08-18-25 Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Expands Employment Law Practice Group with Wende Knapp, Esq. as Partner and Practice Lead
Wende Knapp, Esq., has joined the firm as Partner to lead our Employment Law Practice Group. We also welcome William (Bill) Q. Lowe as Partner in Employment Law, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to expanding our services and providing comprehensive legal support to clients.
"Organizations today are facing incredibly complex employment challenges—from navigating hybrid work models and ensuring equity and inclusion, to addressing wage-and-hour compliance and workplace safety," said Managing Partner Mitchell Nusbaum. "Client demand for strategic, forward-thinking employment law counsel has never been stronger, and with the additions of Wende and Bill, we are well-positioned to deliver excellent client service in all employment-related legal matters. Their leadership and experience, coupled with Wende's intimate knowledge of the firm's values, perfectly positions the Employment Law Practice Group for its next phase of growth."
Wende Knapp brings extensive experience in employment law, having most recently served as Assistant General Counsel and Director, Global Employment Law, at Procore Technologies, a global SaaS company with nearly 4,000 employees worldwide. At Procore, Wende oversaw the global employment law function, supporting the company's rapid growth across the United States, Canada, EMEA, and APAC.
Wende's appointment is a homecoming; she previously served as an Associate with the firm from 2009 to 2013. Since then, Wende has spent more than a decade as in-house counsel, gaining experience at global companies such as Procore, Paychex, and Xerox, providing counsel at all levels of the organization with a particular focus on employment law and HR advisory.
"Throughout my career, I've developed a strategic, business-focused approach shaped by both my in-house and external counsel experience. With a deep understanding of how employment law intersects with operational priorities, I deliver strong counsel that not only protects organizations but also supports their long-term strategic success," said Wende. "This expansion of the Employment Law Practice reflects our commitment to supporting employers with sophisticated legal solutions rooted in deep expertise and practical insight. Our enhanced team, with the addition of Bill, is ready to partner with businesses of all sizes to mitigate risk, foster healthy workplace cultures, and confidently navigate the legal landscape as the world of work continues to transform."
A seasoned attorney, Bill Lowe most recently served as Partner at Bolaños Lowe, a boutique labor and employment firm he co-founded in 2019. Previously, Bill practiced as a Partner for ten years at another Rochester-based firm. With deep expertise in all areas of labor and employment law, Bill has represented both public and private employers alike.
Under Wende's leadership, the Employment Law Practice will focus on advising clients on a wide range of employment law and workplace-related legal matters, including day-to-day HR issues, complex federal, state, and local regulations, mitigating risk, workplace policies, wage and hour matters, compliance, M&A, resolution of employment disputes, and workplace investigations. Wende will serve as a legal and strategic partner to clients, providing practical solutions that align with legal requirements and organizational goals.
