Top 8 Law Firms In Rochester
By Jordan Patel | Published: 2025-03-17 | Category: Law Firms
About Law Firms In Rochester
Law firms provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses across various practice areas, navigating complex legal systems. They assist clients with litigation, transactions, regulatory compliance, and personal legal matters.
How We Evaluated
Firms were evaluated based on public data including client reviews, ratings, practice area specialization, and reported office locations. The assessment considers overall reputation and client feedback within the Rochester area.
Rating Criteria
- → Client Ratings & Reviews
- → Practice Area Breadth
- → Reported Client Communication
- → Community Reputation
The Best Law Firms In Rochester
McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C.
Visit Website →A well-respected Rochester firm providing a range of legal services to businesses, individuals, and families.
Target Audience
Individuals, Families, Small to Medium Businesses
Service Offerings
Estate Planning & Elder Law
Wills, trusts, probate, Medicaid planning.
Real Estate Law
Residential and commercial transactions, zoning.
Business Law
Formation, contracts, succession planning.
Personal Injury
Representing accident victims.
Family Law
Divorce, custody, support matters.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Fee structures depend on the practice area (e.g., hourly for business, flat fee for estate planning, contingency for personal injury).
Pros
- + Offers a good balance of services for both individuals and businesses.
- + Strong focus on estate planning and elder law.
- + Established local presence and reputation.
Cons
- - May not have the same depth in highly specialized corporate areas as the largest firms.
- - Fewer public reviews than some high-volume specialists.
Verdict
"A solid choice for individuals, families, and small businesses seeking reliable legal services, particularly strong in estate planning and real estate."
Harris Beach PLLC
Visit Website →A major multi-practice law firm with a strong New York presence, offering sophisticated legal services to businesses, public sector entities, and individuals.
Target Audience
Businesses, Municipalities/Public Sector, Educational Institutions, Individuals
Service Offerings
Corporate Law
Business transactions, governance, mergers and acquisitions.
Public Finance & Economic Development
Counseling government entities and developers.
Labor & Employment
Management-side labor relations and employment litigation.
Litigation
Wide range of commercial and civil litigation.
Energy & Environmental Law
Regulatory compliance and project development.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rates
Predominant model for business, litigation, and regulatory work.
Project-Based Fees
May be available for specific, well-defined projects.
Pros
- + Extensive practice area coverage with significant depth in specialized fields.
- + Large firm with substantial resources and statewide reach.
- + Strong reputation in business, municipal, and energy law.
Cons
- - Fewer publicly available individual client reviews compared to consumer-focused firms.
- - May have a higher cost structure.
- - Focus is heavily weighted towards corporate and institutional clients.
Verdict
"A powerhouse firm ideal for large organizations, businesses, public entities, and complex matters requiring specialized, high-level legal counsel."
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Visit Website →A large, full-service law firm with a long history in Rochester, serving businesses and individuals across many practice areas.
Target Audience
Businesses, Financial Institutions, Individuals, Families
Service Offerings
Business and Finance
Corporate law, banking, finance, creditors' rights.
Litigation
Commercial disputes, insurance defense, general litigation.
Real Estate
Commercial and residential real estate transactions and development.
Trusts & Estates
Estate planning, administration, and related litigation.
Personal Injury
Representation for injured individuals.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Utilizes hourly, flat fee, contingency, and retainer structures depending on the legal matter.
Pros
- + Very broad range of legal services.
- + Deep roots and strong reputation in the Rochester community.
- + Significant resources and large team of attorneys.
Cons
- - Slightly lower average rating compared to some top-ranked specialists.
- - As a large firm, may feel less personal for smaller individual cases.
Verdict
"A reliable, established full-service firm suitable for complex business needs and diverse individual legal requirements."
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Visit Website →One of Rochester's largest and most established law firms, providing comprehensive legal services, particularly strong in business and corporate law.
Target Audience
Businesses (small to large), Corporations, Institutions, Individuals (often high-net-worth)
Service Offerings
Corporate & Business Law
Mergers & acquisitions, securities, general corporate counsel.
Litigation
Complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes.
Labor & Employment
Counseling employers on compliance and representation in disputes.
Real Estate
Development, financing, leasing, and transactions.
Trusts & Estates
Sophisticated estate planning and administration.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.6 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rates
Common for corporate, litigation, and advisory work; rates vary by attorney experience.
Retainers
Often required for ongoing representation or large matters.
Pros
- + Extensive range of practice areas and deep expertise, especially for business clients.
- + Large team of experienced attorneys.
