Adams Leclair LLP is excited to welcome Ella Humphrey of Pittsford as the firm’s summer law clerk for 2022. Ella comes to this position through the Honorable Roy W. King Diversity Clerkship Program administered through the Monroe County Bar Association, Rochester Black Bar Association and Greater Rochester Association of Women Attorneys GRAWA.

The Pittsford native completed her first year of law school at the University at Buffalo, and is assisting the attorneys at Adams Leclair for six weeks. She will be asked to perform legal research and analysis in various areas including Construction Law, Commercial Litigation, Trust and Estates Litigation, and Employment Law. Prior to attending law school, Ella earned her real estate license and worked for Keller Williams. Ella also worked for Xerox Corp. in office management, and she spent more than two years as a marketing assistant for a New York City direct-to-customer prime meat supplier with headquarters in Manhattan.

“My undergraduate degree is in marketing, so early on, I had concentrated on that aspect of my education. Then, during the pandemic, I reassessed my life goals and decided I wanted to return to school. I was thinking about an MBA but someone suggested a J.D. which really appealed to me because I realized I could focus on truly helping people while supporting myself,“ said Humphrey.

Ella has already been able to assist the attorneys at a hearing in Monroe County Surrogate’s Court, a settlement discussion with clients in Syracuse, and an arbitration conducted by Retired State Supreme Court Judge Thomas Stander, who is of counsel to Adams Leclair.

“I have learned so much, simply through observation. However, I am already noticing improvement in my legal writing and am gaining additional skills through the legal tasks I am being assigned. Personally, this has turned into a major period of growth for me,” remarked Humphrey.

This is the second summer that Adams Leclair has participated in the Diversity Clerkship Program.  Managing Partner Steve Cole says not only does the firm’s participation provide opportunities for success, but it also helps build a pipeline for talent.

“Getting to know the up-and-coming lawyers across the region is very helpful as we expand hiring across New York State. Our firm will certainly benefit from a variety of strengths and the richness that comes from different ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives.”