Long-time Rochester law firm to take new name under new leadership

ROCHESTER — A long-time Rochester law firm is getting a new name and a new address under new ownership.

Attorney Danielle DiFore recently took over ownership of Anderson DiFiore, a Rochester family and criminal law firm. Carl Anderson opened Anderson Law in 2004. DiFore became a partner in 2022.

Now as Anderson retires, DiFore is taking the reins of the 21-year-old firm. As part of the transition, she is making attorney Brenda Benitez a partner and is re-naming the office as DiFore & Benitez.

DiFore explained that they plan to build on foundation created by Anderson with some modern updates.

“We have a very good reputation in the family law community, so everything like client contacts will remain status quo. We’re going to be operating the same way we were,” she said. “It’s true that we are modernizing the office. Brenda and I have switched from paper lists to iPads.”

Attorney Sherri Whalen and associate attorney Breanna Ohl are also part of Difore & Benitez, which has a support team of four.

The next stage of the transition is to make a small move from the current offices next to Crystal Dental at 1812 Second St. SW to a new space in the building next door at 1816 Second St. SW.

“We decided to move into a new space that will better accommodate our current needs and gives us potential for growth. We are looking forward to practicing in something with a more modern feel,” said DiFore. “We will begin operating there and doing business as DiFiore & Benitez on March 1, 2025.”

Benitez added that she and DiFore have been following a similar path for many years. Both grew up in South Florida within minutes of each other. While they didn’t know each other in Florida, they connected when they met at a Rochester gym in 2015.

“We’ve been very good friends for many years,” said Benitez, who joined the firm in 2021.