Construction-law attorney joins Hancock Estabrook

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Attorney Michael Balestra has joined Syracuse–based law firm Hancock Estabrook, LLP as a partner in the firm’s construction, commercial litigation, and cannabis practice areas. 

Balestra represents owners, contractors, and design professionals in matters related to public and private construction projects, the law firm said in a release. He assists clients in reviewing, drafting and negotiating all manner of construction contracts, subcontracts, engineering, procurement and construction agreements, and related documents.

Balestra has experience representing construction clients in litigation and arbitration involving claims of defective work, breach of contract, mechanics’ lien foreclosure, changes in the work, payment and performance bond claims, extra work, unforeseen conditions and diversion of Lien Law trust funds, per Hancock Estabrook.

Balestra comes to Hancock Estabrook from Barclay Damon, where he was a partner and spent nearly the last three years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before that, he was an attorney at Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, P.C. for 10 years.

In addition to his construction-law practice at Hancock Estabrook, Balestra also represents clients in cannabis law and commercial-litigation matters. 

Balestra received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University and earned his law degree at the University of Kentucky College of Law, per his LinkedIn profile.