Robert D. Hooks

John Wells is a litigator and trial attorney at Lacy Katzen LLP in Rochester, New York, where he represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters. His practice includes Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. John regularly handles matters involving medical malpractice, personal injury, automobile accidents , nursing home negligence , and commercial, busin...

Kimberly Harding is an attorney in Nixon Peabody’s Labor & Employment group. Her practice is a hybrid of traditional labor relations, particularly in the health care and construction industries, and employment litigation and counseling for employers both large and small. Notably, Kim has significant experience advising employers and training employees on harassment prevention in the workplace, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement. What do you focus on? Labor Relations I c...

Rick’s practice is focused on representing companies and individuals involved in complex litigation matters. Rick is experienced in a variety of high-stakes litigation areas, including complex commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, securities claims and derivative litigation, fiduciary obligations, and corporate governance disputes. Rick has handled all phases of complex litigation from investigation through trial and appeal, as well as in arbitration and mediation. Ri...

Isaac Figueras is an associate in Nixon Peabody’s M&A and Corporate Transactions group. Isaac focuses his practice on business transactions and general corporate work. He has experience with private equity offerings and representing clients in transactions involving federal and state securities laws and regulations. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on corporate and finance matters. I assist companies with all aspects of entity formation and also have experience in drafting ...

Laura Smalley is committed to assisting clients in Pittsford, New York, with their technological development and safeguarding intellectual property rights. Her practice areas include Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Trademark Law. She has considerable experience in handling complex cases related to patent infringement, particularly in the fields of medical devices, electronic components, and imaging technology. Laura also aids in p...

Steven Nonkes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Steven, who practices law in Pittsford, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katie Baynes, a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Public Finance group, focuses her practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. She represents government authorities, issuers and underwriters in connection with project financings including stadiums and arenas as well as industrial development revenue bonds; college and university bonds; hospital, health care, and senior living bonds; and other exempt facility bonds. What do you focus on? Project Finance I have been ...

Jared Lusk is a partner in our Real Estate practice group and the Managing Partner for the Rochester office of the firm. The primary focus of his practice is real estate development and municipal law, including planning and zoning. What do you focus on? Land Use/Development I enjoy representing a wide variety of landowners, developers, municipalities, retailers, public utilities, wind and other energy producers throughout New York State. Having formerly served as town attorney managing land u...

James Locke is a business lawyer with experience in a wide range of business law matters. He has been the lead attorney on large public company mergers and on numerous asset and stock acquisitions and dispositions of public and private companies. Mr. Locke is also engaged in counseling boards of directors of public companies, in representing clients with respect to continued compliance with federal securities laws, and in certain venture capital and other financings, including those in the te...

Scott Piper serves clients with a comprehensive background in private practice and in-house counsel, focusing on labor and employment litigation in Pittsford, New York. He collaborates with employers on various labor and employment law issues, handling complex employment class actions to litigation covering workplace disputes, such as unlawful termination claims, discrimination, harassment, and matters involving unpaid wages or benefits. Scott Piper also represents clients before administrati...