Joel Hancock is a native of Carteret County, NC. He was born and raised on Harkers Island by Susan and Joel Hancock, Sr. He has four older sisters, Emily, Joella, Alyson, and Leah; and a little brother, Mike.
On the first day of school at East Carteret High School in Beaufort, NC, Joel sat beside Lauren Sechler in Ms. Gillikin’s Art I class. After 10 years of dating, Joel and Lauren were married in 2008. They had both just graduated from East Carolina University, where Lauren was a cheerleader for the Pirates and where Joel finished first in his class with a degree in Economics.
Joel and Lauren’s first baby boy, Calvin (or “Cal-boy,” as they call him) was born in 2011 during Joel’s final year of law school at The Penn State Dickinson School of Law. As an infant, Cal-boy went to class with Joel and stole kisses from Joel’s classmates.
After graduating law school and passing the Pennsylvania Bar, Joel, Lauren and Calvin moved back to Harkers Island where Joel hung drywall and studied for the North Carolina Bar. In May of 2013, Joel was sworn in as an Attorney and Counselor at Law in Carteret County District Court by the Honorable Peter Mack. A special guest in attendance that day was Oliver (“Ollie”), Joel and Lauren’s second baby boy, who was just one week old.
In September of 2015 as Joel was in court defending clients, he received a text from Lauren: She was in labor. A few hours later, the couple’s third baby boy, Levi, was born at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City, NC.
In May of 2018, after five years of representing thousands of clients charged with everything from simple seat belt tickets to serious felonies, Joel opened Hancock Law Firm in Beaufort, NC, so he could devote 100% of his time at work to providing elite representation to his clients, and devote 100% of his time away from work to his family and friends.
When Joel isn’t in the courtroom or meeting clients face-to-face, he prefers to be watching UFC fights with Lauren, fishing with his boys, hunting with his friends, training jiu-jitsu, or grilling at his home for whomever wants to come by for dinner.
Practice areas
All Misdemeanors and Felonies
Speeding, DWLR, NOL, DWI, Reckless Driving
Languages spoken
English, Spanish, Portuguese
Hancock Law Firm
601A Cedar St
Beaufort, NC, 28516
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 2013 | 04/28/2022 |
Legal answers | 43 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Top 40 Under 40 | National Trial Lawyers | 2016 |
Top 10 Under 40 | National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys | 2016 |
10 Best Attorneys - Client Satisfaction | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2016 |
10 Best Attorneys - Client Satisfaction | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2015 |
Top Graduate in Economics | East Carolina University Student Government Association | 2008 |
Top Rising Graduate Student | East Carolina University Department of Economics | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Joel Hancock, Attorney At Law | 2013 - 2013 |
Research Assistant of Professor Marco Ventoruzzo | The Dickinson School Of Law Of The Pennsylvania State University | 2010 - 2011 |
Certified Legal Intern | Clinton County, PA District Attorney's Office | 2010 - 2011 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
4th Judicial District Bar Association | President | 2019 - Present |
Carteret County Bar | Member | 2013 - Present |
3-B District Bar | Member | 2013 - Present |
North Carolina Advocates for Justice | Member | 2013 - Present |
North Carolina State Bar | Member | 2013 - Present |
North Carolina Bar Association | Member | 2013 - Present |
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum | Member | 2012 - Present |
3B Judicial Bar Association | Vice President | 2018 - 2019 |
3B Judicial Bar Association | Secretary/Treasurer | 2017 - 2018 |
J. Reuben Clark Law Society - Penn State Chapter | President | 2010 - 2011 |
American Constitution Society - Penn State Chapter | Outreach Chair | 2010 - 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2012 |
East Carolina University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2008 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals and Criminal Justice Professionals | Searches & Seizures in North Carolina | 2015 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
State v. E.A., Resisting Public Officer, Assault and Battery | Dismissed |
State v. B.W., 1st Degree Trespass | Dismissed |
State v. B.N., Injury to Personal Property | Trial: Not Guilty |
State v. R.M., Assault with a Deadly Weapon | Trial: Not Guilty |
State v. B.W., Trafficking Opium or Heroin | Convicted of Lesser Misdemeanor Charge |
Posted by Dane
August 2, 2021
Posted by Lauren
March 25, 2015
Posted by Charlie
March 18, 2015
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March 18, 2015
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March 18, 2015
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February 20, 2015
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February 19, 2015
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February 19, 2015
Jessica Silko, Criminal defense Attorney on May 30, 2018
Relationship: Friend
Joel Hancock is dependable, intelligent, and hardworking. He will go the extra mile to meet your needs and provide a vigorous defense. He’s a great attorney, and a better person, and the exact person you want in your corner.
Russell Alexander, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Joel is a Carteret County native and has a reputation as being both capable and conscientious. I highly recommend his services in the area of traffic law and criminal defense.
Jessica Silko, Criminal defense Attorney on May 30, 2018
Relationship: Friend
Joel Hancock is dependable, intelligent, and hardworking. He will go the extra mile to meet your needs and provide a vigorous defense. He’s a great attorney, and a better person, and the exact person you want in your corner.
Russell Alexander, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Joel is a Carteret County native and has a reputation as being both capable and conscientious. I highly recommend his services in the area of traffic law and criminal defense.
Cecil Harvell, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 4, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Joel is a Beaufort native and we are always fortunate when locals choose to make Carteret County their professional home. Joel is a most solid and competent lawyer and I would not hesitate to refer clients to him and or use him for my family should the need arise.
Wesley Collins, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Joel has a great reputation as a strong advocate and skilled lawyer. I give him my highest endorsement.
James Cummings, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 23, 2015
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
Joel has just the right blend of legal ability and street smarts. His clients are raving fans because they appreciate the effort he gives their case.
Robert Brooks, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 30, 2014
Relationship: Other
Joel embodies what anyone facing criminal charges--small or large--wants in an attorney. He is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate for his clients. He is skilled in trying to work out the best possible outcome--whether through a plea or through trial. As an attorney, I have no hesitation of referring a client to Joel.
Matthew Lager, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 17, 2013
Relationship: Friend
Joel is a intelligent individual and a zealous attorney. If I were in need of an attorney specializing in one of his several practice areas, I would fully trust him to handle my case. Furthermore, as a scholar, Joel provided valuable insight into my most recent legal publication.