EXPERIENCE

STEIN & LUBIN LLP, San Francisco, California.
STEEFEL LEVITT & WEISS, San Francisco, California.
PERKINS COIE LLP, San Francisco, California.
STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP, Los Angeles, California.

EDUCATION

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, J.D., 1996-97 Hayes Fellow
AMHERST COLLEGE, B.A., French and Women and Gender Studies

Manuella W. Hancock specializes in business litigation. Manuella has represented companies and individuals in the areas of commercial law, contract disputes, debtor/creditor disputes, employment law, construction defect, unlawful detainer, insurance, securities, defamation, premises and product liability, and other matters. Manuella has substantial experience in bankruptcy litigation, particularly with respect to creditors rights. Manuella has appeared in state and federal courts throughout California, including the California and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals.  Manuella has successfully represented clients in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation. Manuella advises small businesses on debt issues and speaks in workshops on debt collection in California and structuring debtor/creditor relationships for small businesses.

Manuella’s estate planning practice focuses on the client, crafting an estate plan and preparing key documents based on the client’s overall financial plan and personal preferences for this deeply personal process.  Manuella has experience with a broad range of clients, including members of non-traditional families and individuals within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Business Litigation, including construction defect, unlawful detainer, insurance, securities, defamation, premises and product liability, and other matters
• Debtor-Creditor Disputes, including debt collection and structuring debtor/creditor relationships for small businesses
• Employment Law
• Bankruptcy
• Alternative Dispute Resolution, including arbitration and mediation

ORGANIZATIONS

BALiF, Member of the Board of Directors (2003-2004), Chair of Programs Committee.
SFSPCA, volunteer
Leadership High School, Board Member 2002-2005

Admitted to practice law in California. Proficient in Spanish and French