James R. LaVaute

Jeffrey Pomeroy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jeffrey, who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Amber Wright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Amber, who practices law in Albany, New York, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amber 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...

Stephen Davoli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Stephen, 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 Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

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...

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...

Michael J. Hutter is a Professor of Law at Albany Law School of Union University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1976. He is also Special Counsel to the Albany law firm of Powers & Santola, LLP. Professor Hutter is an honors graduate of Brown University and Boston College Law School. In law school, he was the Editor-In-Chief of Boston College’s law review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. After graduation, Professor Hutter served as law clerk to Judge Matthe...

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...