Nick” J. Robfogel. responsibility to have the legacy “One of the great things about the of the Red Wings team (remain) ball club is that it brings people to- in Rochester. When we signed gether,” says Kinel. “All kinds of people that lease and Naomi announced from (all) backgrounds. Not only does it, it felt like a win for the whole it provide entertainment and whole- someness, it’s affi liated with a number community.” of causes … to literally (embody) this “This is certainly more than a busi- great American pasti me.” ness relati onship,” adds Silver. “When “This community (has) been very you work with people for such a long supporti ve,” says Silver, showing “its period of ti me and on a (range of) support in an unprecedented fashion.” issues, you really become friends.” A Norton Street ballpark built Christi ne Adamo is a Rochester- by the St. Louis Cardinals housed area freelance writer.

G BACK IN K O

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Sweeteners Plus L

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R A E Congratulates Y E T TH HROUGH Harter Secrest FIRM HEADQUARTERS & Emery LLP The fi rm opened in 1894 as Foote & Havens. It was based th in the Ellwanger on your 125 year. & Barry Building (pictured at right) in the Four Corners neighborhood of , the fi rst of the fi rm’s six locati ons: 1901 - Building 1911 - 1015 Union Trust Building 1936 - 1968 - Midtown Tower 2001 - Bausch & Lomb Building

5768 Sweeteners Blvd∙ Lakeville, NY 14480 Phone 585-346-2318 ∙ Fax 585-346-2310 www.sweetenersplus.com JUNE 7, 2019 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS PAGE 15

The Harter Secrest & Emery Health Care Group includes, back row, from left, Associate Maura C. McGuire, Partner Joseph G. Casion, Group Leader Richard T. Yarmel, Senior Associate Laura K. Schwalbe, Counsel Scott R. Simpson, Partner F. Paul Greene, front row, from left, Partner Ross P. Lanzafame, Associate Rayza R. Santiago, and Senior Associate Ted Townsend. Photo credit: Kate Melton Medicaid litigation an example of firm’s commitment to fairness in health care

BY AMARIS ELLIOTT-ENGEL Medicaid reimbursement system in New York, winning Pinnacle started with a health care accountant who With 70 percent of residents in long-term care facilities important decisions in favor of nursing homes and worked with at least 30 facilities, Lanzafame says. “He receiving Medicaid, New York’s Medicaid reimbursement winning over $750 million in judgments or changes in said to my partner [C. Richard Cole] at the time, ‘Some- system is of paramount importance to that industry, says the Medicaid rate system, according to the firm. thing is funny here. They put this new adjustment in and Harter Secrest & Emery Partner Ross P. Lanzafame. The federal case of Pinnacle Nursing Home v. all of our facilities are losing money for Medicaid and we Without fairness in the reimbursement rates, “the Axelrod became a model for other states to chal - can’t figure out how the state’s math works for it.’” facilities can’t remain in business,” Lanzafame says. lenge Medicaid reimbursement rates, says Lanzaf- What was going on was that New York had adopt- Harter Secrest has been at the forefront of rep- ame, who has been counseling nursing-home clients ed a reimbursement system in which facilities would resenting long-term care facilities in challenging the since the 1980s. Continued on page 16

LSI SOLUTIONS® would like to congratulate Harter Secrest & Emery, LLP on their 125th anniversary. PAGE 16 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS JUNE 7, 2019

