People

Beth Ela Wilkens
Member

Mrs. Wilkens is a member of the firm, leader of the Financial Institutions and Capital Markets Industry Team and practices in the Corporate Practice Group.  She was selected in 2009 as Corporate Lawyer of the Year in the Rochester area by Best Lawyers in America and in 2012 as Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year, and is listed in New York Super Lawyers. Mrs. Wilkens focuses her legal practice on corporate, finance, securities, banking, and general commercial law.  Significant portions of her practice also include corporate governance matters, arranging financing, and mergers and acquisitions.  She is general outside counsel to publicly traded companies, has served as special counsel to boards of directors, and provides general corporate representation to a number of businesses.  She also serves as coordinating counsel for several large financial institutions and works with a number of other banks and investment funds.  Mrs. Wilkens has developed additional expertise in the area of health systems, both through professional engagements and volunteer work.  She is a frequent lecturer at seminars and conferences sponsored by professional and business organizations.

Professional & Community Activities

Mrs. Wilkens has served as chairperson of the Business Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.  She was the first woman and youngest president of the Monroe County Bar Association in 1986-87, and in 2000 received the association's prestigious Rodenbeck Award for service to the legal profession and the community.  She chaired the New York State Bar Leaders Conference, was a member of the State Bar Association’s House of Delegates and served as a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

Mrs. Wilkens serves as a director of the Caldwell Manufacturing Company.  Additionally, Mrs. Wilkens has chaired the boards of numerous other civic and charitable organizations, including Rochester General Health System, Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, YMCA of Greater Rochester, Hospital Consortium of Greater Rochester, The Genesee Hospital and Continuing Care Network.  She served as a director of Greater Rochester Assurance Company Limited, WXXI Public Broadcasting Council and the Rochester Museum & Science Center.  In addition to serving as a delegate to the American Hospital Association Health Systems Council, Mrs. Wilkens has served on numerous health care-related task forces, including most recently the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency Regional Work Group.

Recognized as a New York State Super Lawyer