Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Expands Employment Law Practice Group with Wende Knapp, Esq. as Partner and Practice Lead

William Q. Lowe also joins as Partner, underscoring the firm's growth and commitment to employment law capabilities and expertise

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP today announced Wende Knapp, Esq., joined the firm as Partner to lead its Employment Law Practice Group. Woods Oviatt also welcomes William (Bill) Q. Lowe as Partner in Employment Law, marking a significant milestone in the firm's ongoing commitment to expanding its 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 at Woods Oviatt 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.

About Wende Knapp
Wende Knapp is a seasoned attorney who most recently served as Assistant General Counsel and Director, Global Employment Law, at Procore Technologies, where she oversaw the global employment law function. Wende has spent more than a decade as in-house counsel, gaining experience at global companies such as Procore, Paychex, and Xerox. She began her career at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, where she served as an Associate with the firm from 2009 to 2013.

Wende is admitted to practice in New York, earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law and has a Master's degree from Seton Hall University. She's the immediate past president of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), an executive board member of the Women's Bar Association of New York (WBASNY), former president of the Women's  Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce (Rochester Chamber) Affiliate, former chair and current member of the planning committee of the International Athena Awards, founder and co-chair of the Rochester Chamber's Women Empowering Women Conference, and vice chair of the board of directors at New York Kitchen.

About William Q. Lowe
William Q. Lowe was most recently Partner at Bolaños Lowe, a boutique labor and employment firm he co-founded in 2019, after practicing as a Partner for ten years at another Rochester-based firm. For the past sixteen years, he has represented public and private employers in all areas of labor and employment law.

Bill advises employers in labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitrations, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board and state agencies. He also represents employers before various state and federal administrative agencies, including federal and state Departments of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the New York State Public Employment Relations Board, and the New York State Division of Human Rights.  Bill provides advice and counsel on day-to-day employment matters such as compliance with protected leave obligations, internal investigations, employee performance, discipline/termination issues, disability accommodations, and wage and hour issues.  Bill also defends clients in employment litigation matters, including disputes over employment contracts, restrictive covenant agreements, wage and hour claims, and employment discrimination claims.

In addition, he provides businesses with general corporate counseling, advising companies at all stages on business and transactional needs, including entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, and negotiating and drafting commercial contracts, including services agreements, software licensing agreements, and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.

Bill is admitted to practice in New York and the United States District Court for the Western and Northern Districts of New York and earned his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. 

About Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is a full-service law firm with a legacy of excellence spanning more than 170 years. With offices in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany, the firm provides comprehensive legal counsel to businesses, individuals, and families across New York State and beyond. Its attorneys deliver strategic, solutions-focused guidance in a wide range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, litigation, real estate, employment, intellectual property, trusts and estates, and more.

Known for its deep client relationships and commitment to exceptional service, Woods Oviatt Gilman combines the resources of a large firm with the accessibility and personal attention of a trusted advisor. The team serves clients across industries such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, construction, and non-profits, helping them navigate complex legal matters and achieve their goals. For more information, visit www.woodsoviatt.com.

SOURCE Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP