Lana K. Ivy

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Partner
Lippes Mathias LLP

Years in current role: 1

What is one legal issue or trend you’re keeping a close eye on this year?

The impact of AI on the legal field is definitely an intriguing issue law firms have to watch.

What skills do you think are most crucial for new attorneys entering the field today?

New attorneys must have strong research and writing skills, be thorough in their work, and adaptable to the needs of different matters, deadlines and client teams. Strong technical legal skills are undeniably important, but it is also crucial for attorneys to develop the ability to see how the litigation or transaction fits into the larger world in which the client lives in order to offer the most practical and efficient approaches and solutions.

What’s one misconception people often have about your area of law?

Sometimes clients are surprised when a litigation attorney discourages litigation, or they interpret that advice as a negative opinion on their case or position. Litigation is a way to resolve disagreements and, in certain circumstances, it is the only way and you should have the best attorney you can get on your side. But litigation is expensive, time-consuming, oftentimes unpredictable, and a protracted proceeding can strain the internal resources of a company. The quality, experienced commercial litigators not only advise clients on the legal issues and risks, but also on what litigation is anticipated to entail, the different ways it could play out, and potentially available options to resolve the dispute without litigation.

How does the Rochester community influence your work or professional philosophy?

Our firm hires attorneys and staff with the expectation that they are committed to and want to be part of the local community, which would not be necessarily true if Rochester were a larger and more transient city. We train and invest in people for the long term. The size and collegial culture of the Rochester legal community also positively impacts the day-to-day professional experiences of local attorneys.

What’s your ideal way to spend a weekend in the Finger Lakes or Western New York?

I love everything about Rochester summers: the weekend festivals and events, backyard barbeques and farmers markets. Our family spends a lot of time at the golf courses and tennis and pickleball courts. We are also very lucky to have so many nice parks and hiking trails in the area.

This profile is part of our Litigation Power List for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at nydailyrecord.com.