It’s who we are, what we do, and how we approach law differently at Lippes Mathias. 
 

We’re inquisitive. We think ahead, and around corners, for our clients. It’s how we find answers to legal questions that advance business outcomes – not endless options and choices. Because we know working together to understand our clients’ needs will move their businesses forward. 

We’re collaborative. Ability before title; tenacity before tenure. The only way to keep growing and thriving is to build our firm from within. Here, partners teach associates how to grow meaningful client relationships. Associates bring partners new business ideas to navigate together. It’s an invaluable two-way street that continually paves the path of our firm’s growth. 

We’re supportive. We respect you and your life, your loved ones and your commitments.  Work-life balance does exist, and we value it. 

This is our compass. It’s why we can tell you about the Lippes Difference, and how we’re different from most other firms, but it’s better to discover for yourself. 

Click here to download a PDF Lippes Mathias’ quick facts. 

As Lippes Mathias continues to grow, it remains committed to the culture of caring and professionalism that has helped it succeed. To continue this commitment as we expand, we have developed a strategic program to engage in the local communities where we operate as well as in important causes nationally. We view this community engagement as a critical component of being an ethical and responsible corporate partner to our clients and to others in need of support, which goes far beyond our legal services and expertise. As our firm and our own professional opportunities continue to grow, we are committed to sharing our time and talents with those who are finding their own path to success in life. 

Our attorneys and staff support a number of charitable organizations throughout the country either financially, through volunteering, or by serving on boards.

Lippes Mathias' Pro Bono Advisory Committee pursues opportunities for attorneys to use their breadth of knowledge to provide no-cost legal assistance for community members in need.  The firm is actively involved in the Erie County Volunteer Lawyers Project and Say Yes to Education - Buffalo’s initiative to provide free legal clinics to families of children within the Buffalo Public School District, among many others.

Recently, Lippes Mathias developed, in coordination with the Erie County Volunteer Lawyers Project and Native American Community Services, a Native American Legal Assistance Clinic that provides support to local, low-income, Native Americans.  The Native American Legal Assistance Clinic is the first of its kind anywhere in the Western New York area.  In less than a year of operation, the Native American Legal Assistance Clinic has provided legal advice and legal assistance to dozens of Native Americans from across Western New York.  Currently, there are plans to expand the Native American Legal Assistance Clinic to other locations and to provide representation for qualifying Native Americans. 

Lippes Mathias practices its commitment to the recruitment, retention and advancement of our women attorneys by providing expanded professional and business development opportunities, mentoring, training, and support through the firm's Women's Group. 

The Women’s Group is an affinity group of our women attorneys which provides a collaborative platform to discuss and address the unique challenges and needs women attorneys face, learn from shared experiences, as well as provide dedicated opportunities for internal and external networking to promote personal and professional growth.  

We provide educational and substantive programming on various topics, facilitate one-to-one mentoring relationships, and have developed women’s forums and mentoring circles in our local offices. We regularly host innovative programs with specific emphasis on building the leadership and business development skills of our women.

  

Our women attorneys are encouraged to participate in a variety of training sessions and CLE programs focusing on presentation skills, networking, the art of self-promotion, work/life balance, business development and other topics tailored to their interests.

 

Lippes Mathias also supports a number of organizations aimed at supporting women in our local communities.

Our culture of collaboration, collegiality, and inclusivity is rooted in the proven fact that diversity creates a better workplace and improves our ability to provide our clients with the highest level of representation.

 

We view a lack of diversity within our legal community as a missed opportunity to be better. At the macro level, diversity within our legal community provides for a more equitable application of the law. At the micro level, firms that are more diverse are able to provide a broader selection of solutions to clients.

 

A key element of Lippes Mathias’ DEI program is our DEI Committee, which works across the firm’s offices to ensure that all attorneys and staff can reach their full potential. We make it our mission to ensure everyone is given what they need to succeed.

 

At Lippes Mathias, diversity is not a static goal, a program in name only, or a performative pledge. It is a continuing journey to always be better and do what is necessary to allow our firm and our clients to realize the benefits that a diverse workforce and workplace provides. 

 

Maya Angelou said — “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” 

Inherent in that sentiment is the notion that improvement and doing better is a fluid, constant journey with no finish line. 

 

Lippes Mathias’ DEI Committee works with the firm's Human Resources Team and our Summer Program Committee to explore and adopt best practices to locate diverse candidates. We make concerted and thoughtful efforts to reach out to diverse candidate populations to introduce them to Lippes Mathias.
 
As part of our recruitment efforts, Lippes Mathias Partner, Andrew M. Wilson, has played a significant role in the Empire State Legal Diversity Career Fair since its inception in 2022, including serving as co-chair of the 2023 event.  

 

In addition to recruitment, we focus our DEI efforts on retention and advancement within the firm. Through transparency and trust, we work hard to ensure that our advancement processes are fair and equitable to everyone.  

 

Lippes Mathias supports the University at Buffalo’s Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program, where undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in the legal field are enrolled in law-related classes taught by law professors. These students learn critical thinking, writing and oral advocacy skills, LSAT preparation strategies, and how to successfully navigate the law school admissions process.  

 

Lippes Mathias sponsors a Discover Law Scholar each year, and we host the entire group each year for a lunch and networking event to learn more about opportunities in the legal field. We are proud that the Discover Law students describe their visit to our office as one of the highlights of the program.

 

Click here to view a recap video of the event we hosted for the 2023 Discover Law students.

 

Service to our community is embedded in our firm DNA. From individual efforts to firm-wide programs, we prioritize and encourage service and volunteerism at the grassroots level at all office locations. We focus our community service work on projects and initiatives that aim to help historically underserved groups. 

 

We recently co-hosted a panel presentation titled, “Building Community by Committing to Diversity” that was moderated by Lippes Mathias partner, Andrew M. Wilson, and included speakers: Steve Stout, President, Canisius College and Crystal Rodrigues-Dabney, Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Lippes Mathias co-hosted the event along with the Bar Association of Erie County, the Minority Bar Association of WNY, and the University at Buffalo School of Law.

So why is DEI important to us? Why does Lippes Mathias pursue improved diversity within our firm and support DEI initiatives in our communities? Simply put — because we are always looking for ways to be better.