We are pleased to announce that Ericka B. Elliott and Andrew M. Washburn have been elected partners of the Firm.
“Ericka and Andrew have made significant contributions to our clients, to the collegial culture of our Firm, and to our community. I am happy to welcome them into our partnership,” said Patrick L. Cusato, Underberg & Kessler managing partner. “They are both exceptional attorneys who have consistently demonstrated professional excellence, as well as earned the trust and respect of their colleagues, peers, and clients.”
Ericka is a member of the Firm’s Creditors’ Rights, Health Care, Litigation, and Municipal Law practice groups. She represents hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, home health agencies and other health care providers on issues ranging from risk management and patient care to collections and regulatory compliance. In her litigation practice, she helps small businesses, banks, and individuals with contract disputes, debtor/creditor issues, and corporate governance matters. In addition, Ericka represents municipal clients in litigation and advises on legislative, administrative, economic development, planning and zoning matters.
Ericka is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA), and the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), where she recently served as a Board member and Secretary. In 2023, she was selected to participate in MCBA’s inaugural class of The Leadership Academy and now serves on the Steering Committee for the Academy. She serves on several non-profit Boards of Directors, including Lifespan, St. Ann’s Foundation, and the WNY Rural Area Health Education Center. She served as the Board Chair for 13thirty Cancer Connect in 2024, serves on the Lima Joint Village/Town Planning Board, and is a volunteer with the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network.
Ericka was recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® for her work in Litigation-Labor & Employment in Rochester, NY. She was named a finalist in the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber’s IGNITE Award’s program and was also named a 2024 Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree. In addition, Ericka is a 2023 and 2024 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars honoree and received the 2023 Legal Excellence Award for Up and Coming Lawyers from The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal. Ericka earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from University at Buffalo School of Law.
Andrew is a member of our Commercial Lending, Creditors’ Rights, and Real Estate & Finance practice groups. His practice is focused on commercial and residential real estate matters, representing both lending institutions and borrowers in a variety of transactions.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS and Chair of the annual golf tournament, the Mortgage Bankers Association, Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Young Professionals Network and serves on its Leadership Committee, and the RAC NYS Commercial Association of REALTORS. In 2024, Andrew graduated from the MCBA’s Leadership Academy program. He is the President of the Board of Directors of the Webster Soccer Association/Lakefront Soccer Club, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in New York State.
Andrew was recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® for his work in Real Estate Law in Rochester, NY and he received the 2023 Legal Excellence Award for Up and Coming Lawyers from The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal. A summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, Andrew earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.