Nancy A. McKinley

Nancy A. McKinley

Partner, Chair of the Trust and Estates Department, Lacy Katzen LLP

Years in current role: Partner since 2021, chair since 2022

What is one challenge currently facing the legal profession that deserves more attention?

AI — Artificial Intelligence. AI came upon us so quickly that it presents challenges ethically and professionally, such as how to safely use it so that client confidentially is not compromised. It certainly has the potential to streamline processes, and we need to decide how to fully incorporate it in our practice to do so. In using AI for research, the challenge is to verify accuracy and not rely on it to always be accurate.

How important is community involvement or pro bono work within your organization?

It is very important. Whether it is being on a nonprofit board, involved in the Monroe County Bar Association, or on a list offering legal services to clients who cannot afford an attorney — it is critical. For me, it started with being on the Lawyers for Learning Committee at the Monroe County Bar Association and mentoring grade school children at Rochester School 29. Later, I was on the Rochester Education Foundation Board and Shepherd Home Board. Now, I take on pro bono cases when I can, especially when it means helping our military veterans.

What is one accomplishment — professional or personal — that you are especially proud of?

Professionally, I am most proud of becoming an attorney. Early in my career, I worked at M&T in the Mortgage Department handling post-closing files and I worked with a number of attorneys. I had a couple of attorneys that mentored me and encouraged me to go to law school. I originally thought I would work as in-house counsel at a bank, as that was my background. That was not in the cards! I never thought I would be a partner in a firm or chair the Trust and Estates Department.

This profile is part of our Trusts & Estates Power List for 2026. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at nydailyrecord.com.