Rochester, N.Y.–Adams Leclair LLP is excited to welcome three talented law clerks and introduce them to construction law and business litigation as they continue their studies at their respective law schools.

Yesenia Onofre is originally from Wisconsin and currently a second-year law student at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. After being chosen to participate in The Honorary Roy W. King Diversity Clerkship Program, Yesenia accepted the summer clerk position at Adams Leclair to receive hands-on experience in a variety of legal segments. Up until now, her main concentration has been criminal law.

“If there is something I can bring to the firm, it is my enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and dedication.  I am the first-generation everything in my family—including the first to seek a professional career—and that came with many obstacles, mainly from honing in on these three characteristics.  So, I am confident staying true to these aspects will help me thrive at Adams Leclair,” said Onofre.

Riley Laese grew up in Fairport and worked seasonally as part of the construction industry with his father.  As an undergraduate, he majored in Construction Management at Arizona State University and is now a second-year law student at University at Buffalo School of Law. He says what really shaped his path was his decision to participate in Army ROTC.

“I was a part of the program for all 4 years and following graduation I was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. If it had not been for ROTC and the amazing Education Delay program the JAG Corps offers, I would have never attended law school.”

Penfield native, Jack Cassidy, also grew up connected to the construction industry through his father.  He has worked as a plumber on sites all around Rochester since he was a teenager.  He is a JD candidate at the Syracuse University College of Law and credits a very supportive educator for pushing him towards a law degree.

“I had thoughts about going to law school in high school, but I didn’t really confirm my interest until I took some undergraduate law courses at St. Bonaventure with a great professor who really stoked my interest further,” reflected Cassidy.

With their familiarity with the construction industry, both Laese and Cassidy say they were attracted to Adams Leclair’s summer program because of the firm’s reputation in construction litigation.  “Adams Leclair felt like a great place to get an introduction to civil litigation,” observed Cassidy. 

Beyond the summer clerk experience at Adams Leclair, all three candidates are focused on future professional aspirations.  

• For Jack Cassidy, the goal is to be a litigator.  “Rochester has always been my home and I really want to build a career here.”
• For Riley Laese, it is to become the best lawyer he can be. “I know that if I strive for this, anything is possible.”
• For Yesenia Onofre, it is to give back to her community. “I hope I can spend time finding ways to motivate and help other underrepresented groups and Latinas in seeking a career in the law.”

All three summer clerks look forward to fresh legal challenges, but they are also anxious to take advantage of the summer season in the Finger Lakes region and all the activities centered on the water. Cassidy and Laese have a particular affinity for Canandaigua Lake and golfing with friends.   Onofre, who has never lived in Rochester before, anticipates exploring as many sights as possible via roller skates.                                                                                 

For more information on The Honorable Roy W. King Diversity Clerkship Program, contact the Rochester Black Bar Association. 

Adams Leclair LLP is a litigation law firm that concentrates its practice in a broad range of commercial and construction advocacy throughout upstate New York.  Based in Rochester and Albany, the Adams Leclair team of dedicated attorneys provides our valued clients with specialized counsel, honed by decades of experience handling disputes and trying cases.