Our Community
Our Home
Hansel Law, PC is located in a three-story brick row house built in 1900 on North Charles Street. The building survived the great Baltimore fire of 1904 to become the firm's home today.
Heralding in the year our building was constructed, the following appeared on December 30, 1899 as part of a New Year editorial in The Baltimore Sun:
"The year 1900 enjoys special distinction because it is the last year of the 19th century, the greatest century of human progress in all history. With the exception of mathematics and astronomy, all the sciences may be said to have been established in this nineteenth century. Some existed in name before, but all have been revised, changed and developed, so that they bear little relation to the sciences of the same names in the eighteenth or preceding centuries. Nearly every material agency for the transaction of commerce and the comfort of men with which we are now familiar is a product of the 19th century. The use of steam for all purposes, and especially for steamships and locomotives, every commercial use of electricity, for transportation , lighting, telegraphing, telephoning, etc., belongs to the century that will begin its last stage on Monday."
"All the agricultural machinery now in use, the sewing machine, the mechanical devices for setting type and printing newspapers and books and countless other inventions that have cheapened production, extended the use of luxuries to the masses and promoted the spread of intelligence, belong to this marvelous century and some of them to our own day and generation."
"Civilization is advancing with mighty strides; it spreads to almost every corner of the earth, and the 20th century need do little more than gather the fruits of the 19th to make it distinguished beyond all its predecessors."
"Mankind remains akin to the brute creation; force is still employed by individuals and by nations to settle their differences, though the 19th century has made sufficient advances to at least see that there is opportunity to make improvements in this respect."
"The 20th century ought to realize some of the dreams of the nineteenth with respect to the relations between men and between nations, and in the closing year of the century we as individuals may promote the moral advance by giving special attention to our duties and discharging them to the best of our ability...."
"But the world needs a similar development, or rather, spread of moral principles, to the end that, in the next century, mankind may be less selfish, more helpful to one another, less warlike and more just than in any of the centuries that have disappeared in the limbo of time."
This optimistic call to action might serve as a mission statement for Hansel Law, PC.
Heralding in the year our building was constructed, the following appeared on December 30, 1899 as part of a New Year editorial in The Baltimore Sun:
"The year 1900 enjoys special distinction because it is the last year of the 19th century, the greatest century of human progress in all history. With the exception of mathematics and astronomy, all the sciences may be said to have been established in this nineteenth century. Some existed in name before, but all have been revised, changed and developed, so that they bear little relation to the sciences of the same names in the eighteenth or preceding centuries. Nearly every material agency for the transaction of commerce and the comfort of men with which we are now familiar is a product of the 19th century. The use of steam for all purposes, and especially for steamships and locomotives, every commercial use of electricity, for transportation , lighting, telegraphing, telephoning, etc., belongs to the century that will begin its last stage on Monday."
"All the agricultural machinery now in use, the sewing machine, the mechanical devices for setting type and printing newspapers and books and countless other inventions that have cheapened production, extended the use of luxuries to the masses and promoted the spread of intelligence, belong to this marvelous century and some of them to our own day and generation."
"Civilization is advancing with mighty strides; it spreads to almost every corner of the earth, and the 20th century need do little more than gather the fruits of the 19th to make it distinguished beyond all its predecessors."
"Mankind remains akin to the brute creation; force is still employed by individuals and by nations to settle their differences, though the 19th century has made sufficient advances to at least see that there is opportunity to make improvements in this respect."
"The 20th century ought to realize some of the dreams of the nineteenth with respect to the relations between men and between nations, and in the closing year of the century we as individuals may promote the moral advance by giving special attention to our duties and discharging them to the best of our ability...."
"But the world needs a similar development, or rather, spread of moral principles, to the end that, in the next century, mankind may be less selfish, more helpful to one another, less warlike and more just than in any of the centuries that have disappeared in the limbo of time."
This optimistic call to action might serve as a mission statement for Hansel Law, PC.
Hansel Law, PC in the Community
The Hansel Law family recently helped public interest group Communities United serve a holiday dinner in west Baltimore to many in need:
Cary Hansel with U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings at City Hall to call for peace and justice after the death of Freddie Gray:
Hansel Law Extracurricular Activities
Our team is dedicated to expanding our understanding of social issues and spending time growing together. Here, a group from Hansel Law visits the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Hansel Law sponsors an automotive racing team in which firm lawyers participate, racing all across the country. Below are pictures of the Hansel Law Hondas in Arizona and Virginia, where firm lawyers Justin Stefanon and Cary Hansel raced.
