Experience Counts

Get The Personal Attention Your Case Deserves, Call

Our Attorneys

Legal Expertise That Matters, Personal Attention You Deserve

The Wolford Law Firm LLP in Rochester has the experience you need with more than 80 years combined experience in providing exceptional legal counsel to individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies. We achieve results in the matters of commercial and business litigation; employment and ERISA; professional malpractice; personal injury; among many others. Our team vigorously protects the rights of our clients because we understand the seriousness of the situation for you, your family, and your business.

Our Team

Michael R. Wolford, Partner

Email: mwolford@wolfordfirm.com
Phone: (585) 325-8008

Bio

Mr. Wolford has successfully represented clients throughout New York State in civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts. He served as Assistant United States Attorney for three years in the 1970s before spending 21 years as an associate and partner at Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle. He established the predecessor firm of Michael R. Wolford & Associates in 1993.

Mr. Wolford was President of the Monroe County Bar Association for the 2004-2005 term. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and past chair of the College’s Upstate New York Committee, past president of the Rochester chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and past chairman of the Monroe County Board of Ethics.

He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for “Bet-The-Company Litigation,” as well as Personal Injury Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation, Environmental Litigation and Municipal Litigation.

Mr. Wolford has served as an arbitrator and mediator of disputes submitted to him by judges and other attorneys and has lectured on trial practice to a number of community, business and professional groups.

Admissions

New York State Court
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court

Education

John Carroll University, B.S., 1963
University at Buffalo School of Management, M.B.A., 1965
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., 1968

Awards

The Daily Record Nathaniel Award – 1997
U.S. District Court Special Service Award – 2000
Monroe County Bar Association Adolph J. Rodenbeck Award – 2001
University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award – 2003
Rochester Black Bar Association’s Award for Commitment to Diversity – 2005
University at Buffalo Law School Students of Color Trail Blazer Award – 2009
Monroe County Bar Association Humanitarian Award – 2014
Bridge Building Award ; Rochester Black Bar Association – 2018
Thurgood Marshall Award from the Federal Bar Council of the Second Circuit – 2018

Speaking Engagements

Moderator, The Economic Decline of Legal Market Place: What, if Anything, Can Lawyers and Law Firms do About it, CLE, June 2017

Moderator and Chair, General Counsel Round Table, included general counsel from Constellation Brands, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and Paychex, November 2017.

Speaker, Arbitrations, Employment Law, Ethics, and a View From the Bench: Practical Considerations for In‐House Counsel, CLE presented by The Wolford Law Firm, April 2015

Moderator and Speaker, Justice Robert H. Jackson: Chief Prosecutor at Nuremberg, the Connections to Rochester & Related Topics, CLE presented by the Monroe Country Bar Association, October 21, 2014

Moderator and Speaker, come Inequality: Fact or Fiction. If Fact, What, If Anything, Can We Do About It?, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, May 16, 2014

Speaker, To Draft or Not to Draft…That is the Capacity Question, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, May 8, 2014

Speaker, Evidence Institute Part V: Real & Demonstrative Evidence, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, November 14, 2013

Speaker, From Arbitrations to Investigations: Practical Considerations for In-House Counsel, CLE presented by The Wolford Law Firm LLP, June 12, 2013

Moderator and Speaker, Gun Violence in America – What can we do about it?, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, March 21, 2013

Speaker, Ethical Principles for the Practicing Attorney, CLE presented by The Wolford Law Firm LLP, December 2, 2011

Speaker, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Update, CLE presented by the American College of Trial Lawyers, March 9, 2011

Moderator and Speaker, The Critical State of Access to Justice, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, June 10, 2010

Speaker, Evidence Institute Part V: Real & Demonstrative Evidence, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, May 19, 2010

Moderator and Speaker, How to Reach Potential New Clients, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, October 22, 2009

Moderator and Speaker, Practice Development in a Down Economy, CLE presented by the UB Law Alumni Association, May 14, 2009

Speaker, Practical Skills – How to Commence a Civil Lawsuit, CLE presented by the New York State Bar Association, June 6, 2003

Speaker, How to Try Damages – Cross-Examination of the Economist, CLE presented by the New York Bar Association, December 6, 2002

Speaker, Practical Skills – How to Commence a Civil Lawsuit, CLE presented by the New York State Bar Association, November 14, 2001

Moderator and Speaker, New York Appellate Practice and Procedure, CLE presented by the University of Buffalo Law School and UB Law Alumni Association, October 19, 2000

Speaker, Jury Selection & Jury Impact – “How To Win With Juries” – Civil and Criminal Trials, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, March 10, 2000

Professional & Civic Activities

Monroe County Bar Association
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association, Member
American Bar Foundation
New York State Bar Foundation

Publications

“Forced arbitration is under siege in U.S. like never before.” Rochester Business Journal. December 7, 2018.