From page 15 The result was that higher-cost residenti al nursing The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit no longer be reimbursed based upon the average home faciliti es would benefi t at the expense of low- upheld Telesca’s decision on appeal. wage rate for the nursing-home employees in one er-cost faciliti es, Lanzafame says Then Harter Secrest, on behalf of over 200 long- of each of the 16 regions that New York was divided “This adjustment was intended to equalize costs,” term care faciliti es, had to turn to state court to get up into. Then in 1987, New York proposed to change Lanzafame says. “It eff ecti vely became a Robin Hood their rates actually adjusted in the wake of Pinnacle. that method to a reimbursement based upon actual except it was a reverse Robin Hood, taking from low- That was because the 11th Amendment bars fed- reported wages. er-cost homes to higher-cost homes,” Lanzafame says. eral courts hearing most lawsuits brought by private In 1989, U.S. District citi zens, including barring a federal judge from order- Court Judge Michael A. ing a state government to make a payment to a private G BACK Telesca ruled in Pinnacle citi zen, Lanzafame says. IN K that New York had not ade- In 1994, the New York Court of Appeals ruled in O quately justi fi ed its reasons Matt er of Avon Nursing Home v. Axelrod that the O L FOUNDING FATHERS for making the change as nursing homes were enti tled to have their rates for Nathaniel Foote, left , and James S. S required by federal Medic- the years in dispute recalculated in the wake of the R A Havens founded Foote & Havens in E aid regulati ons. He granted Pinnacle liti gati on. Y 1894. Foote served as the fi rst elect- E injuncti ve relief. Liti gati on regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates T TH HROUGH ed president of the Rochester Bar “Plainti ff s have been then changed when states no longer had to justi fy the Associati on (now the Monroe County reimbursed for over two reasons for their parti cular reimbursement methodol- Bar Associati on) in 1895. Havens years under the 1987 ogies to federal regulators, Lanzafame says. became the fi rst General Counsel of Adjustment,” Telesca But Harter Secrest sti ll found a way forward to aid clients. Eastman Company in 1917. wrote. “Under the 1987 The Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division Adjustment, plainti ff s have 3d Department, ruled in Matt er of St. James Nursing had to reduce their staff s, Home v. De Buono that New York was using a “sta- increase the charge for ti sti cally invalid and, thus, unreasonable formulati on services to non-Medicaid of the relati onship between Medicaid revenue and pati ents, and severely cur- nursing home costs.” tail capital improvement Harter Secrest also has led a series of rates appeals projects. … Money dam- and sought a writ of mandamus to get an answer on ages alone cannot com- those appeals aft er years-long delays in getti ng an pensate for its deleterious answer from the state, Lanzafame says. eff ects on plainti ff s’ staff s That led to the state agreeing to pay out a fi xed and physical plants which, amount to all involved. in turn, inevitably impact Lanzafame notes that the Medicaid liti gati on demon- upon the pati ents, who are strates a hallmark of Harter Secrest’s work on complex the intended benefi ciaries areas of law. Subject-matt er experts like Lanzafame of both these faciliti es partnered with liti gati on experts like Thomas G. Smith in and the enti re Medicaid a cross-departmental team to best represent clients. program.” Amaris Elliott -Engel is a Rochester-area freelance writer. JUNE 7, 2019 ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL / HARTER SECREST • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS PAGE 17 Harter Secrest forms lasting relationships ◆◆◆ ◆◆◆ ◆◆◆ ◆◆◆ ◆◆◆

