Christopher Babiarz

Dartmouth College AB 1982 cum laude with distinction in Gov't Boston University JD 1986 I began my career in the litigation dept at Palmer and Dodge in Boston, Massachusetts until I returned home to Syracuse in 1989 to work trying cases at Smith Sovik. I became a partner in 1992 and Managing Partner in 2005. I have tried over 100 cases to verdict in many different practice areas including medical and professional malpractice, legal malpractice, labor law/personal injury, product liability, co...

Eric G. Johnson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Eric G. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Eric G. Johnson since 2011. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Eric G...

Dave Capriotti serves as the managing partner of Harris Beach Murtha's Syracuse office. His practice primarily involves commercial litigation and complex financial restructuring litigation. He is also adept in litigating contract and construction cases. Dave has extensive courtroom experience, having conducted many jury trials, bench trials, and hearings across New York state and federal courts, including the United States Bankruptcy Court.

Edward J. Smith III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Edward J. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Edward J. Smith III since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Edward J. Smith III is held by other lawyers.

Brendan focuses on intellectual property matters and commercial litigation, and he has significant experience efficiently and promptly reviewing corporate contracts. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade dress infringement actions. He also prosecutes trademark and copyright applications in the United States and globally, and is frequently before the TTAB in cancellation and opposition proceedings. Brendan is also an experienced commercial liti...

Upon graduating from law school, where he received the Most Outstanding Advocate Award, Steve became a member of the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps). He served as a prosecutor and later became the lead prosecutor at Mayport Naval Station in Mayport, Florida, which involved his supervising other attorneys and their support staff in addition to trying cases. As a prosecutor, he handled some of the Navy's most high profile cases and tried over seventy cases to verdict. He ...

John Trop is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized John Trop since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John Trop is held by other lawyers.

Michael is one of Upstate New York's most accomplished trial lawyers. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the pursuit of medical malpractice, wrongful death, and complex personal injury actions throughout New York, with a focus on claims for birth injuries, misdiagnosis, neonatal/pediatric negligence, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, nerve injuries, and liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Michael is past president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (2024-2025...

Mr. Bottar is one of upstate New York's most experienced and accomplished trial lawyers, with a track record of extraordinary recoveries for his clients. As the founder and managing member of Bottar Law, PLLC, he brings more than 40 years of experience to the pursuit of cases involving birth injuries, brain and nerve injuries, amputation, paralysis, and wrongful death due to medical negligence, complex accidents, workplace injuries and defective products. Mr. Bottar has been continuously list...

Matthew D. Gumaer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Matthew D. practices law in Syracuse, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew D. Gumaer since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew D. ...