“Is there an insurance investigation privilege?” The Daily Record. September 6, 2018

Donald Trump and his administration have generated a litigation explosion, The Daily Record, April 5, 2018

What law firms can do about a decade of decline for legal services, The Daily Record, June 9, 2017

Did election decide transgender restroom litigation?, The Daily Record, December 1, 2016

‘‘Deflategate’ may be pumped back to life, The Daily Record, March 5, 2015

Pre-action communications by attorneys are not cloaked with absolute immunity, The Daily Record, April 7, 2016

Hard cases may, indeed, make bad law, The Daily Record, April 7, 2014

NY Shield Law expanded geographically by COA, The Daily Record, January 2, 2014

Are attorneys for non-party witnesses ‘potted plants?’, The Daily Record, June 6, 2013

Can an attorney confer with his client during a deposition?, The Daily Record, November 1, 2012

Stand-your-ground or license to kill?, The Daily Record, April 5, 2012

When is a Contingent Legal Fee Unconscionable?, The Daily Record, October 6, 2011

Bright line rule on judge recusal about to be visible, The Daily Record, April 7, 2011

Work Product Doctrine Given New Life, The Daily Record, October 7, 2010

What’s Behind the ‘Citizens’ Brouhaha?, The Daily Record, February 4, 2010

Radical Activism from the Far Left, or Not?, The Daily Record, July 2, 2009

Can Teachers be Banned from Wearing Campaign Buttons?, The Daily Record, November 6, 2008

The Hetenyi Murder Trial: A Case for the Ages, The Daily Record, April 3, 2008

Robert H. Jackson the Man from Jamestown, The Daily Record, October 4, 2007

New OCA Rules on the Conduct of Depositions, The Daily Record, September 7, 2006

The Vanishing Trial – Can We Do something about it?, Voir Dire, Summer 2006

Vanishing Trials in Federal, State Courts: What Should the Legal Community Do?, The Daily Record, November 3, 2005

Standards of Civility, The Daily Record, December 4, 2003

Effective Cross-Examination, The Daily Record, May 8, 2003

Victoria Schmidt Gleason, Partner

Email: vgleason@wolfordfirm.com
Phone: (585) 325-8003

Bio

Ms. Gleason was admitted to practice in New York in 2010. She earned her law degree, cum laude, from the University at Buffalo Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from the University of Rochester. After law school, Ms. Gleason interned for two federal judges in the Western District of New York before joining The Wolford Law Firm.

Ms. Gleason represents clients in a broad range of litigation matters in both state and federal courts, including alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Gleason handles large-scale complex commercial litigation matters, general litigation matters and the defense and prosecution of personal injury matters.

Ms. Gleason is a long-standing and active member of the Monroe County Bar Association, currently serving on the Academy of Law and the Ethics Committee. She also previously served on the Executive Board and several committees of the Young Lawyers Section. Ms. Gleason is a member of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys and the SUNY Buffalo Law Alumni Association.

Ms. Gleason is a recipient of the Daily Record’s Up & Coming Attorneys Award.

Admissions

New York State Court
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Education

University at Buffalo Law School, J.D. 2009
University of Rochester, B.A. 2003

Speaking Engagements

Updates for the Practical Practitioner, CLE, speaker, March 2017

Commercial Division Rules: Past, Present, Future, In-house CLE, speaker, January 2017

What To Do When Facing a Grievance, CLE presented by the Young Lawyers Section and Ethics Committee of the Monroe County Bar Association, organized and chaired CLE, January 2013

Preparing for and Conducting the Deposition, CLE presented by the Young Lawyers and Litigation Sections of the Monroe County Bar Association, organized and chaired CLE, October 2012

Professional & Civic Activities

Monroe County Bar Association
Ethics Committee Academy of Law
Young Lawyers Section
Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys
SUNY Buffalo Law Alumni Association

Publications

“Deadline nears for employers to comply with new NYS sexual harassment laws.” The Daily Record. October 4, 2018.

“Supreme Court denies certiorari in case challenging California gun laws…” The Daily Record

“Dodge Cupid’s arrow when it comes to relationships with clients” The Daily Record

“Luxury versus a wholesale giant – Costco’s 20 million dollar mistake” The Daily Record

“Can Iron Man successfully fight off a copyright infringement action?” The Daily Record

“Imitation may not be the sincerest form of flattery,” The Daily Record

“Conflicts of interest: Avoiding repercussions of violating professional conduct rules,” The Daily Record

“Deciding Whether to Vaccinate or Educate,” The Daily Record

“Forum Selection Clauses: Pros and Cons,” The Daily Record

“Challenging the Credibility of a Handsomely Paid Subpoenaed Fact Witness at Trial,” The Daily Record

“Using a Website as Basis for Long-arm Jurisdiction,” The Daily Record

“A Look at Applications for Attorneys’ Fees,” The Daily Record

“Fee-splitting Without Client OK Can Short-Change Attorneys,” The Daily Record

“Want to Copy & Paste? It Could Cost You,” The Daily Record

“CPLR Section 214 v. Section 214-C,” The Daily Record

Laura A. Myers, Partner

Email: lmyers@wolfordfirm.com
Phone: 585-325-8000

Bio

Ms. Myers has successfully represented clients in both federal and state courts in a variety of litigation matters, with a focus in the areas of general, business and employment litigation. Ms. Myers is also experienced in mediation, arbitration and the resolution of business disputes without resorting to litigation.

