Buffalo, New York, June 13, 2025– Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, a full-service business law firm with offices throughout New York, is pleased to announce that Anna S.M. McCarthy, senior associate in the firm’s Labor & Employment practice, has been elected president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York–Western New York Chapter. She will serve a one-year term.
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the largest statewide bar association dedicated to the advancement of women in both the legal profession and society as a whole. More than 200 members represent the Western New York chapter, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.
As president, McCarthy will lead the Western New York chapter’s work to carry out and advance WBASNY’s mission, including promoting the advancement of women in the legal industry, promoting fair and equal administration of justice, and acting as a unified voice for members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular.
“It is an honor to carry on the incredible work of the exceptional women who have led our chapter over the last four decades,” McCarthy said. “This is an opportunity to advocate for and support women attorneys in Western New York and across New York State. It is critical that we give voice to the issues women attorneys face, from legal industry challenges and professional development to work-life balance and beyond, so we can help women advance in their careers, not only from a professional success standpoint, but from a personal fulfillment perspective, as well.”
In her practice, McCarthy represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including the development of employee policies, union relations, wage and hour issues, discipline and termination decisions, employee leave, discrimination and harassment claims, and employment contract disputes. She also assists in ensuring compliance with employment-related federal and state regulations. McCarthy also frequently speaks and advises on best practices associated with diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in the legal industry.
McCarthy has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the fields of Commercial Litigation, and Labor and Employment Law – Management. She has been named to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2018 and was the recipient of The Daily Record’s “Up and Coming Attorneys” Award in 2019. She has also been honored for her pro bono work by the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and the Bar Association of Erie County, and in The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal’s “Legal Excellence” program.
McCarthy earned a J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
About Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP is a full-service business law firm with attorneys throughout New York representing clients ranging from individuals and family-owned businesses to Fortune 100 companies and major regional institutions. With offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City, New York, the firm and its attorneys are consistently recognized by the industry’s leading law firm and attorney ranking programs, including Chambers and Partners, Best Law Firms® and The Best Lawyers in America®. www.hselaw.com.