Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, a full-service business law firm with offices throughout New York, announced that senior associate Diana R. Clarkson was honored by the American Red Cross Greater Rochester Chapter at the organization’s Fire and Ice Gala with The Jane Fairchild Freund Volunteer Leadership Award.
Clarkson has been an American Red Cross board member for the Greater Rochester Chapter for over eight years. Beginning her work as a committee member, she quickly assumed leadership roles as board secretary, and after a little coaxing, accepted the position as the thirty-sixth chair of the Greater Rochester American Red Cross and fifth woman ever to hold that position in the 138-year history of the Chapter. “Diana’s leadership and passion for the Red Cross extends well beyond the board room. Her calm and cooperative spirit, strong organizational leadership skills, and dedication has helped the Chapter regain a footing in the community,” said James Love, Executive Director, American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter. “We are thrilled to be able to honor Diana with this important award.”
Created in 2001, The Jane Fairchild Freund Volunteer Leadership Award is presented to a past or present Chapter board member who has demonstrated a commitment to the chapter and has helped carry out the mission of the American Red Cross through excellent committee work and/or direct service.
A member of Harter Secrest & Emery’s Tax and Trust & Estates practice groups, Clarkson represents individuals and business owners in a variety of federal and state tax, business succession and wealth transfer and estate planning matters. Her experience includes analyzing, structuring, and drafting documents for mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, tax-free spin-offs, and debt restructurings. She counsels clients on entity formation and business structure implementation with a focus on limited liability companies, helps clients analyze and correct employment tax issues, and represents clients in the negotiation of audits with local, state, and federal tax authorities. In addition, Clarkson represents individuals, families, and closely-held business owners in implementing estate planning strategies through entity reorganizations, shareholders agreements, wills and trusts.
Clarkson is an active community volunteer, in addition to serving as the board chair for the American Red Cross Greater Rochester Chapter, she is a board member and Audit Committee Chair for Allendale Columbia School, where she also serves as an attorney coach for the Mock Trial team. She has been a long-term volunteer at Volunteer Legal Services Project’s Family Law Clinic and is also active with the Princeton Club of Rochester, the American Bar Association, and the Allendale Columbia School Alumni Association. Clarkson is a graduate of Princeton University and The College of William and Mary School of Law.
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