Alan J. Pierce

Firm: Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
Location: Syracuse - NY

  • 1800 AXA Tower I
    100 Madison Street
    Syracuse, NY 13202
  • Tel : 315.565.4500
  • Fax : 315.565.4600

Alan J. Pierce is a partner in the Litigation Practice and Leader of the Appellate Practice. He has more than 20 years of litigation experience, concentrating on appellate practice, insurance coverage, defamation and civil and commercial litigation. Mr. Pierce has handled numerous appeals in his career, appearing before the New York State Court of Appeals, all four Departments of the State’s Appellate Divisions and in the Second, Fourth and Eleventh United States Circuit Courts of Appeals. He has served as trial and appellate counsel in successful actions for defamation and insurance bad faith. Mr. Pierce has authored several publications on appellate practice and insurance coverage, and lectures on behalf of the NYSBA and the Office of Court Administration on appellate advocacy and insurance coverage litigation. Prior to joining the Firm, he served as Confidential Law Clerk to the Hon. Richard D. Simons, New York State Court of Appeals.

Education

  • Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1984
    • Dean’s Outstanding Representative Award
    • President, Justinian Honor Society
    • Order of the Coif
    • Editor-In-Chief, Syracuse Law Review
  • St. Lawrence University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1981

Admissions:

  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Credentials:

  • Chair, NYSBA Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction
  • Member, Empire State Counsel, New York State Bar Association
  • Member, Onondaga County Bar Association
  • Member, New York State Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member, New York State Bar Association
  • Member, St. Lawrence County Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Fourth Department to the Fifth Judicial District Character & Fitness Committee
  • Member, New York State Bar Association Task Force on Mandatory Retirement of Judges
  • Member, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors

Honors & Recognitions:

  • Rated, AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2022)
  • Selected, Appellate Practice, “Lawyer of the Year” in Syracuse, The Best Lawyers in America (2022)
  • Selected, Insurance Law, “Lawyer of the Year” in Syracuse, The Best Lawyers in America (2016)
  • Selected, Upstate – New York, Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
  • Empire State Counsel, New York State Bar Association (2013)

Speaking Engagements

  • New York State Bar Association, “Meet the Judges of the Court of Appeals”
  • New York State Bar Association, “2015 Law School for Insurance Professionals”
  • New York State Bar Association, “The Before and After of K2 Investment Group LLC v. American Guarantee & Liability Insurance Company”
  • New York State Bar Association, “New York Appellate Practice”
  • New York State Bar Association, “New York Appellate Practice”

 


Hancock Estabrook, LLP.

Whether your goal is to reverse an adverse ruling or protect a favorable one, winning an appeal requires special skills – concise and persuasive writing, expertise in oral advocacy, superior research abilities and knowledge of the rules that are unique to this practice. Trusting an appeal to an attorney who lacks appellate experience can cost thousands of dollars or cause a meritorious appeal to be lost because of procedural pitfalls.

Hancock Estabrook is dedicated to providing the highest-quality appellate services, combining skills and experience to win high-stakes appeals. Our talented attorneys have authored law review articles and worked as judicial clerks for state and federal court judges, and are often invited to speak at continuing legal education (CLE) seminars.

As part of our practice, we handle appeals referred to us from lawyers outside the Firm, who seek the benefit of our specialized experience and fresh perspective. We provide candid and objective advice on whether an appeal should be pursued and the issues that are likely to prevail. Our appellate attorneys have earned a reputation for excellence in written and oral advocacy, delivering the focused presentation that appellate courts expect and the outstanding service our clients deserve.

Hancock Estabrook appellate practice is lead by Alan J. Pierce and includes:

Honorable Edward D. Carni (RET. New York State Appellate Division Justice) is a partner in the Firm’s Appellate and Litigation practices after serving more than 25 years on the bench.

Janet D. Callahan a partner in the Firm’s Litigation and Appellate practices and has served as a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Ms. Callahan was the first female Managing Partner in the Firm’s 125-year history.

Mary L. D’Agostino who focuses her practice on commercial litigation, federal and state appellate advocacy, and other civil disputes. Previously, she served as a Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judges Christian F. Hummel and David E. Peebles, as an Appellate Court Attorney with the Appellate Division, Fourth Department and as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Syracuse.