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Robert C. Whitaker Jr.

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Robert C. Whitaker Jr.

5.0
4 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Syracuse, NY
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, Military Law

1800 AXA Tower I, 100 Madison St., Syracuse, NY

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Call for a FREE consultation (315) 907-4299

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Robert C. Whitaker Jr.'s Website
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Call for a FREE consultation (315) 907-4299

About Robert

Biography

Specializing in military Admin Boards, Boards of Inquiry, BCNR/BCMR petitions and discharge upgrades

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor 75%

Represents employers ranging from small local business to Fortune 500 companies against claims of discrimination in state and federal court as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC, NY State Division of Human Rights, NY Workers' Compensation Board and NY Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. Also has extensive experience in defending and enforcing covenants not-to-compete between employers and former employees.

75%
Military Law 25%

Former Navy JAG who represents active duty servicemembers of all branches world-wide. Specializes in administrative separation boards , BCNR/BCMR Petitions, Discharge Upgrades & Veteran's Benefits. Has successfully represented enlisted and officers of all ranks against separation for allegations of drug use, DUIs, assault and many other issues. E-mail at [email protected] or call at (315) 565-4500 for a sample of Mr. Whitaker's past results.

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

An elite group of attorneys who have been rated highly by their peers as having Very High Ethical Standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

This is the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 20 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2006

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

Hancock Estabrook, LLP

(315) 565-4600

Fax

1800 AXA Tower I, 100 Madison St., Syracuse, NY, 13202

hancocklaw.com/people/robert-c-whitaker-jr/
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Robert C. Whitaker Jr.'s Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (3) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 3
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas
Military Law (2) Business (1) Criminal Defense (1) Debt Collection (1) Debt Settlement (1)
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (2) Case Results (2) Recommendation (2) Character & Conduct (1) Practice Area Knowledge (1) Professionalism (1) Responsiveness (1) Trustworthiness (1)

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

Posted by anonymous | November 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

Hire Mr. Whitaker Now!

I am a former Armed Forces Officer. It is a little known fact officers are responsible for what Soldiers under their command do and don’t do. With such an understanding in mind, one might reason empathy breeds proper judgment. My service departure was due to the application of sympathy and contemp...t, on the part of my board of inquiry officers, regarding an “alleged” SHARP incident. The board members used sympathy for the accuser and contempt for me, which aren’t grounds for proper judgment given both are rooted in emotion, as guides. It is my contention that if a high ranking officer has a theory concerning a topic, all subordinate officers flow suit or risk career jeopardy. The problem with this blind approach is a theory is provided before actual data is possessed. Subsequently, all individuals aiding/supporting this theory find facts to suit the theory instead of determining a theoretically probable position based upon gathered facts. In total, my career ended due to a subjective probability, as opposed to, an objective evidenced based outcome or decision. Treating “subjective” and “objective” probability as equal can have a life changing effect. The two points are in no way the same. My accuser provide no evidence, stated verbal SHARP violations directed at her occurred daily (informed no one: friends, family, husband, immediate, subordinate, or higher command). All of the incidents provided were supposedly experienced in a 365 day period. She clearly stated during the board at no time did she fear me and didn’t like me as an officer. To include, I made 45 minute phone calls to her during her commute home concerning non-business related matters. I provided three years of phone records, of which, we spoke six time for a total of less than nine minutes. Every service member interview on my behalf (male and female) stated this type of behavior was hard to believe and would have been seen by someone or experienced by another female. My command believed the accuser to be beyond reproach and extremely trustworthy. Ultimately, I’ve learned the following certainty: never use a JAG officer to represent you during any legal matter, period. Your question is “What is the job of a Chief Judge Advocate and what does that mean to your military court appointed representative?” Mr. Whitaker is presently assisting me in righting my career, by way of a board of corrections. Thereafter, our goal is have me complete my remaining year towards retirement. He is great at what he does. My only regret is that I should have known to hire him sooner.

Posted by Travis | September 23, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

ADMIN SEP BOARD

Mr. Whitaker was great with representing me in my admin board hearing. I am CPO with 17 years of good service. I was being charge with Art 134 (adultery) and Art 107 (false official statement). Mr. Whitaker walked me through the process. He was very knowledgeable on Military Law. He went in with ...a strategy that I thought wasn’t going to work at all. However, I trusted him to save my career! Not only did his strategy work against the prosecutor, he was able to convince the board members there was no misconduct for adultery!!! The admin board voted 2-1 to retain me! I will recommend Mr. Whitaker to any service members who want to win a fair fight!!!