- + Strong reputation in the Rochester business community.
- + Highly regarded for tech startup legal services.
Cons
- - Fewer public reviews compared to consumer-focused firms.
- - Likely higher cost structure compared to smaller firms.
- - May be less focused on smaller individual legal matters.
Verdict
"A premier choice for businesses, corporations, and complex legal matters requiring significant resources and specialized expertise."
Lacy Katzen LLP
Visit Website →A full-service law firm offering a wide range of legal services to individuals and businesses.
Target Audience
Individuals, Businesses, Families
Service Offerings
Personal Injury
Representing injured clients.
Business Law
Counseling businesses on formation, transactions, and litigation.
Estate Planning & Probate
Assisting with wills, trusts, and estate administration.
Real Estate Law
Handling residential and commercial property transactions.
Family Law
Addressing divorce, custody, and other family matters.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.5 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Offers various fee structures (hourly, flat fee, contingency) depending on the practice area.
Pros
- + Broad range of practice areas serving diverse needs.
- + Established firm with a long history in Rochester.
- + Generally positive client feedback across different services.
Cons
- - Some mixed reviews regarding communication or specific case handling.
- - As a larger firm, may have higher overhead costs reflected in fees for some services.
Verdict
"A versatile, full-service firm suitable for clients needing expertise across multiple legal domains."
The Law Office of James L. Riotto
Visit Website →Primarily focused on criminal defense and traffic ticket litigation, with a high volume of positive reviews.
Target Audience
Individuals facing criminal charges, Drivers with traffic violations
Service Offerings
Criminal Defense
Representation across a spectrum of criminal law matters.
Traffic Ticket Defense
Assisting clients with speeding tickets and other traffic violations to minimize points and fines.
DWI Defense
Handling cases involving driving while intoxicated.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Fees likely structured based on the complexity of the case (flat fee, retainer).
Consultation
Initial consultations are generally available.
Pros
- + Strong average rating with a very large number of reviews.
- + Specializes effectively in criminal and traffic law.
- + Many clients report successful outcomes, particularly with traffic tickets.
Cons
- - Some negative reviews mention communication and professionalism issues.
- - Limited scope outside of criminal and traffic defense.
Verdict
"A strong option, particularly for traffic ticket defense and general criminal matters, supported by extensive client feedback."
King Law: Criminal Defense & Personal Injury Firm
Visit Website →Specializes in criminal defense and personal injury, recognized for vigorous representation and client support.
Target Audience
Individuals facing criminal charges, Accident Victims
Service Offerings
Criminal Defense
Defending clients against various criminal charges, from misdemeanors to felonies.
Personal Injury
Representing individuals injured in accidents.
DWI/DUI Defense
Specialized defense for driving while intoxicated charges.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.5 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Pricing likely involves flat fees or retainers for criminal defense, and contingency fees for personal injury.
Consultation
Consultations typically offered to discuss case specifics.
Pros
- + Excellent client ratings and strong testimonials.
- + Dedicated focus on criminal defense and personal injury.
- + Known for keeping clients informed and providing robust defense.
Cons
- - Focused practice areas may not suit all legal needs.
- - Niche focus compared to full-service firms.
Verdict
"Highly recommended for individuals needing strong criminal defense or personal injury representation."
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Horn Wright, LLP, Attorneys at Law
Visit Website →A highly-rated firm specializing primarily in personal injury cases, known for strong client advocacy.
Target Audience
Individuals, Accident Victims
Service Offerings
Personal Injury
Representation for clients injured due to negligence, including car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace incidents.
Litigation
Handling lawsuits and fighting for clients' rights in court.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.6 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Contingency Fee
Typically charges a percentage of the settlement or award in personal injury cases; no fee unless successful.
Consultation
Initial consultations are often free for personal injury matters.
Pros
- + Exceptional client ratings (5.0/5.0 based on numerous reviews).
- + Strong focus and expertise in personal injury law.
- + Positive testimonials regarding professionalism and communication.
Cons
- - Practice areas seem primarily focused on personal injury.
- - May not be suitable for clients needing diverse legal services (e.g., business law, family law).
Verdict
"Top choice for personal injury representation in Rochester, backed by outstanding client satisfaction."
Final Recommendation
Rochester offers a diverse legal landscape, from highly specialized boutiques focusing on personal injury or criminal defense to large, full-service firms catering to complex business needs. Client ratings are generally high, especially for firms concentrating on specific individual needs like personal injury and criminal defense. Larger firms provide extensive resources and breadth but may come at a higher cost.