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.
Contact: Christian Nolan
Senior Writer
cnolan@nysba.org
518-487-5536
