Annabelle Gao - Williamsville, NY

Attorney Annabelle Gao grew up in Ontario, Canada. She graduated from McMaster University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned a Law Clerk diploma from Seneca College. She worked full-time at a divorce law firm in Toronto, and on some weekends, she worked as a Victim Services Crisis Counselor with the Toronto Police. Annabelle then earned her Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law and was admitted to practice law in New York State.

Before joining William Mattar, P.C. Annabelle worked at civil litigation law firms, with practice areas in National Appellate Litigation & Consulting, Business & Commercial Litigation, New York Labor Law, Trucking & Transportation, and General Liability. Annabelle focused her practice on handling high-exposure, catastrophic property, and casualty matters by shaping strategies to identify and mitigate defendants’ risk.

When we asked Annabelle why she wanted to be part of the William Mattar team, she answered, “I strive to be the person who walks in when everyone else walks out.” She told us the firm’s purpose aligns with her values as they believe in fighting for those some may ignore. Annabelle believes it is even more important to help someone when no one else will; a slim chance of succeeding is not a good reason to give up on someone. To her, fighting that uphill battle can be more rewarding, because that’s what making a difference is all about.

Annabelle’s values can be summed up by a quote written by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Annabelle explained that life is short and is filled with both good and bad, but the bad doesn’t have to be as bad. If you have the power to make someone’s life just a little bit easier, then do it. Every action we take and every word we speak all lead to different results that will affect more than just one person. Annabelle knows that working hard to get the best results means not only making a difference in her client’s lives but making a difference to the people around them.

When she is not championing her clients, Annabelle enjoys hiking, weight training, cooking, spending time with her dogs, and trying new restaurants. Her dream is to visit as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites as possible.