Our Charles Village Neighborhood
The firm, situated between the University of Baltimore's law school and the Baltimore Museum of Art, is part of the vibrant Charles Village neighborhood.
Much has been written about our charm city surroundings:
From “The Charles Street Corridor is Being Reborn,” Baltimore Sun, Feb. 13, 2015: “It's obvious that the whole Charles Street corridor, from Federal Hill north, has emerged as a place where people want to live.... The street is a designated National Scenic Byway.... We locals overlook the appeal the street and its landmarks have for tourists.”
From Wikipedia: “Charles Village has for the past several decades attracted a large population of artists and bohemians. The area also has a reputation for being one of the more racially diverse neighborhoods in a city that was largely segregated for decades.”
From, “Charles Village,” Baltimore Sun, Dec. 2, 2004: "Charles Village sits at the crossroads of Baltimore old and new. While historic painted lady row houses are carefully maintained and repainted in traditional Victorian style.... The city's oldest architecture cozies up beside new innovations in music and performance.... Charles Village encompasses academia, history, culture and civic pride into an oasis in busy Baltimore."
"Citizens of Charles Village are typically atypical, as evidenced by the abstract local arts scene and diverse street and neighborhood festivals. Denizens range from Johns Hopkins college students in the heart of Charles Village to young families up and down Abell Avenue to townies and community activists anywhere in between."
"From the Charles Village festival and Halloween fair to the Abell Street Festival and Johns Hopkins Spring Fair, Charles Villagers are never without a reason to celebrate and show off their civic pride. With so much art, history and culture, there is plenty to be proud of."
"At the heart of Charles Village, Johns Hopkins University is a major local institution. Theater flourishes in the university's four major performing arts spaces and a variety of other small venues, with most open to the public for only a few dollars. Monthly screenings of recently released movies as well as Snark Sneak Previews at one of the state's largest movie screens at Hopkins' Shriver Hall keep Charles Villagers busy on weekends."
"Getting to Charles Village is trouble-free thanks to a number of city bus routes that run through the neighborhood. Driving to the locale is a simple trip up Charles Street from downtown.... Nestled in a metropolis, it maintains the feel of a small town with its active and enthusiastic population but has all of the activity and culture of a bustling city."
"On the cutting edge of art, music and higher learning, Charles Village can take years to explore. Alternatively classical and contemporary, Charles Village's arts scene cannot be beat. The Baltimore Museum of Art is home to works by everyone from Matisse to Andy Warhol. With entire wings devoted to post-World War II art and masters from Cezanne to Picasso, the permanent collection at the BMA rivals any major art museum, as does its impressive array of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Also hidden behind the museum's lion-guarded façade is the modern sculpture garden, well worth a stroll and open free to the public during normal museum hours. The BMA's gift shop offers off-beat wares that match the museum's just-outside-of-mainstream atmosphere."
"Also of note at the BMA is its performance space, The Meyerhoff Auditorium. Hosting everything from dance workshops to unique theater pieces, performing art thrives at the BMA and is a local weekend highlight."
"Charles Village's art scene is not all so posh. The neighborhood is also home to a unique blend of eclectic local haunts."
"The Homewood House is the only surviving relic of the time before Charles Village knew Johns Hopkins or painted ladies. Built by Charles Carroll, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (and namesake of Carroll County), in 1801, the Homewood House is a fully furnished home built on what was once a 130-acre farm when the Baltimore city center was an astonishing two miles away. In addition to a spot on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the museum also boasts an ever-changing calendar of special events and lectures as well as regular classical music concerts by performers from the Peabody Institute throughout the spring and summer."
"The matchless nature that defines Charles Village is unmistakable. Its eclectic and often bohemian feel make it a must-see for any Baltimore visitor. Charles Village offers a plethora of options for every preference and palate. The historic neighborhood remains a flashback to Baltimore of old while still keeping pace with the ever-changing city."
From the Live Baltimore website: "Charles Village is an active and diverse community with a strong sense of self-identity. The neighborhood has an abundance of well-known cultural and educational resources.... The Wyman Park Dell, a 16-acre public park, is located on the eastern edge of Charles Village, south of two City landmarks, Johns Hopkins University and The Baltimore Museum of Art , and is one of the few parks in Baltimore fully conceived and designed by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the famous Frederick Olmsted who designed many of America’s landmark parks including NYC’s Central Park), the landscape architecture firm responsible for the City’s first comprehensive park system plan in 1904."