Posted by anonymous | January 13, 2010 | Business

Extremely Satisfied Customer

We own our own family business and had some financial issues that needed to be resolved. We hired a different lawyer originally, who to make a long story short, negelcted his duties and almost put us out of business. Our accounts had been frozen, meaning we could not take any money out nor could any ...money be deposited. Our customers had been sent letters saying that the were required by law to send the money to them and not our company. It was the day before payday when this happened. We had no way of paying our employees and were under the impression that there was nothing we could do; but close our doors. After not being able to get a hold of our original lawyer, we called Mr.Robert Whitaker and he gave this matter immediate attention and advised us as to what we should do. We followed his advice and within in an hour our accounts were unfrozen, we were back in business and we had come to an agreement about the money we had owed. Our previous lawyer had been working on this since July and we accomplished all of this in one afternoon with Robert Whitaker.

See All Client Reviews

Robert C. Whitaker Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Robert
Patrick Kane Korody headshot
Patrick Korody

Military law lawyer | Apr 30

Relationship: Co-worker

"Mr. Whitaker is an experienced military law lawyer. His clients benefit from his military background coupled with his superior representation. I highly recommend him for anyone who faces a military law issue."

Philip S. Reutlinger headshot
Philip Reutlinger

Military law lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bob is a great attorney with outstanding control of the law, and a keen eye for detail. I would not hesitate to refer a client to Bob for assistance."

Robert Joseph Thorpe headshot
Robert Thorpe

Military law lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"Bob is an exceptional lawyer, and, as a former Navy JAG, he provides outstanding representation for his clients."

Jennifer Renee Scharf headshot
Jennifer Scharf

Employment and labor lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Patrick Kane Korody headshot
Patrick Korody

Military law lawyer

Jeffrey C Murse headshot
Jeffrey Murse

Family lawyer

Philip S. Reutlinger headshot
Philip Reutlinger

Military law lawyer

Robert Joseph Thorpe headshot
Robert Thorpe

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Upstate New York Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2013

Syracuse Vet Venter Pro Bono Service Award, Syracuse Veteran's Center

2005

Robert J. Connelly Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, Western New York Trial Lawyers Association

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Partner, Hancock Estabrook, LLP

2011 - Present

Attorney, U.S. Navy Jag Corps Reserves

2009 - 2013

Associate, Hancock Estabrook, LLP

2005 - 2009

Prosecutor & Defense Attorney, U.S. Navy Jag Corps

Associations

2020 - Present

Onondaga County Bar Association

Director

2018 - Present

Onondaga County Bar Association

Co-Chair of the Veterans' Rights & Military Law Section

2011 - Present

Clear Path for Veterans

Veteran Adivsory Board Member

2010 - Present

Cornell University Cooperative Extension Onondaga County

2009 - Present

NDNY Federal Court Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

Onondaga County Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

New York State Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board Case No. 569724

Administrative Law Judge's decision reversed in favor of my client resulting in denial of benefits to former employee.

New York State Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board Case No. 568220

Administrative Law Judge's decision reversed in favor of my client resulting in denial of benefits to former employee.

Matter of Megan Jock v. Fastrac Markets, LLC, Case No. 10147787 (New York State Division of Human Rights)

All claims dismissed in favor of client.

New York State Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board No. 568216

Successfully defended employer against claim for benefits.

New York State Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board No. 567410

Administrative Law Judge's decision reversed in favor of my client.

NY Workers' Compensation Board

Case dismissed.

Granite Music Corp. v. Center Street Smoke House, Inc., 2011 WL 1898909 (W.D.N.Y. 2011)

Awarding client statutory damages of $10,000 per copyright violation, a permanent injunction and reimbursement of attorneys' fees.

Michelle Sullivan v. Central New York Weight Loss, LLC NYSDHR Case No. 10125679

All claims against client were dismissed.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

Oswego State University of New York

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

2014

Second Annual Advisors to Small Business Symposium Employee Misclassification: Independent Contractors vs. Employees

2014

2013

2013

GKG University Seminar Family & Medical Leave Act Update

2013

Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy Exempt v. Non-Exempt Employees

2013

ABC News Channel 9 Syracuse - Veteran's Voice Veteran's Rights Under Federal Law

2013

9th Annual Labor & Employment Law Symposium Employment Discrimination Case Law Update

2013

2013 Speaker Series The Family and Medical Leave Act

2012

2012

ABC CNY Membership Breakfast What's Fair About the Fair Play Act?

2011

Unemployment Insurance 101: Assessing and Responding to Claims for U.I. Benefits Unemployment Insurance Benefits

2011

Higher Education Conference Social Media on Campus

2011

Fair Labor Standards Act Fair Labor Standards Act

2009

Labor & Employment Law Update

COBRA updates under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

Publications

2015

2014

2014

2014

2013

2013

The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Expanded Rights for Military Families Under FMLA

2011

Central New York Business Journal Employers need to be ready for Fair Play Act

2010

Labor & Employment Law News Violence in the Workplace

2009

2009

Languages

English

Activity

10

Legal Answers

Legal Answers

Q&A

How I request my GOMOR to be removed from my OMPF?

03 Jun 2014
Q&A

Is a non-compete enforceable in NY state as an independent contractor?

10 Jul 2012
See More Legal Answers
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