Adams Leclair LLP Announces the Retirement of Hon. Thomas A. Stander as Active Mediator, Effective February 28, 2026
Rochester, NY — Adams Leclair LLP announces that Hon. Thomas A. Stander, highly respected mediator and former New York State Supreme Court Justice, retired from active mediation on February 28, 2026. He will remain a valued resource and mentor to the attorneys in the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice area.
“Tom has been a pillar of fairness and wisdom—not just for us, but for the legal community at large,’ said Steven E. Cole, Managing Partner. “His impact will be felt for years to come.”
Justice Stander earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Denison University. Then, after graduating from Syracuse University College of Law, he worked in private practice in business, contract, corporate, and tax law, eventually becoming a partner at a Rochester law firm. His commitment to public service began in 1975 when he became Village Justice for the Village of Fairport, a role he performed for fifteen years.
In 1991, Justice Stander was elected to the New York State Supreme Court in the Seventh Judicial District. At the time, he was one of the youngest individuals in the state to hold that position. His most significant judicial accomplishment was the creation and leadership of the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court in Monroe County. Under his steady guidance, the division quickly became a statewide and national model for resolving business disputes.
Following his retirement from the bench in 2018, Justice Stander joined Adams Leclair’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practice, bringing nearly three decades of judicial experience and insight. Over the last seven years, he has mediated and helped resolve hundreds of disputes, including commercial conflicts, construction litigation, medical malpractice matters, and other high-stakes cases. He has also served on both the Federal Court Panel of Mediators and the New York State Panel of Mediators.
“Tom developed the ADR practice area when Adams Leclair was founded in 2019 and he was one of the first mediator/arbitrators to utilize remote technology to move cases forward when the pandemic struck in 2020,” recalled partner Paul Leclair. “We owe so much to Tom for being a stalwart leader during unprecedented times.”
Justice Stander’s career reflects a lifelong devotion to promoting fairness, resolving conflict, and strengthening the justice system. These values will continue to shape Adams Leclair long after his retirement from active mediation.
About Adams Leclair LLP
Adams Leclair LLP is a Rochester-based litigation firm focused on commercial, construction, employment, and complex civil matters, with a robust ADR practice devoted to helping parties achieve fair and efficient resolutions.