Life at Hancock Estabrook

Best Places to Work

Hancock Estabrook, LLP has been named as one of the 2024 Best Companies to Work for in New York by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYS-SHRM) and Best Companies Group. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New York. The 2024 Best Companies to Work for in New York list is made up of 75 companies from across the state.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in New York. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics and was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation.

For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York program, visit www.BestCompaniesNY.com.

Professional Development and Support

Hancock Estabrook supports our attorneys’ practices with cutting-edge technology. Our technology infrastructure, inside and outside the office, is a reflection of the fact that the practice of law is on the move and can be completed from all corners of the globe. We have a fully integrated cloud computer system with access to remote log-in and document systems.

We also support our attorneys’ professional growth by hosting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and various business development and leadership training programs designed to help individuals throughout their legal career. As an accredited CLE provider, we offer periodic seminars on front-line practice issues, professional responsibility, business development, legal research and writing, document preparation and drafting and firm management.

Pro Bono

We strongly encourage our attorneys to give back to the community by providing pro bono legal services and serving on not-for-profit boards.

An important component of Hancock Estabrook’s corporate citizenship is our commitment to pro bono work. Our attorneys dedicate many hours each year to providing pro bono services, through individual efforts and through Firm-sponsored programs.  Hancock Estabrook is committed to offering services to individuals who could not otherwise afford legal counsel.

Hancock Estabrook has been honored by the New York State Bar Association as a recipient of the President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Fifth Judicial District. Our attorneys have also been recognized individually for their pro bono contributions, including an Onondaga County Bar Association Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for implementing a Veteran’s Pro Bono Project and Legal Clinic, which has helped 55 veterans from 21 counties with their legal needs and an Onondaga County Bar Association Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for handling cases in city court on behalf of indigent tenants.

Hancock Estabrook participates in the Onondaga County Volunteer Lawyers Program, representing tenants facing eviction in Syracuse City Court and the Surrogate’s Court Clinic. We also provide pro bono services through the Pro Bono Panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

For more than two decades, our attorneys have served as volunteer arbitrators for the Syracuse City Court Small Claims Arbitration Program, hearing and deciding civil disputes. Firm attorneys regularly volunteer their time to various “call-a-lawyer” programs and participate in efforts sponsored by several legal aid groups in Upstate New York, including the Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. and Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Hancock Estabrook, we make it a priority to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.  The Firm’s commitment to diversity has led to us receiving a Grade “A” rating from the ATL Law Firm Index, in an independent study of law firm gender diversity, ranking us among the top 25% of U.S. firms with outstanding gender diversity statistic.  While we strive to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace, we know that our work is not done. We have taken care to develop programs that continue to promote and reinforce our commitment to a diverse workforce. We value workplace diversity and understand that the hiring of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, lead to better and innovative results for our clients.