Ms. Myers is actively involved in the community, receiving a number of awards for her contributions. In 2015, she won the Forty Under 40 Award from the Rochester Business Journal, in May 2011 she won the Emerging Bar Leader Award from the Monroe County Bar Association, and in July 2010 she won the Up and Coming Attorneys’ Award from The Daily Record.

While at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Ms. Myers served as an Articles Editor for the Buffalo Law Review, and the Executive Editor of the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal. Ms. Myers also received her M.B.A. while attending the University at Buffalo with a concentration in management consulting.

Admissions

New York State Court
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Ohio State Court
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D., M.B.A., 2005
State University of New York at Brockport, B.A. 2000

Speaking Engagements

Speaker, The Nuts and Bolts of Depositions: Tips, Perspectives, and Advice on Effective Deposition Practice, CLE presented on behalf of the University of Buffalo Law School and Monroe County Bar Association, March 2018

Speaker, Got Civility? How to be Professional and Ethical in the Court Room and Beyond, CLE presented by the University of Buffalo Law School, June 2017

Speaker, Updates for the Practical Practitioner, CLE presented by The Wolford Law Firm LLP, March 2017

Speaker, New Uniform Procedures for Attorney Discipline in New York & Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls, CLE presented on behalf of the University at Buffalo Law School and Monroe County Bar Association, May 2016

Speaker, From Arbitrations to Investigations: Practical Considerations for In-House Counsel, CLE presented by The Wolford Law Firm, June 2013

Speaker, The Do’s and Don’ts of Making a Good Impression in the Court Room, CLE presented by the University at Buffalo Law School, June 2012

Speaker, Understanding the Tripartite Relationship for the Insured, Insurance Counsel & Defense Counsel, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association and the University at Buffalo Law School, October 2010

Speaker, Reviving the Monroe County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Section, National Association of Bar Executives’ Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 2010

Speaker, Anatomy of a Lawsuit: Jury Selection in a Civil Case, CLE presented by the Monroe County Bar Association, May 2009

Professional & Civic Activities

Monroe County Bar Association Foundation, Board Member
Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys, Board Member
University at Buffalo Law Alumni Steering Committee Member, Past Committee Co-Chair
Rochester Housing Development Fund Corporation Board Member

Publications

“Boosting New York State’s certified minority and women-owned business enterprise program.” The Daily Record. December 6, 2018.

“Mediation: the alternative dispute resolution that every party should consider.” The Daily Record. November 8, 2018.

“Pre-Litigation Mediation Clauses: The Arbitration Dispute Resolution that Every Employer Should Consider,” Rochester Business Journal

“New York paid family leave: What every employer needs to know,” Rochester Business Journal

“NLRB’s new standard for legality of employer handbook policies,” The Daily Record

“Ban of mandatory arbitration clauses opens door to class action lawsuits,” The Daily Record

“Court of Appeals upholds decision denying NYC qualified immunity,” The Daily Record

“Court of appeals assigns narrow approach to common interest privilege,” The Daily Record

“NY passes most extensive Paid Family Leave policy in US,” The Daily Record

“Enforcing Rules of Civility: Advice for New Lawyers,” The Daily Record

“U.S. Supreme Court disregards EEOC Guidelines,” The Daily Record

“Court ‘Likes’ Service of Process Via Facebook,” The Daily Record

“When Choice of Law Provision is Not Enforceable,” The Daily Record

“Emerging Issues in Social Media Discovery,” The Daily Record

“New Tech Provides Opportunity, Challenges,” The Daily Record

Mary E. “Molly” Shepard, Partner

Email: mshepard@wolfordfirm.com
Phone: (585) 325-8004

Bio

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Shepard served as a law clerk to the Honorable Michael A. Telesca in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, where she handled a broad range of civil matters, including: employment discrimination claims, class action lawsuits, civil rights claims, ERISA claims, FLSA claims, FDCPA claims, securities and antitrust claims, trademark and copyright litigation, appeals from federal agencies, habeas corpus petitions, and diversity actions involving various state law claims.

Ms. Shepard began her career as an associate at Ropes & Gray LLP, in New York City, where she represented large-scale investment firms as well as national health care companies in both litigation and corporate matters.

Ms. Shepard earned her law degree, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 2009, where she was an Articles Editor for the Buffalo Law Review as well as a research and writing tutor. Ms. Shepard attended Colgate University, earning a B.A., cum laude, in International Relations and French.

Ms. Shepard is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association and is also a member of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. Ms. Shepard is a member of the Board of Directors of Epilepsy-Pralid Inc. Ms. Shepard is a Council Member for the University of Rochester’s George Eastman Circle and its Philanthropy Council, philanthropic groups dedicated to supporting the University of Rochester. Ms. Shepard formerly served as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Montessori School of Rochester. Ms. Shepard also served as an Associate Board member for Gilda’s Club Rochester, a national cancer support group, from 2010-2014.