ABOUT EMILEE
Emilee Lawson Hatch is an attorney focusing on trusts and estates law. Originally from the Rocky Mountains and raised in Evergreen, Colorado, she has made Central New York her home. Since settling here, Emilee has built a broad and sophisticated client base grounded in trust and clarity.
Emilee brings deep experience in trust and estates, and also elder law and personal-choice matters, ensuring that each client’s needs, values, and wishes are honored. She represents individuals and families of all kinds, honoring the unique dynamics, relationships, and personal values that shape each client’s planning needs.
She provides thoughtful support on trusts, wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, and other planning tools that protect both autonomy and dignity. With an approach that blends legal precision and human understanding, Emilee helps clients create plans that offer security, stability, and peace of mind. Her work includes guiding individuals and families through the legal and practical complexities of aging, long‑term care, and medical decision‑making.
As a former author of the Syracuse Law Review’s Trusts and Estates Survey of New York Law, Emilee remains closely attuned to developments in the law. She offers her knowledge and experience to her clients and a practical, solutions‑oriented mindset that makes complex issues feel manageable.
EDUCATION
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL — LL.M. in Estate Planning, 2009
- Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, NY — Juris Doctor, 2008
BAR ADMISSIONS
- New York
- Massachusetts
RECOGNITION
- Accredited Estate Planner (AEP), NAEPC
- CNY Business Journal, 40 Under Forty — 2014
- Super Lawyers Rising Star — 2013–2017
- NYSBA President’s Pro Bono Service Award, 5th Judicial District — 2015
- OCBA VLP Distinguished Service Pro Bono Award — 2014
PUBLISHED WORKS
- “Life After Death,” New York State Bar Association Journal, May 2018, Vol. 90, No. 4
- “Trusts & Estates,” 2010–11 Annual Survey of New York Law, 62 Syracuse L. Rev. 845 (2012)
- “Trusts & Estates,” 2011–12 Annual Survey of New York Law, 63 Syracuse L. Rev. 991 (2013)
- “Trusts & Estates,” 2012–13 Annual Survey of New York Law, 64 Syracuse L. Rev. 979 (2014)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- New York State Bar Association — Elder Law and Trusts & Estates Sections
- Estate Planning Council of Central New York
- Estate Planning Council of Tompkins County
- Onondaga County Bar Association
- Tompkins County Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Finger Lakes Women’s Bar Association
- William Herbert Johnson Bar Association of CNY
- Central New York Women’s Bar Association
SPEAKING & PRESENTATIONS
Emilee is frequently invited to speak to community groups, professional organizations, churches, and businesses. If you are looking for a guest speaker, please reach out to our office. Below is a partial list of completed presentations.
2025
- Protecting Assets and Long-Term Care Costs — Love Living at Home, Ithaca, NY
- Legal and Healthcare Essentials for Peace of Mind — Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Syracuse, NY
- Speaker and Panelist on Elder Safety — Vera House Elder Abuse Conference, Syracuse, NY
- Estate Planning Workshop — Golden Age Social Club, hosted by P.E.A.C.E., Syracuse, NY
- Show Yourself Love: Legal and Financial Steps for Women and Their Families — Century Club, Syracuse, NY
2024
- Surrogate’s Court Panel — Southside Innovation Center, Syracuse, NY
- Estate and Trust Planning Presentation Series — Interfaith Works, Syracuse, NY
- Wills and Trusts — McGraw House, Ithaca, NY
- Planning for the Future — Frances House, Syracuse, NY
Selected Additional Presentations
- Staying Independent and Knowing the Documents You Need — Magnarelli Community Center, Syracuse (2022)
- Preparing a Will — Lifelong Community Center (virtual and in-person), Ithaca, NY (2021)
- Is a Trust Right for You? — Lifelong, Ithaca, NY (2018, 2020)
- Powers of Attorney — Disability and Elder Law Fair, Finger Lakes Independence Center (2020)
- Advanced Planning through the Aging Mastery Program — Lifelong, Ithaca, NY (2019, 2020)
- Take Care of Those You Love — Century Club, Syracuse, NY (2019)
- Tax and Estate Planning for Physicians — 6th District Medical Society, Ithaca, NY (2019)
- Estate Planning for Singles and Child-Free Individuals — Cornell, Ithaca (2019)
- End-of-Life Planning — Frances House, Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville (2019)
- Basic Estate Planning — Elder Law Fair, Syracuse, NY (2011–2017, multiple years)
- End-of-Life Decision Making — Ithaca College Gerontology Institute; Lifelong, Ithaca, NY (2017)
- Trusts, Estates, and the Legal Documents Every Woman Should Have — Lubin House, Syracuse University (2017)
- Protecting Assets from Long-Term Care Costs — DeWitt Seniors, DeWitt, NY (2017)
- LGBT Legal Concerns — Elder Law Fair, Syracuse, NY (2014)
COMMUNITY & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
Emilee is an advocate for lifelong learning and believes in providing opportunities for all people to have access to education and legal services. Her commitment to the Central New York community is reflected in her long‑standing involvement with organizations dedicated to learning, justice, wellness, and the arts.
Education, Literacy & Youth
- Book Buddies — Volunteer. Connects community volunteers with K–3 students in the Syracuse City School District.
- Newland Center for Adult Learning and Literacy — Former Board Member & Volunteer.
- Syracuse Law School’s Outlaw Moot Court Team — Former Coach (sexual orientation and gender identity law).
- Adjunct Faculty (former): Cazenovia College (Sexuality, Gender & Law) and Syracuse University College of Law (Estate Planning).
Legal Profession & Access to Justice
- Central New York Women’s Bar Association — Member, former Board Member and Committee Chair.
- Onondaga County Bar Association — Member, former Board Member and Committee Chair.
- Vera House — Former Volunteer in legal clinic supporting individuals experiencing domestic violence.
- Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY — Former Board Member, Chair of Development Committee, and current Clinic Volunteer.
Community Health & Well-Being
- Child Care Solutions — Former Board Member.
- Meals on Wheels of Syracuse — Volunteer Delivery Driver.
- Prevention Network — Former Board Member.
- Syracuse Community Connections / Southwest Community Center — Former Board Member and Committee Chair.
- Rescue Mission Alliance — Former Legacy Committee Member.
Leadership & Philanthropy
- Christ the King Retreat House — Former Board and Executive Committee Member.
- Community Foundation of Central New York — Former Advisor, Professional Advisor Council.
- Leadership Greater Syracuse — Class of 2015.
Arts & Culture
- Social Art Club — Current Member, former Board Member and Vice President.