21 Southern Tier Lawyers Just Earned National Recognition

It’s not every day that our little corner of New York makes national headlines, but this week it sure did. Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, a law firm many in the Southern Tier already know, just had 21 of its attorneys recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

How Best Lawyers Chooses the Best of the Best

If you’re not familiar, Best Lawyers is kind of like the Oscars of the legal world. Lawyers don’t buy their way onto the list. Instead, it’s all based on confidential peer reviews, other attorneys around the country saying, “Yes, this person is one of the best at what they do.” Only a small percentage ever make it, which makes this achievement even bigger.

Meet the Local Attorneys Making National Waves

Among the honorees are people you may have already seen working hard in our community. Managing Partner Rachel Abbott was recognized for her work in personal injury cases. Mark Gorgos made the list for education law. Robert Jones earned honors for both trusts and estates litigation and personal injury. And Carrie Wenban, who practices corporate and business law in Ithaca, also took home national recognition.

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All told, 16 attorneys from the firm were listed in Best Lawyers. On top of that, five more up and coming attorneys were highlighted in Ones to Watch, a category for rising stars who are already making their mark in areas like family law, real estate, municipal law, and elder law.

Why These Honors Matter Beyond the Awards

For the rest of us in the Southern Tier, this isn’t just about awards and recognition. It means that when life throws tough legal situations our way, whether it’s a family matter, a business issue, or something as personal as an injury, there are trusted, nationally recognized experts right here at home.

World-Class Representation, Right Here in the Southern Tier

Rachel Abbott, the firm’s managing partner, summed it up best: these honors aren’t just about skill, they’re about integrity, professionalism, and serving clients well. And really, that’s what makes this news worth celebrating.

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So if you’ve ever wondered whether world class legal representation exists in the Southern Tier, the answer is a resounding yes and now the rest of the country knows it too.