Monica R. Lenahan, Appellate Attorney in Albany, New York
Over 14 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate, Education, and Employment
PartneratWhiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
Albany, NY
Practicing appellate in Albany since 2012.
- 14+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Monica R. Lenahan?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
Quick answer
Monica R. Lenahan is a partner based in Albany, NY. The practice focuses on Appellate, Education, and Employment. Monica has over 14 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.
- Based in
- Albany, NY
- Experience
- over 14 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Education · Employment
- Handles Appellate, Education, and Employment matters from Albany, NY.
- Over 14 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Monica R. Lenahan: Monica R. Lenahan is a partner based in Albany, NY. The practice focuses on Appellate, Education, and Employment. Monica has over 14 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Monica takes on
Monica concentrates on appellate, education, and employment. Each area below outlines the kind of case Monica handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate
View other Appellate attorneys
Education
View other Education attorneys
Employment
View other Employment attorneys
Appellate cases in Albany, New York
Monica takes appellate matters in Albany, New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Monica agrees to represent you.
Education cases in Albany, New York
Monica takes education matters in Albany, New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Monica agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in Albany, New York
Monica takes employment matters in Albany, New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Monica agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Monica R. Lenahan — appellate lawyer in Albany
Monica R. Lenahan is a partner based in Albany, NY. The practice focuses on Appellate, Education, and Employment. Monica has over 14 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.
Monica R. Lenahan (formerly Monica Skanes) joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in September 2011. Ms. Lenahan was previously a summer associate at the Firm. She represents both public and private employers, including schools and colleges, on a wide range of education and employment law issues. She regularly counsels employers to help avoid legal issues, conducts complex and sensitive student and employee investigations, and defends employers in discrimination actions and other complex litigation.
Background/Education
Ms. Lenahan, originally from Mt. Kisco, New York, graduated summa cum laude from Albany Law School in 2011. During law school, she was a senior editor of the Albany Law Review, a teaching assistant for both Civil Procedure and Torts, and a member of the Albany Law Review’s Pro Bono program. Ms. Lenahan was also a student judicial intern in the chambers of the Honorable Thomas J. McAvoy, Senior District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, and a law clerk at New York State United Teachers’ Office of General Counsel. Prior to law school, Ms. Lenahan graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College as a member of the Honors Program.
Representative Accomplishments
•Successfully defended employers in employment discrimination proceedings before the New York State Division of Human Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in federal and state court.
•Frequently conducts sensitive investigations of alleged sexual misconduct, bullying, and/or discrimination by students and/or employees and prepares detailed investigation reports for incidents at colleges and school districts.
•Regularly drafts board resolutions, memoranda of agreement, and policies and regulations, including Codes of Conduct and employee handbooks.
•Participates in negotiations, arbitrations, and mediations regarding public sector collective bargaining agreements.
Professional/Community
Ms. Lenahan previously served as the Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, and currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Section’s Communications Committee. Additionally, she has served as President of the Capital District Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association. She has also previously served as a board member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra, and has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.
Publications
Out of State Court Rulings Offer Clues on Handling Confederate Flag Displays, On Board (New York State School Boards Association) January 23, 2017.
The Truth Behind Final and Binding Arbitration: A Study of Vacated Arbitration Awards in the New York Appellate Division, 74 Alb. L. Rev. 983 (2011).
Presentations/Speaking Engagements
•Employee Handbooks and Employee Discipline, National Business Institute, March 2019
•School Climate and Student Expression: Exploring Students’ Right to Free Speech, Capital Area School Development Association, January 2019
•Legal Update on Transgender Students and Employees, Capital Area School Development Association, December 2018
•Employment Discrimination, International Public Management Association, September 2018
•School Safety, Capital Area School Development Association, August 2018
•Equal Employment Laws, National Business Institute, August 2018
•New York Paid Family Leave, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, November 2017
•First Amendment Issues for Students and Employees, Capital Area School Development Association, August 2017
•New York Paid Family Leave, Capital District Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association, May 2017
•Preparing Employers for NY’s Paid Family Leave Law, Albany Business Review, May 2017
•Table of Experts, Federal Regulations Final Rule: Overtime, Albany Business Review, August 2016
•Social Media Issues in Labor and Employment Law, New York State Bar Association, September 2014
•Students and Social Media and the Dignity for All Students Act, Capital Area School Development Association, May 2014
Monica's approach to appellate cases
Monica R. Lenahan (formerly Monica Skanes) joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in September 2011. Ms. Lenahan was previously a summer associate at the Firm. She represents both public and private employers, including schools and colleges, on a wide range of education and employment law issues. She regularly counsels employers to help avoid legal issues, conducts complex and sensitive student and…
The kind of cases Monica takes
Monica reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, education, and employment matters in Albany and the surrounding New York area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Albany Law School
J.D. · 2011
Ithaca College
B.A. · 2008
Jurisdictions
Monica's state bar admissions
New York
2012 · ACTIVE
Monica studied at J.D. in Albany Law School and B.A. in Ithaca College.
Law school and academic background
Monica completed J.D. in Albany Law School and B.A. in Ithaca College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Monica runs in New York is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Monica's professional memberships and bar associations
Affiliations Ms
membership
Lenahan is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of New York
membership
She is a member of the New York State Bar Association
membership
Locations
Monica R. Lenahan's office in Albany
Monica's primary office is at 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1900, Albany, NY, 12260. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1900
Albany, NY 12260
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Monica R. Lenahan
Monica has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
No reviews yet
Only verified clients who have consulted with Monica R. Lenahan can leave a review.
Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Monica R. Lenahan — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Monica usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Monica charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Monica's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Monica will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in Albany, New York
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Monica
Monica discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Monica confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Monica's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Monica R. Lenahan
How much does it cost to hire Monica for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Monica walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Monica offer a free consultation?
Monica charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Monica's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Monica's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in New York typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Monica gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Monica take my case if I'm outside Albany?
Monica is licensed in New York. Matters governed by New York law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Monica will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Monica?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Monica will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Monica accepting new appellate clients right now?
Monica's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving Albany and Brooklyn in New York
Monica handles appellate matters throughout New York. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated appellate attorneys in New York
If Monica's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these appellate attorneys in Albany handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.