Amanda Burns

Listen to this article

Partner,
Hodgson Russ LLP

Years in current role: 1

What is your biggest professional goal for the rest of this year?

In January 2024, I joined Hodgson Russ LLP along with my colleagues from the Rochester office of Ward Greenberg. The transition to a larger platform offered a wealth of support for our litigation group and clients. My plan for the rest of the year is to focus on embracing the change and additional support since it will allow me to better serve my clients, as well as provide more time for mentoring and a presence in the community.

What do you expect to be the biggest challenges for the legal industry locally in the near future?

The pandemic had a significant impact on the way in which we were practicing law. As a result, a number of lawyers left private practice and those who remained often practiced from home. I think it is important that we reestablish our sense of community, especially for the sake of the younger generations of attorneys. Collaboration is so important for a successful and positive career in litigation.

What are your favorite aspects of the types of law you practice?

Building connections with clients and being able to help them navigate challenging circumstances. The prospect of being involved in litigation is stressful regardless of whether you are suing or being sued. Therefore, being able to remove the uncertainty in the process and aid them in finding an efficient resolution is a driving factor as to why I decided to be a litigator.

What is your favorite time of year in the Rochester region and why?

Summer is my favorite time of year in Rochester. There is a different buzz here when the warm weather finally arrives. I love to spend the summer outside as much as possible — dining on patios, strolling on the canal, hiking and watching the wildlife on our pond.

What career do you think you would have if you weren’t a lawyer?

This is a tough one since I announced that I wanted to be a lawyer in elementary school and never once deviated from that plan. If I had to pick another career though, I’d open a restaurant and wine shop with my husband, who (thankfully) is a chef. We visited a place like this in Maine and often think about the hospitality and happiness that we found there.

This profile is part of our Litigation Power List for 2024. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at nydailyrecord.com.