Avery C. McLean
- Associate

Contact
Biography
Avery C. McLean joined Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP in 2024, practicing in the areas of Public Law and Trusts & Estates. She graduated from Penn State Law in 2024 with a J.D. and holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Prior to joining Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, Avery gained valuable experience in dispute resolution, research and client advocacy while she worked as a Mediation Program Student Assistant with the Pennsylvania Agricultural Mediation Program, a Research Assistant at Penn State’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, and a Clinical Student in Penn State Law’s Rural Economic Development Clinic. Avery also served as a Summer Associate at Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, and as a Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Suzanne Adams at the New York County Supreme Court. These roles provided her with a well-rounded foundation in law and reinforced her deep commitment to addressing the legal needs of her community.
Outside of work, Avery is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Fred L. Waterman Conservation Education Center and as a volunteer and mental health speaker for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania. She has strong ties to agriculture through her family’s Full Fleckvieh Simmental Cattle farm in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, Canada, and she is passionate about supporting local producers in the Southern Tier.
Avery is also dedicated to mental health advocacy and enjoys engaging with the agricultural community and the broader Upstate New York region. While she grew up in Manitoba, Avery is happy to call Binghamton home and looks forward to connecting with clients at Coughlin & Gerhart’s Bainbridge and Binghamton offices.
Personal Interests: Avery has strong ties to her family farm, Rich Mc Farms LTD in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, and supports local agriculture. She also participated as a 2024 THON dancer, raising awareness and funds for children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Education
- Penn State Law, University Park, Pennsylvania
- J.D. - 2024
- Honors: CALI Award recipient: Agricultural Law, and Rural Economic Development Clinic
- Law Journal, Journal of Law & International Affairs, Editor, 2023
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- B.S. - 2021
- Honors: summa cum laude
- Honors: 2021 President’s Council Academic Excellence Award (MVC)
- Honors: Donaghey Scholars Honors Program
- Honors: The Alan Ward Award (Community Service)
- Major: Biology
Past Positions
- Pennsylvania Agricultural Mediation Program, Mediation Program Student Assistant, 2024
- The Pennsylvania State University Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, Research Assistant, 2023-2024
- Penn State Law Rural Economic Development Clinic, Clinical Student, 2023
- Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, Summer Associate, 2023
- Honorable Suzanne Adams – New York State Supreme Court, Judicial Law Clerk, 2022
Certified Legal Specialties
Classes & Seminars
Pro-Bono Activities
- Board of Directors, Fred L. Waterman Conservation Education Center, Apalachin, NY
- Volunteer & Mental Health Speaker, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania
Representative Clients
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2025
Honors
- Volunteer of the Year, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, 2024 Publications & Presentations
Ancillary Businesses
References
Professional Associations
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- Broome County Bar Association, Member
- Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
Practice Areas
- Public Law
- Trusts & Estates
Published Works
- Leading By Example, Mental Health in the Legal Field – Ethics CLE, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (2024)
- Inspiration: Turning Our Test into Our Testimony, Mental Health in the Legal Field – Ethics CLE, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (2023)