Philip L Burke

Partner, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Years in current role: 40 +

What do you enjoy most about your position?

Working with a great group of people in our Trusts and Estates Department. All the staff, paralegals and attorneys work together to provide the best possible service to our clients.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the year?

Continue to coordinate our teams’ responses to clients, improve efficiencies and mentoring processes.

What are the biggest current challenges in trusts and estates law?

Lack of familiarity with T&E law and practice. Many law schools no longer even have courses related to trusts and estates law and practice. Consequently, finding younger attorneys who not only have an interest in this area but who also have some educational and/or practical experience is becoming more and more difficult.

What do you think the biggest change in your practice area will be over the next 3-5 years?

Artificial intelligence. This may seem like the answer “du jour” but one cannot escape all the hype and publicity being given to this. It remains to be seen if AI will have any significant impact on T&E practice since it is such a “personal” area of the law.

What do you enjoy most about practicing law in the Rochester area?

The broad range of services needed to be provided to clients in this area — from “simple” plans to complex tax-related matters. The planning required by the Rochester community is as broad and diverse as the community itself.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Power List for Trusts & Estates for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list here.