James D. "Jim" Lantier

John Powers has represented the interests of catastrophically injured individuals for over 50 years. For more than 35 consecutive years, he has been selected by a nationwide vote as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for his representation of plaintiffs in three separate areas of practice: “medical malpractice law”; “product liability litigation”; and “personal injury litigation.” In 2013, John was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in...

Jenna Klucsik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Jenna, who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jenna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric G. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Eric G., who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Matthew D. Gumaer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Matthew D., who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Julian Modesti is Co-Leader of the Business Litigation practice group at Harris Beach Murtha, based in Syracuse, New York. With over 30 years of experience, Julian has a substantial background in both state and federal court matters related to commercial litigation. These include handling disputes among shareholders, partners, and members, addressing business separations, lease and land-use issues, contract disputes, and safeguarding trade secrets as well as dealing with unfair competition an...

Zachary Mattison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Zachary, who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Zachary is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Bottar brings more than 20 years of experience to the pursuit of medical malpractice, wrongful death, and complex personal injury actions throughout New York and the northeastern United States, with a focus on claims for birth injuries, neonatal/pediatric negligence, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, nerve injuries, cancer misdiagnosis, and liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Mr. Bottar is a graduate of Colgate University and is a summa cum laude (top 2%) graduate of Syracuse U...

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 ...

Jeffrey M. Fetter is a partner of Scolaro, Shulman, Cohen, Fetter & Burstein, P.C. in Syracuse, New York and is Chairman of the Business Practice Group. His statewide practice focuses on business, estate, tax, succession and transactional planning for closely held and family owned enterprises. Legal services Jeff provides his clients include: state, federal and international tax and business planning; estate and long term care planning; business and succession planning for closely held an...