About Mackenzie
Mackenzie C. Monaco is a founding member and partner at Monaco Cooper Lamme & Carr, PLLC, where she brings equal parts sharp legal acumen and unmistakable presence to every matter she handles. A seasoned litigator, Mackenzie represents clients ranging from individuals and local businesses to national corporations in state and federal courts across New York. Her practice spans litigation, risk management, insurance coverage, tort defense, and trusts and estates, with a particular focus on the hospitality and retail, construction, insurance, and health care industries. In short, if it’s complex, high-stakes, or demands strategic thinking, Mackenzie is right at home.
Clients quickly learn that when Mackenzie represents them, she doesn’t just show up, she shows up strong. Whether she’s on a worksite, at the negotiation table, or in the courtroom, she is a tough negotiator, a relatable communicator, and a relentless advocate. Known for her confidence, authenticity, and ability to connect with people at every level, Mackenzie brings clarity, humor, and conviction to even the most challenging situations, proving that exceptional lawyering doesn’t have to come without personality.
Why Mackenzie?
Law runs in Mackenzie’s DNA. She grew up with a front-row seat to the justice system, watching her father, then a part-time town justice, arraign cases from their living room. That early exposure shaped not only her career path, but also her approach: respect for the process, fairness to all parties, and a belief that good lawyering is as much about judgment and humanity as it is about intellect. Today, she pairs that foundation with summa cum laude credentials, top-tier rankings, and leadership roles across state and national legal organizations.
Qualifications
Education
- J.D., Albany Law School of Union University, summa cum laude (2004)
- B.A., St. Lawrence University, Government and History, cum laude (2001)
Admissions
- New York State
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
Affiliations
- ALFA International
- Board of Directors, Secretary
- Hospitality & Retail Practice Group, Chair Emeritus
- Healthcare Practice Group, Member
- Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer Practice Group
- Albany County Bar Association, Board of Directors
- Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, past President, Board of Directors
- Committee on Character and Fitness, Third Judicial District, Past-Member
- New York State Bar Association
- Capital District Women’s Bar Association
- Albany Law School Moot Court, Judge
- Albany Law School Alumni Initiative in Mentoring (AIM) Program, Mentor
- Albany Law Review, Research and Writing, Past-Executive Editor
- Justinian Society
Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell, “AV”® Preeminent Attorney
- AVVO, 10.0 Superb Attorney Rating
- Best Lawyers in America, “Best Lawyer” (2021-Present)
- SuperLawyers (2020-present); SuperLawyers “Rising Star” (2013-2019)
- ALM/New York Law Journal, “Top Rated Women Leaders in Law” (2021-Present)
- Justinian Society, Scholar
Noteworthy
- Bennett v. Logan, 2015 NY Slip Op 30000(u) (Wyoming County)
- Mogan v. Dame Russell Physical Therapy, PLLC, 128 AD3d 1209 (3rd Dept 2015)
Leadership
Speaking
- Moderator and Speaker: “Navigating Virtual and Conventional Depositions: The Defense Perspective”, New York State Bar Association, Albany, NY (November 2024)
- Speaker: “A Song for Ireland – Lessons for Life in the Law from the Emerald Isle”, ALFA International Client Seminar, Tuscon, AZ (March 2025)
- Speaker: “Cool Runnings – The Power of Perserverance”, ALFA International Client Seminar, Fajardo, Puerto Rico (2024)
- Moderator: “Wellness and the Great Awakening: It’s Not Just a Buzzword Anymore”, ALFA International Client Seminar, Palms Springs, CA (2023)
- Panelist: “Impacts of a Global Pandemic – From Running a Law Firm to the Protocols at the Court”, Albany County Bar Association, Albany, NY (2022)
- Speaker: “Oh, For #@&! Sake – Wellness is Not a Dirty Word!”, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Practice Group Seminar, Columbus, OH (2022)
- Speaker: “Law Firm Well-Being”, New York State Office of Court Administration podcast (2020)
- Speaker: “Construction Site Accident Claims & Litigation”, New York State Bar Association, Albany, NY (2019)
- Speaker: “What to Do in the Age of #MeToo? Practical Suggestions for Employers in the Post-Weinstein World”, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Practice Group Seminar, Seattle, WA (2019)
- Speaker: “A Day in the Life of an In-House Counsel: An Ethical Dilemma”, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Regional Seminar, Chicago, IL (2019)
- Speaker: “Ready Player One: An Employer’s Guide to Wearable Devices for Health and Productivity”, ALFA International Client Seminar, Dana Point, CA (2019)
- Speaker: “Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace: The Messy Process of Ensuring a Clean and Sober Workforce”, 2019 Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Conference, Grapevine, TX (2019)
- Speaker: “Technology That is Literally on (and Sometimes in) Hand and Its Use in Litigation”, ALFA International Transportation and Hospitality & Retail Regional Seminar, Denver, CO (2019)
- Speaker: “Ethics for In-House Counsel”, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (2018)
- Speaker: “Who’s the Boss? Understanding Joint Employer Liability”, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (2018)
- Speaker: “Effective Habits & Strategies for Young Attorneys”, Albany County Bar Association CLE Program, Albany, NY (2018)
- Speaker: “Hamilton – A Hip Hop Lesson in Old School Communication”, ALFA International Client Seminar, Scottsdale, AZ (2018)
- Speaker: “Handling Hospitality Claims: Retail and Restaurants”, New York State Bar Association, Albany, NY (2018)
- Speaker: “Ethics in Action”, Federation of Bar Associations for the 4th Judicial District, Lake Placid, NY (2017)
- Speaker: “The Chicago Law Association Law Symposium by ASAE University®, Chicago, IL (2016)
- Speaker: “Medical Malpractice Litigation: Disclosure”, New York State Association, Albany, NY (2016)
- Speaker: “All You Ever Wanted to Know About Powers of Attorney and Why You Need to Know”, New York State Funeral Directors Association, Albany, NY (2016)
- Speaker: “The Power of Authenticity and the Consequences of Window Dressing”, ALFA International Annual Business Meeting, Women’s Initiative Group, Chicago, IL (2016)
- Speaker: “The Whys and Wherefores of Business Succession and Estate Planning”, New York State Funeral Directors Association Annual Conference, Syracuse, NY (2016)
- Speaker: “Who’s the Boss? How the NLRB Decisions in Browning and McDonalds Impact the Future of Franchisor Franchisee Relationships”, ALFA International Hospital & Retail Practice Group seminar, Santa Barbara, CA (2016)
- Speaker: “Talking Copyright Issues in Funeral Service”, New York State Funeral Directors Association, Albany, NY (2016)
- Speaker: “Charming Snakes and Vanquishing Varmints: a Wild West Duel on the Reptile Theory”, ALFA International ICS Seminar, Palm Springs, CA (2016)
- Speaker: “Joint Employment and Independent Contractors in 2016 and Beyond: Who’s the Boss?”, New York State Funeral Directors Association, Albany, NY (2016)
- Speaker: “Serious Injury Threshold Update”, Federation of Bar Associations for the 4th Judicial District (2014)
- Speaker: “Practical Skills: Basics of a Civil Trial – Direct Examination”, New York State Bar Association, Albany, NY (2013)
Publications
- 5 Questions: Women in Leadership, Albany Business Review (October 1, 2021)
- EHRs and e-Discovery Evolving Expectations, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Enterprise Risk Management forum (April 4, 2018)
