Matthew Lenhard

Partner

Rochester

Phone: 585.381.3400 x301

Fax: 585.381.6219

Practice Areas

Insurance Defense - Practice Area Leader

Business Law

Civil Litigation

Products Liability 

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about me

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credentials & achievements

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professional Focus

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significant matters

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About Me

The life of a trial lawyer is often fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled, and hectic. To be an effective advocate, a lawyer must be able to maintain a calm demeanor while considering and choosing the best strategy and course of action.

Matt believes his greatest skill as a trial lawyer is his ability to actively and critically listen – to his client’s needs and goals, to his opponent’s claims, and to a witness’s testimony – and craft a strategy for the best result.  In the often frenetic and chaotic environment of the courtroom, Matt prides himself on his ability to slow things down, listen, and think on his feet.

In addition to representing clients in all aspects of civil litigation — including jury and bench trials, mediation, arbitration, and through appellate and motion practice before the Appellate Division and Court of Appeals of the State of New York — Matt enjoys speaking and writing about torts, insurance and compensation law, and trial techniques.

Away from work, Matt likes to spend time with this family and dogs in the Finger Lakes, and drumming with his band.

Credentials & Achievements

Education: 

University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D.

State University of New York at Buffalo, MBA

State University of New York at Geneseo, B.A.

Admissions:

New York State

United States District Court for the Northern District of New York

United States District Court for the Western District of New York

Achievements:

Upstate New York Super Lawyers, 2009, 2012-2025

The Best Lawyers in America®, 2026

Upstate New York Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010

Professional Focus

Capabilities

  • Automobile Liability – Defense of claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, including liability, medical causation, serious injury threshold disputes and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims 
  • Premises Liability – Representation of property owners, managers, and insurers in slip and fall, negligent security, and related claims  
  • Products Liability – Defense of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers against claims involving allegedly defective or dangerous products 
  • Construction Defect Litigation – Resolution of disputes involving design and construction deficiencies, including claims against contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers 
  • Labor Law & Construction Site Litigation – Defense of claims under New York Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241, including scaffold law and construction site injury matters 
  • Complex, Multiparty Litigation – Defense of high exposure, catastrophic injury, and complex civil matters.
  • Wrongful Death – Evaluation and defense of tragic accidents involving the death of a party.

Industries Served:

  • Insurance
  • Health Services

Affiliations

  • Defense Trial Lawyers Association

  • Monroe County Bar Association

  • New York State Bar Association

  • Town of Perinton, Zoning Board of Appeals

  • Western New York Trial Lawyers Association

Significant Matters