As soon as settlement built up in the Genesee Country, there was work for the lawyer. While many agreements were of the handshake variety, the clearing and conveyance of land titles required the service of a lawyer if there were any complicated issues involved. Lawyers were needed to draw wills, execute deeds and mortgages, sort out and help resolve cases of disputed ownership. The lawyer was often called upon to represent landlords, land agents and mortgage holders in the actions against the delinquent farmer-settler. As one historian noted, "Lawyers served a society which by its political nature was litigious."

When towns and villages were being organized, the lawyer was needed to prepare the formal documents. Many country lawyers embarked upon political careers and were elected to the state legislature or assembly. Some went on to become congressmen, some became judges and some grew rich.

After an apprenticeship as a clerk in an established lawyer's office, George Hastings came to Mount Morris, N.Y. in 1829 and hung out his shingle. For 36 years he enjoyed a successful practice, in the course of which he distinguished himself as a political leader, congressman and judge. The Hastings Law office now in the historic village was built around 1850.