Ellen Shanahan Becker, Partner

Contact Info

Phone number: (716) 852-5200
Email: ebecker@hwcomp.com

Admitted to Practice

• New York, 1994

Education

• State University of New York at Buffalo Law School
  • J.D., 1993
  • Robert J. Connelly Award for Trial Technique

• Catholic University of America
  • B.A., 1990, English Literature, summa cum laude
  • Phi Beta Kappa Member

Ms. Becker has been practicing Workers’ Compensation Law exclusively since her admission to the New York State Bar in 1994, primarily representing carriers, self-insureds, and employers directly. 

She is the Past Chair and a current member of the Erie County Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Committee and frequently lectures at CLEs for the Bar Association.

Ms. Becker handles all aspects of litigation, including initial contact with employers during the investigation, necessary filings, witness preparation, court appearances, lay and medical testimony.  Over her career, she has cross-examined hundreds of medical professionals including most of Western New York’s most prominent orthopedic and neurologic specialists, always with the goal of ensuring that claims brought are for legitimate workplace injuries only and truly causally related medical care. Ms. Becker negotiates and drafts final settlement agreements to end liability, both medical and indemnity, frequently encompassing Medicare set aside, annuity and third party settlement issues. 

In addition to her practice, Ms. Becker serves on the Board of Directors for The Arc Erie County (formerly Heritage Centers), a not for profit company dedicated to creating opportunities for People with intellectual and developmental Disabilities.

A Nardin Academy graduate, Ms. Becker served on both the Nardin Academy Alumnae Association Board and Board of Trustees. In 2009, after serving as President, she was the recipient of the Nardin Academy Distinguished Alumnae Award.

Ms. Becker is currently on the 21 Connect Board of Directors serving as Secretary. 21 Connect is a not for profit advocacy arm for improving medical services for children with down syndrome in WNY.

Ms. Becker and her husband are raising 4 daughters in the city of Buffalo and are fully committed to the sustainability of the Western New York business community.