Much has been written about our charm city surroundings:
From “The Charles Street Corridor is Being Reborn,” Baltimore Sun, Feb. 13, 2015: “It's obvious that the whole Charles Street corridor, from Federal Hill north, has emerged as a place where people want to live.... The street is a designated National Scenic Byway.... We locals overlook the appeal the street and its landmarks have for tourists.”
From Wikipedia: “Charles Village has for the past several decades attracted a large population of artists and bohemians. The area also has a reputation for being one of the more racially diverse neighborhoods in a city that was largely segregated for decades.”
From, “Charles Village,” Baltimore Sun, Dec. 2, 2004: "Charles Village sits at the crossroads of Baltimore old and new. While historic painted lady row houses are carefully maintained and repainted in traditional Victorian style.... The city's oldest architecture cozies up beside new innovations in music and performance.... Charles Village encompasses academia, history, culture and civic pride into an oasis in busy Baltimore."
"Citizens of Charles Village are typically atypical, as evidenced by the abstract local arts scene and diverse street and neighborhood festivals. Denizens range from Johns Hopkins college students in the heart of Charles Village to young families up and down Abell Avenue to townies and community activists anywhere in between."
"From the Charles Village festival and Halloween fair to the Abell Street Festival and Johns Hopkins Spring Fair, Charles Villagers are never without a reason to celebrate and show off their civic pride. With so much art, history and culture, there is plenty to be proud of."
"At the heart of Charles Village, Johns Hopkins University is a major local institution. Theater flourishes in the university's four major performing arts spaces and a variety of other small venues, with most open to the public for only a few dollars. Monthly screenings of recently released movies as well as Snark Sneak Previews at one of the state's largest movie screens at Hopkins' Shriver Hall keep Charles Villagers busy on weekends."
"Getting to Charles Village is trouble-free thanks to a number of city bus routes that run through the neighborhood. Driving to the locale is a simple trip up Charles Street from downtown.... Nestled in a metropolis, it maintains the feel of a small town with its active and enthusiastic population but has all of the activity and culture of a bustling city."
"On the cutting edge of art, music and higher learning, Charles Village can take years to explore. Alternatively classical and contemporary, Charles Village's arts scene cannot be beat. The Baltimore Museum of Art is home to works by everyone from Matisse to Andy Warhol. With entire wings devoted to post-World War II art and masters from Cezanne to Picasso, the permanent collection at the BMA rivals any major art museum, as does its impressive array of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Also hidden behind the museum's lion-guarded façade is the modern sculpture garden, well worth a stroll and open free to the public during normal museum hours. The BMA's gift shop offers off-beat wares that match the museum's just-outside-of-mainstream atmosphere."
"Also of note at the BMA is its performance space, The Meyerhoff Auditorium. Hosting everything from dance workshops to unique theater pieces, performing art thrives at the BMA and is a local weekend highlight."
"Charles Village's art scene is not all so posh. The neighborhood is also home to a unique blend of eclectic local haunts."
"The Homewood House is the only surviving relic of the time before Charles Village knew Johns Hopkins or painted ladies. Built by Charles Carroll, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (and namesake of Carroll County), in 1801, the Homewood House is a fully furnished home built on what was once a 130-acre farm when the Baltimore city center was an astonishing two miles away. In addition to a spot on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the museum also boasts an ever-changing calendar of special events and lectures as well as regular classical music concerts by performers from the Peabody Institute throughout the spring and summer."
"The matchless nature that defines Charles Village is unmistakable. Its eclectic and often bohemian feel make it a must-see for any Baltimore visitor. Charles Village offers a plethora of options for every preference and palate. The historic neighborhood remains a flashback to Baltimore of old while still keeping pace with the ever-changing city."
From the Live Baltimore website: "Charles Village is an active and diverse community with a strong sense of self-identity. The neighborhood has an abundance of well-known cultural and educational resources.... The Wyman Park Dell, a 16-acre public park, is located on the eastern edge of Charles Village, south of two City landmarks, Johns Hopkins University and The Baltimore Museum of Art , and is one of the few parks in Baltimore fully conceived and designed by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the famous Frederick Olmsted who designed many of America’s landmark parks including NYC’s Central Park), the landscape architecture firm responsible for the City’s first comprehensive park system plan in 1904."