Insight

Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP

Medical Defense Health Care Litigation Employment and Labor Law Professional Liability General Liability

Picture of Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP Attorneys
Best Lawyers

Written by Best Lawyers

Published: December 2, 2016

Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP is New York’s oldest boutique litigation and appellate firm specializing in medical defense, health care litigation, employment and labor law, general liability, and professional liability. The Firm has provided litigation defense services to members of New York State’s professional community for more than 100 years. The experience and stability shows in its successes and the tenures of MCB’s lead attorneys: Many of the Firm’s partners have practiced at MCB for more than 15 years, and the Firm’s senior partners have all practiced their specialties at the Firm for more than 20 years.

“As by far the oldest firm in New York specializing in the defense of medical malpractice actions, Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP has unrivaled institutional knowledge and experience,” says senior MCB partner Anthony M. Sola, who has been recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2017 New York metro area “Lawyer of the Year” for medical malpractice law – defendants. “Our experience, coupled with the quality and stability of our partnership is why New York’s largest hospital health care systems and its largest professional liability insurer have, for many decades, turned to MCB to handle their most difficult, challenging, and high-profile cases.”

MCB’s clients include some of the country’s leading teaching hospitals, major insurance companies, and individuals. “We have long depended on MCB’s experience and results in complex medical and health care matters and now rely on its expertise in other practice areas,” notes one of the Firms’ clients, an associate general counsel at a major university medical center. Related to medical and health care litigation defense, the Firm provides advice and management of health care crisis situations and has experience in handling mass patient exposures, conduct of impaired professionals, and situations that require immediate management of legal issues, health problems, and media exposure. The Firm’s expanding Labor & Employment practice group, headed by an experienced partner from a national employment firm represents employers of all sizes, in all industries.

Five MCB senior partners have been continuously named to The Best Lawyers in America: John L.A. Lyddane, from 1995 to present; Bruce G. Habian, who was recognized as the New York metro area “Lawyer of the Year” for medical malpractice law – defendants in 2013, from 1995 to present; Anthony M. Sola, from 1999 to present; Peter T. Crean, from 2006 to present; and Kenneth R. Larywon, for 2016 and 2017. Four of these same MCB senior partners—John L.A. Lyddane, Bruce G. Habian, Anthony M. Sola, and Peter T. Crean—have also been elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers. The Firm holds a Tier 1 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” ranking in the New York metro area for legal malpractice law – defendants, medical malpractice law – defendants, and personal injury litigation – defendants. Additionally, 20 MCB partners have attained the Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating of AV Preeminent®, and members of the Firm have additionally been named among the New York’s Super Lawyers and Legal Leaders.

Access top-rated lawyers through the Best Lawyers Find a Lawyer tool to help with your legal matters.

Article Tags:

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Trending Articles

The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids


by Bryan Driscoll

Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?

family law surrogacy adoption headline

Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore


by Jamilla Tabbara

Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.

Illustrated maps of Australia, Japan and Singapore displayed with their national flags, representing

Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain


by Jamilla Tabbara

A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.

Map highlighting the 2026 Best Lawyers honorees across Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Sp

Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies


by Bryan Driscoll

Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.

Stack of money wrapped in a festive bow, symbolizing holiday pay

Can a Green Card Be Revoked?


by Bryan Driscoll

Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.

Close-up of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card showing the text 'PERMANENT RESIDENT'

New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody


by Bryan Driscoll

Reforms are sweeping, philosophically distinct and designed to change the way families operate.

definition of family headline

How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?


by Bryan Driscoll

Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.

Gloved hand holding a spread of one-hundred-dollar bills near an IRS tax document

US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory


by Bryan Driscoll

The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.

US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory headline

The 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico


by Jamilla Tabbara

The region’s most highly regarded lawyers.

Map highlighting Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico for the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards

Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards


by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.

Red credit card on point-of-sale terminal representing credit card debt

Uber’s Staged Accidents Lawsuit a Signal Flare for Future of Fraud Litigation


by Bryan Driscoll

Civil RICO is no longer niche, and corporate defendants are no longer content to play defense.

Uber staged car crash headline

Anthropic Class Action a Warning Shot for AI Industry


by Bryan Driscoll

The signal is clear: Courts, not Congress, are writing the first rules of AI.

authors vs anthropic ai lawsuit headline

How to Get Full Custody of a Child


by Bryan Driscoll

Learn the legal steps, required evidence and common misconceptions about full custody to protect your parental rights.

Child holding hands with two parents, symbolizing custody

How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers


by Jamilla Tabbara

Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.

AI chat bubble icon with stars representing artificial intelligence transforming client-lawyer conne

Colorado’s 2026 Water Rights Battles


by Bryan Driscoll

A new era of conflict begins.

Colorado Water Rights 2026: A New Era of Conflict headline

Canadian Firms Explore AI, But Few Fully Embrace the Shift


by David L. Brown

BLF survey reveals caution despite momentum.

Canadian Firms Explore AI, But Few Fully Embrace the Shift headline