Big law doesn't usually like change. You've got the mahogany desks, the hushed hallways in downtown skyscrapers, and a general vibe that "this is how we've done it since 1875." But Nixon Peabody Rochester NY recently decided to blow that stereotype apart. They didn't just change their wallpaper; they packed up a century and a half of history and moved it to a tech-forward hub in Victor.
It was a bold move. Honestly, it's the kind of thing that makes people in the legal industry whisper. Why leave the traditional center of the city?
The firm, which has roots stretching back 150 years in the Flower City, traded its long-time home at Clinton Square for a sleek, collaborative 50,000-square-foot space in High Point Business Park. This isn't just about a shorter commute for some partners. It’s a signal about where the Rochester economy is actually heading: toward renewable energy, AI, and modern healthcare.
The New Face of Nixon Peabody Rochester NY
If you’re looking for the office today, don’t go to the old downtown address. They are now located at 211 High Point Drive, Suite 110, Victor, NY 14564.
Under the leadership of Jared C. Lusk, the office managing partner, the Rochester branch has leaned hard into the "future-focused" mantra. Lusk himself is a heavy hitter in real estate and municipal law, frequently appearing on "Power Lists" for his work in sustainable development.
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The new office houses over 60 attorneys and a total staff of around 260. It’s a massive operation. But what do they actually do there? While they handle the standard corporate "big law" stuff, the Rochester office has carved out some very specific niches that matter to the local economy.
- Renewable Energy and SEQRA: They are deep into the weeds of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). If someone is building a massive solar farm or a wind project in Upstate New York, there’s a good chance a Nixon Peabody attorney is handling the zoning.
- Healthcare Compliance: With the Rochester region being a healthcare hub (think URMC and Rochester Regional), the firm’s healthcare group, including specialists like Scott Simpson, stays busy with "Certificate of Need" (CON) revisions and dental hygiene practice expansions.
- Labor and Employment: This is a big one. Kimberly Harding and Eric Paley are local names you’ll see constantly in the rankings. They deal with everything from ERISA (employee benefits) to those confusing New York labor law updates that seem to drop every December.
Why the Regional Rankings Actually Matter
You see firms brag about "Tier 1" rankings all the time. It usually feels like white noise. However, for Nixon Peabody Rochester NY, the 2026 Best Law Firms® rankings actually tell a story of where their expertise is concentrated.
They aren't just a satellite office for a Boston or NYC firm. The Rochester office holds its own in:
- Commercial Litigation: Basically, when big companies sue each other over broken contracts.
- Real Estate Law: This covers everything from the High Point development itself to affordable housing projects.
- Trusts and Estates: Led by experts like Stephanie Seiffert, this group handles the wealth management side of Rochester’s old and new money.
It's kinda interesting—they’ve managed to keep that "white-shoe" prestige while operating out of a space that looks more like a tech startup.
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Notable Names in the Hallways
If you’re dealing with the firm, these are some of the people driving the strategy:
- Lori B. Green: A powerhouse in M&A and corporate transactions. She’s often the go-to for cannabis practice questions too, which is a wild new frontier for traditional firms.
- Carolyn G. Nussbaum: She handles the high-stakes "Bet-the-Company" litigation. If a major Rochester corporation is facing a shareholder derivative suit (like the ones Kodak or Bausch & Lomb have faced in the past), her name is usually on the docket.
- Erik A. Goergen: Focuses on complex commercial disputes and has been involved in high-level appeals that set precedents in New York law.
The Local Impact: More Than Just Lawsuits
People often forget that Nixon Peabody is one of the largest employers in the region that isn't a hospital or a university. By keeping their "hub" here, they’ve anchored a lot of professional talent that might otherwise flee to Manhattan.
They’ve represented local giants—think Constellation Brands, Corning, and Gannett. When Constellation makes a massive move in the beverage industry, the legal architecture is often designed right here in Rochester.
But it’s not all billion-dollar deals. The firm does a surprising amount of pro bono work. They’ve historically helped with everything from domestic violence protection teams to asylum cases. It’s a bit of a "checks and balances" thing—using that high-end legal muscle for people who normally couldn't afford a $700-an-hour partner.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Big Law in Rochester
There’s a misconception that you only call a firm like Nixon Peabody if you’re being sued for millions. That’s not really how it works anymore.
A lot of their work is "preventative law." They are helping local startups navigate venture capital rounds or advising developers on how to get tax credits for historic rehabilitation. They basically act as the "outside general counsel" for businesses that are too big for a solo practitioner but not big enough to have a 20-person in-house legal department.
The 2026 landscape for New York businesses is messy. Between new transparency acts and shifting environmental regulations, the "DIY" approach to business law in Rochester is becoming a recipe for a lawsuit.
Actionable Steps for Local Businesses
If you're looking to engage with Nixon Peabody Rochester NY or a similar top-tier firm, don't just cold call the front desk and ask for "a lawyer." You've got to be strategic.
- Identify your "Bucket": Are you looking for Transactional (contracts, M&A) or Litigation (disputes)? The firm is siloed into these departments.
- Check the Power Lists: Look at the Rochester Business Journal or Best Lawyers to see which specific attorney handles your niche. If you're doing a solar project, you want Jared Lusk, not a trusts and estates person.
- Prepare for the "Conflict Check": Big firms represent everyone. Before they can even talk to you about your case, they have to run your name through a database to make sure they aren't already representing the person you're mad at.
- Leverage the New Tech: Their Victor office is built for hybrid collaboration. If you're a remote-first company, ask about their virtual "deal rooms" and electronic closing capabilities. They’ve invested heavily in the tech so you don't have to drive to Victor for every signature.
Ultimately, Nixon Peabody’s move to High Point wasn't a retreat from the city—it was a repositioning. They are betting that the next 150 years of Rochester business won't happen in a basement in the city center, but in the collaborative, high-tech spaces where law and innovation actually meet.
To get started, businesses should audit their current compliance status—specifically regarding the New York 2026 employment law updates—and schedule a consultation with a practice-specific lead to ensure their 2026 roadmap is legally sound.