For many attorneys, practicing law is about service, dedication, and building relationships with clients. For Peter M. Hobaica and his son, Peter W., it’s also about family. Their father-son business partnership blends personal connection with professional commitment, creating a practice built on compassion, trust, and shared values.
In this article, they reflect on what drew each of them to the law, how they decided to work together, and what it means to balance business with family.
(Peter M.): I came to the law later in life. I didn’t go straight to college after high school, but law was always something I wanted to do. When I finally entered college, my wife was working as a nurse, and our children were just six months and two years old. It was a struggle to get through law school under those circumstances, but it was something I desired deeply, and I’m proud I followed through.
(Peter W.): I was nine years old when my dad graduated from law school, so I saw him go through the process. That planted the seed for me. There was never pressure or expectation that I’d become a lawyer or join the practice. I earned a history degree, moved away for three years, and worked in the insurance industry, where I interacted with attorneys. That’s when I thought, Maybe it’s time to go back to school.
Each summer during law school, I worked with my dad. By the time I graduated, joining him became a no-brainer: why wouldn’t I work with my best friend and my favorite teacher?
(Peter W.): Before law school, I lived in Boston, and the plan was to go back there after graduation. But each summer, I came home and worked with my dad. It just felt like the right fit. We already had a great personal relationship, and working together was a natural extension of that. Honestly, my favorite part of being a lawyer is working with my dad.
(Peter M.): I remember getting a call from him in his last year of law school. He said, Pop, if there’s any room, I’d like to join the firm. My response was, Watch how fast we make room for you! It surprised me a little, but it’s been a wonderful experience, and I think it’s benefited us both.
With decades of combined experience, Peter Hobaica and his son, Peter W., of Hobaica Law Office, bring both tradition and a fresh perspective to serving clients across New York. Their partnership blends seasoned legal knowledge with a personal, family-based approach that clients find both reassuring and effective. Having worked side by side on everything from complex injury claims to real estate matters, they’ve built a practice rooted in compassion, trust, and collaboration.
If you’re seeking attorneys who treat you like family while fighting for your best outcome, contact Hobaica Law Office today.
(Peter W.): We share the same core value: taking care of our clients. That’s always first.
(Peter M.): I was going to say compassion, which is essentially the same sentiment. That’s really at the heart of what we both bring.
(Peter W.): We complement each other well. If one of us needs help, we’re just a few steps away. And yes, the old saying is true: two heads are better than one.
(Peter W.): Our bond was always strong. You graduate from high school, go off to college, and typically, you’re out on your own. When you move out of your parents’ home, the relationship becomes a series of visits. When I was living in Boston, it would be a phone call here and there or a visit on the holidays.
Practicing law with my dad changed that. I have my own family now and live a bit away, but working together has really given us the chance to spend more time together as adults. There are some days when we might just pass each other in the office, share a hug, or have lunch together. Those little moments are priceless.
(Peter W.): We’ve had disagreements, of course, but they never come between us. Usually, they end with, Okay, so where are we having lunch? We both know it’s business, not personal. Having the bond we have means even if we were on opposite ends of the spectrum, it wouldn’t drive a wedge between us.
(Peter M.): It always works itself out with communication and discussion. Whoever is primarily responsible for the case takes the lead, but we always talk to each other and share ideas. We may have different opinions about how to proceed, but I’ll offer him my recommendations and he’ll do the same. If you don’t agree, then you just move on.
(Peter W.): And we’re blessed with a great staff that will play devil’s advocate, which helps. In the end, it all works out through communication and mutual respect.
(Peter M.): I would say personal injury cases.
(Peter W.): I agree. In every aspect of our practice, we’re here to help people. Our prime motivation is to help the people who come to us. When clients thank us sincerely at the end of a difficult case. You don’t always get a thank you or get to see what happens after a case is resolved, but when you do, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
When I first started practicing law, I thought real estate closings were the happiest part of the practice. Everyone was excited to buy or sell a home. Over time, though, those transactions have become more complicated and even contentious. With personal injury, the stakes are high, and emotions run deep. But when you can deliver results and give someone peace of mind, that thank-you means everything.
If you’re seeking legal representation in New York backed by not only experience but compassion, an initial consultation with Hobaica Law Office is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (315) 201-5653 (Utica) | (607) 200-5487 (Cooperstown) today.
With decades of combined experience, Peter Hobaica and his son, Peter W., of Hobaica Law Office, bring both tradition and a fresh perspective to serving clients across New York. Their partnership blends seasoned legal knowledge with a personal, family-based approach that clients find both reassuring and effective. Having worked side by side on everything from complex injury claims to real estate matters, they’ve built a practice rooted in compassion, trust, and collaboration.
If you’re seeking attorneys who treat you like family while fighting for your best outcome, contact Hobaica Law Office today.
