ALBANY AND ROCHESTER ATTORNEYS HONORED WITH NYS BAR ASSOCIATION JOHN E. LEACH MEMORIAL AWARDS

ALBANY, NY (01/26/2017)(readMedia)-- Jean F. Gerbini (Albany) and Laurie A. Giordano-Vahey (Rochester) were presented with John E. Leach Memorial Awards during the New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting January 25.

The awards recognize outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the Bar Association's Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law (TICL) Section.

"Jean has dedicated her career to serving TICL and NYSBA," said the TICL Section Chair Kenneth A. Krajewski, of Brown & Kelly (Buffalo). "She is loved and admired by the entire Executive Committee. This award is a small token of the section's appreciation and thanks for her service and dedication."

Gerbini has been an attorney with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna since 1986. Her practice focuses on issues affecting consumers and providers of insurance. She has represented policyholders in complex, multi-party insurance coverage actions in federal and state courts.

Gerbini is a past chair of the TICL Section. She is a graduate of Harvard University and Albany Law School.

Giordano-Vahey is a founding member of Leclair Korona Vahey Cole. She focuses her practice in the areas of insurance law, as well as commercial and personal injury litigation. Her clients include large and small businesses, municipal corporations, insurers and individuals.

"Her service to the section has been generous, and with style and grace," said Krajewski. "The section thanks her for her service and dedication, and gives her this award with our thanks and appreciation."

Giordano-Vahey also is a former chair of the section. She is a past president of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo and University at Buffalo Law School.

The 72,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

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