Hodgson Russ LLP
Am Law 200 full-service law firm with more than 230 attorneys practicing in litigation, corporate, labor and employment, trusts and estates, immigration, and tax.
Overview
Hodgson Russ LLP is a full-service law firm with roots tracing back to 1817, making it one of the oldest continuously operating law firms in the United States. Headquartered in Buffalo, the firm ranks among the Am Law 200 and employs more than 230 attorneys across offices in New York State, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, and Toronto. The Rochester downtown office occupies the 18th floor of Legacy Tower at 1800 Bausch & Lomb Place, at the corner of Court Street and Clinton Avenue in the heart of downtown Rochester, NY.
Hodgson Russ reopened its Rochester presence in 2019 and significantly expanded in January 2024 when ten litigators from the former Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy joined the firm, nearly doubling the local team's size. The firm also maintains a second Rochester location at Linden Oaks.
What They Offer
The Rochester office provides legal services spanning multiple disciplines, including:
- Business and employment litigation
- Higher education law
- Healthcare law
- Product liability and medical malpractice defense
- Utilities regulation
- Corporate and finance
- Tax and real estate
- Intellectual property
- Trusts and estates
- Immigration
- Labor and employment
The firm serves multinational corporations, privately held businesses, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and individuals. Its multidisciplinary team structure allows attorneys across practice areas and office locations to collaborate on complex matters.
Known For
Hodgson Russ holds the distinction of counting two former U.S. presidents—Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland—among its historical alumni. The firm has operated continuously for more than 200 years and maintains its Buffalo headquarters in the landmark Guaranty Building designed by Louis Sullivan, which the firm purchased in 2002. In Rochester, the downtown office has earned metropolitan Tier 1 rankings from U.S. News – Best Lawyers across multiple litigation practice areas.
Location & Neighborhood
The downtown Rochester office sits on the 18th floor of Legacy Tower (formerly known as Bausch & Lomb Place) at the intersection of Court Street and Clinton Avenue. The building is approximately five minutes from the city's bus and train terminals and fifteen minutes from the Greater Rochester International Airport. Validated parking is available for visitors at the adjacent Court Street garage, which operates weekdays until 10:00 p.m. Building access hours run Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The location places the firm within Rochester's central business district, surrounded by Monroe County government offices and other professional services.
Sources used in compiling this entry
buffalorising.com·hodgsonruss.com·my.greaterrochesterchamber.com
Last updated May 14, 2026