Two associates with Harris Beach PLLC have been named to the inaugural class of the Monroe County Bar Association Leadership Academy, which seeks to identify future leaders and nurture their professional development.

Attorneys Taylor C. Ventre and Kaitlin E. O’Brien are among the 22 attorneys selected for the new academy, which is modeled after similar academies across the nation. The MCBA Leadership Academy will meet once a month beginning in January for six months, and engage in important discussions on community issues with leaders representing law enforcement, public education, business, the legal system, and health care.

Candidates were nominated by their individual law firms as individuals with the “intellect, drive and passion” to become leaders in our community.

“Taylor and Kaitlin have already made a significant impact on the clients and the practice of law, and their careers are just getting started,” said Heidi Schult Gregory, office managing partner, Harris Beach Rochester. “We are so pleased that the Bar Association recognized what we did when we brought these bright insightful attorneys aboard: that they have much to offer our community.”

Taylor is an associate with the Harris Beach Labor and Employment Practice Group and a member of the Cannabis Industry Team. She advises public and private employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues and assists with the defense of employers throughout litigation against various claims. Taylor also counsels employers on labor and employment developments related to New York State’s legalization of adult-use marijuana.

Kaitlin is an associate with the Harris Beach Business and Commercial Litigation Group. She represents clients on a wide breadth of litigation-based matters relating to contract disputes, labor and employment, estate administration, education law, municipal law, health law, and guardianship law.