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Paul F. Keneally

Partner

Rochester, NY

(585) 258-2821

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Strategist and diplomat. Advocate and persuader. Formidable opponent, trusted friend. Paul’s effectiveness as a litigator is due to his depth of legal understanding and his determination to get clients the right result. As chair of the Firm's Labor & Employment Practice Group, and a partner in our Litigation and Municipal Practice Groups, Paul represents a wide variety of businesses, individuals and organizations. From untangling complex commercial and construction litigation, navigating the minefield of labor and employment disputes, resolving tax assessment and other municipal matters, to handling general litigation, insurance defense and personal injury cases, Paul has a wealth of litigation experience in the administrative agencies and the state and federal courts.

​One of Paul’s core areas is labor and employment law, where he provides astute and proactive advice to clients in matters involving executive compensation, overtime, workplace violence, non-compete/non-solicit agreements, sexual harassment, race, sex and age discrimination, family and medical leave, and disabilities.

​Prior to joining Underberg & Kessler, Paul worked for the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, based in New York City, and served as a Federal District Court law clerk in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois. Paul was associate editor of the Fordham Law Review and was admitted to the Order of the Coif, an honorary law society.

EDUCATION

Fordham University
School of Law, J.D. (cum laude)

Amherst College, B.A.

COURT ADMISSIONS

New York State

US District Courts - Western District of NY

US District Courts - Eastern District of NY

US District Courts - Northern District of NY

US District Courts - Southern District of NY

US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

District of Colorado

Central District of Illinois

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Paul is a regular lecturer on labor and employment law and litigation topics. He is a member of the American, New York State, and Monroe County Bar Associations. Active in the community as well, Paul serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Human Resource Management as a Legislative Representative and as Counsel to the Board of Directors' and Management of The Tennis Club of Rochester.

Paul is a past member of the Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, Career Services Development and the Young Audiences of Rochester.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Paul was selected a 2007–2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyer. The Super Lawyer group represents the top 5% of attorneys in Upstate New York who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. He also was named to the 2013-2023 editions of Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment with a recent addition in 2022 for Labor Law- Management. He was honored with their 2022 Rochester "Lawyer of the Year" designation for Litigation - Labor & Employment. In addition, Paul was a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Award.

Paul was the recipient of the 2017 Literacy Volunteers of Rochester Ruth Colvin Award, which recognizes individuals who were instrumental in the organization's founding and development. He was also a 2016 Literacy Volunteers of Rochester President's Award recipient, recognizing his efforts in leading their Lawyers for Literacy program.

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