Joe Mike Bob Ross Casion McRae Woodhouse Lanzafame

BY VELVET SPICER “That’s our philosophy,” Lanzafame says. “So we provide played an important role in ensuring that disti ncti ve Harter Secrest & Emery LLP’s long history in Roch- legal staff that will give the best service to the enti ty, wheth- arrangement—which allows St. Ann’s to off er conti nuity of ester is undoubtedly impressive, but perhaps even er it’s me or somebody else. We focus on training young care across each of its off erings—would work, McRae says. more remarkable is the history it has with its clients. associates so that they can carry the mantle forward.” “We wouldn’t have been able to do that without “This is one of the things I ’m the most proud of,” HSE Part- When Lanzafame was hired at Harter Secrest in Harter Secrest setti ng this up for us,” he said. ner Joe Casion says. “I think it speaks volumes about our 1986, a more senior att orney had been serving on the Lanzafame, who has had family members in some of fi rm and our culture that these relati onships can be main- board at St. Ann’s Community, another long-ti me client. St. Ann’s faciliti es, says he enjoys working with nonprof- tained and handed off from generati on to generati on.” Lanzafame was asked by that att orney to do some col- its because of the uniqueness of their requirements. In G.W. Lisk Co. Inc., the 110-year-old Ontario County lecti on work on behalf of St. Ann’s and before long he many cases, nonprofi t agencies are starti ng something manufacturer of solenoids and fl ame arrestors, has been became the lead lawyer for the Rochester nonprofi t. from scratch, something that rarely has been done a Harter Secrest client for more than half its existence. “We integrate people all along the way,” Lanzafame before, which gives Lanzafame and other att orneys at Harter Secrest captured Lisk’s business in 1953, following explains. “Which is how I got involved.” Harter Secrest an opportunity to stretch their wings. Clinton Emery’s arrival at the law fi rm, which at the ti me During Lanzafame’s tenure at Harter Secrest, St. Ann’s “They’ll come to us and we’ll help them work was known as Strang, Wright, Combs, Wiser & Shaw. has had three presidents and CEOs, but the close connec- through a corporate structure to achieve the end (goal), “The story was that Bob Nicholson was the accoun- ti on between the two organizati ons has remained. the regulatory framework that they’re in,” he says. tant from Deloitt e and Touche, and (Lisk) needed an “There’s this saying about history: If you don’t know What impressed Lanzafame when he came to Harter att orney so he recommended Clint Emery,” says Lisk where you’ve been, you don’t know where you’re going. Secrest is the view that clients are clients of the fi rm. Chairman Bob Woodhouse. You can’t be as crisp and clear,” St. Ann’s CEO Mike “Other fi rms have the mindset that this is my client. It’s a As both the law fi rm and the manufacturer aged, McRae says. “What’s fabulous about this relati onship diff erent view,” he says. “We view the clients’ needs as para- new generati ons led each business. Emery had worked with Harter is that they understand our history, they un- mount. That’s probably why we have a number of multi -gen- closely with the Morris family, who were descendants derstand some of the fundamental building blocks that erati onal clients. Otherwise when the att orney leaves the of Lisk’s founder, George Washington Lisk. Emery were in place 20, 30 years ago and what we’re trying to client then has no history, no connecti on, no affi nity.” eventually handed the reins of the Lisk business to Jeff do today and how we’re building upon those building [email protected]/585-653-4021/ Bowen in the early 1980s, who was followed by Casion blocks. So you don’t have to, in essence, start over. You @Velvet_Spicer roughly six or seven years ago. already have that strong foundati on.” Long-term relati onships like that are important, but Harter Secrest has helped St. so is consistency, Woodhouse says. In fact, Emery was Ann’s in a number of diff erent areas. on Lisk’s board of directors for some ti me prior to his The law fi rm reviews contracts for death in 2016. Bowen then was named to Lisk’s board constructi on, insurance payers, health and remains a director of the company. care enti ti es and more. BREAKING “It’s nice to have that familiarity,” Woodhouse “You can imagine a health care orga- NEW GROUND says, off ering an observati on of the seamless nature in nizati on is like its own mini city,” McRae Maureen T. Alston which Harter Secrest handled its changing of the guard says. “We have contracts that just tran- was elected as the from Emery to Bowen to Casion. “I have to think, even scend just about every facet of society fi rm’s fi rst female though they don’t say so, they match personaliti es of that you can think of and they are very managing partner att orneys with how they’ll deal with certain clients. I integral in making sure in 2004. She served think they did a good job picking Joe for us.” that our interests are well G BACK N in that role for eight Casion says that’s Harter Secrest’s culture. represented.” I K years. “We view these as long-term relati onships. That’s Additi onally, when St. O O how we’re successful, if our clients are successful,” Ann’s chose to employ its L

Casion adds. “The longer the relati onship, the bett er.” own medical providers S R A Harter Secrest Partner Ross Lanzafame says those long through a private practi ce E Y relati onships work because the law fi rm views its cli- that is owned by the E T TH ents as clients of the fi rm, rather than att orney clients. physicians, Harter Secrest HROUGH