As an associate with a focus in civil litigation, as well as labor and employment, Anna counsels clients in a variety of areas. In the labor field, she counsels clients on the development of employee policies, union relations, wage and hour issues, discipline and termination decisions, discrimination and harassment claims, and employment contract disputes. Anna has keen eye for detail, which benefits her clients when she drafts litigation papers or conducts discovery for clients who face employment-related lawsuits and administrative proceedings. Anna also assists with the development of clients’ affirmative action programs and in ensuring compliance with employment-related federal and state regulations.
In addition to her work with the labor and employment group, Anna supports clients that are involved in business-related disputes, including breaches of contract and issues of premises liability. She regularly drafts pleadings, motion papers, and settlement agreements on behalf of her clients.
Outside of her work in litigation, Anna is well-versed in the legal aspects of cybersecurity for business. She counsels clients from many industries on best-practices for maintaining compliance with federal and state cybersecurity regulations, including breach preparation, privacy notifications, and security of information systems. In the event of a breach, she assists clients in responding to breaches of data security.
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Member, New York State Bar Association (NYSBA)
- Member, Bar Association of Erie County (BAEC)
- Member and Employment Law Committee Chair, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), Western New York Chapter
- Board Member, National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York
Honors & Awards
- Recipient, “Up and Coming Attorneys” Award, The Daily Record, 2019
- Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2018
- "Top 8 Finalist," The Frederick Douglass 2015 National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition
- Recipient, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction Award for Academic Excellence in the following classes: Family Law, 2014; Healthy Homes Legal Practicum, 2014; Public International Law, 2013
- Semifinalist, SUNY Buffalo Law Desmond Moot Court Competition 2013
- Recipient, Buffalo Human Rights Center Summer Fellowship, 2013
- Executive Publications Editor, Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, SUNY Buffalo Law School
Publications
- Managing Editor, Privacy and Data Security blog, Harter Secrest & Emery
- Contributor, Labor and Employment blog, Harter Secrest & Emery
- Co-Author, "Civil Appeals in New York: Oral Argument, Disposition, and Motions for Reargument in the Fourth Department," Thomson Reuters Practical Law, April 4, 2016
Presentations
- Presenter, “Employment Litigation War Stories and How to Avoid Them," Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 26, 2018
- Presenter, "Risks Associated with Criminal Conviction Records in Employment" webinar, Harter Secrest & Emery, August 15, 2017
- Co-presenter, "Cybersecurity and Your Business," Eyes on the Future Radio Show-Greater Rochester Enterprise, August 12, 2017
- Co-presenter, "Employee Handbooks Should be Living Documents, Not Cookie Cutter," Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 5, 2017
- Presenter, "Summary of Employment Laws (ADA, ADEA, WARN, OWBPA, FMLA, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, Pregnancy Discrimination and Title VII)" and "NLRB Obligations and Compliance," National Business Institute, November 16, 2016
- Co-presenter, "Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action in Higher Education," Harter Secrest & Emery Higher Education Institute, August 2, 2016
- Presenter, "Shifting Standards for Joint Employment Liability" and "Tips and Strategies for Effective Communications with Administrative Agencies," Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, June 21, 2016
Admissions
- New York
Clerkship
- Erie County Family Court Judge Sharon LoVallo
Education
- SUNY Buffalo Law School, J.D., cum laude
- Wellesley College, B.A.