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Daniel R. Santola 
Albany, New York
Partner, since 1987
phone (518) 478-6616
(866) 689-9692 (Toll Free)
fax (518) 426-4012
email Email Me

Daniel R. Santola is a senior partner and co-founder of Powers & Santola, LLP. His practice is limited to the representation of catastrophically injured individuals, the field of law in which he has over 25 years experience. Born in Syracuse, New York, Dan received his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Buffalo in 1971.

After graduating from Albany Law School, he became an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Management in Troy, New York, until 1976, when he decided to concentrate his legal efforts in the field of personal injury law. Dan accepted an associate position with one of the Capital Region's top trial lawyers and after five years became a partner in the firm of Bloomberg & Santola.

In 1987, he and longtime friend and colleague, John K. Powers, decided to form the firm of Powers & Santola, with a simple mission statement: To provide our clients with the best possible legal representation. This requires treating each case on an individual basis and developing the unique facts of each case, rather than processing a large number of claims.

In the pursuit of his goal, Dan has achieved several awards of distinction. He has consistently been named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America," and is listed in the "Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry of Pre-eminent Lawyers," "New York's Top Lawyers," "Who's Who in American Law," "Who's Who in America," "Who's Who in the East," "Who's Who in the World" and "Who's Who in Finance and Industry."

Dan has spent more than twenty-five years teaching various topics within the specialty of personal injury law, covering subjects such as construction accidents, medical malpractice, trial tactics, evidence and products liability. He has lectured for the Office of Court Administration in its Continuing Legal Education programs for judges and court attorneys, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, the New York Trial Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Albany County Bar Association, the American Board Of Trial Advocates, Albany Law School, the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, Albany Medical Center, Syracuse University Law School, and a number of other scholastic and professional institutions.

Dan has been on the cutting edge in the use of technology and experts in personal injury trials. He is among the first in New York to use video animation and computer graphics as evidence in personal injury trials, computer graphics and SPECT scans to document and display brain injuries and "Day In The Life" films to bring into the courtroom the every day consequences of a permanent injury.

Dan has been at the forefront in the use of highly specialized experts such as placental pathologists, pediatric neuroradiologists and neonatologists to illustrate negligence in obstetrical cases; human factors engineers and biomechanics to demonstrate defective product designs; and physiatrists, vocational rehabilitationists and economists to calculate and document the full extent of losses caused by a devastating injury.

Dan has always been active in professional organizations and has served in numerous leadership roles. He is a past-president of the Capital Region Affiliate of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the Albany County Bar Association, The Capital District Trial Lawyers Association and the Albany Affiliate of the American Board Of Trial Advocates. Dan also holds the rank of Master Trial Advocate in the Albany Law School's American Inns of Court.

Profession: Attorney; Practice limited to the representation of catastrophically-injured individuals.

Faculty Appointments: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY School of Management,
-Adjunct Professor 1978 - 1980
-Associate Professor 1976 - 1978

Year Joined Organization:
1987
Bar Admissions:
New York
U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court Western District of New York
U.S. District Court District of Vermont
Education:
Albany Law School Union University, Albany, New York, 1974
J.D.


State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 1971
B.A.


Published Works:
"Medical Equipment", Products Liability Practice Guide, Matthew Bender & Co., Inc., 1988


"Construction Accidents", New York Negligence Guide, (Co- Author with John K. Powers), Matthew Bender & Co., Inc., 1989


"Construction Accidents, How to be a Winner", Tri-Cities Building & Construction Trades Council, (Co- Author with John K. Powers), Fall, 1989


"Compensating the Catastrophically Injured", (Co- Author with John K. Powers), 1989


"Using SPECT Scans to Show Head Injuries", (Co- Author with Timothy J. Higgins), New York Law Journal, May, 1998


"The Plaintiff Law Suit", Personal Injury Litigation, New York State Bar Association, July, 2006


Classes/Seminars Taught:
11/83 - "Trial Tactics" Seminar, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


02/84 - "New York State Procedures for Video-Taped Depositions", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


03/84 - "Trial of a Personal Injury Action", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


05/85 - "Trial of a Construction Accident", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


06/87 - "Dynamics of Evaluating Damages in a Head Injury Case", Albany County Bar Association


11/87 - "Hi-Tech Trial Tactics", New York State Bar Association


11/87 - "Head Injury - Real Issues - Practical Answers", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center - The head Injury Center at Highgate


11/88-91 - "Insurance Issues Affecting Catastrophically-Injured Persons", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center - Boston MA


01/88 - "Art of Discovery Proceedings Under New York State Civil Practice", New York State Bar Association


03/88 - "The Law of Medical Malpractice", New York State Bar Association


10/88 - "Personal Injury Litigation", New York State Bar Association


11/88 - "Insurance Coverage for Head Injured Victims", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center - The Head Injury Center at Highgate


07/89 - "Sources of Recovery for the Head Injured", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center - The Head Injury Center at Highgate


08/89 - "Real Issues Caused by Head Injury", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center - The Head Injury Center at Highgate


11/89 - "Law of Construction Accidents" - Albany, Buffalo and Ithaca, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


11/89 - "The Pharmacist's Tort Liability", Pharmacy School of Union University


11/89 - "Trial Tactics", Albany Law School


10/90 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, Buffalo and Nassau County, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


10/90 - "Medicine in the Courtroom", New York State Bar Association


05/91 - "Personal Developments in Person Injury Litigation and Insurance Law", New York State Bar Association


09/91 - "Breakthroughs in Rehabilitation", New York Chapter of the National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector


10/91 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Buffalo and Nassau County, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


11/91 - "Insurance Issues Involving Head Injury", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Boston MA


01/92 - "Presenting the Testimony of the Accident Reconstructionist", Albany County Bar Association


04/92 - "Insurance Funding", New Medico Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Boston MA


10/92 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Binghamton, Syracuse, Buffalo and Nassau County, New York State Trial Lawyers Association


10/92 - Litigating The Brain Injury Case - "Evaluating the Losses Sustained By The Head injured", new Medico Community Re-Entry Services of Cortland NY


05/93 - "Conducting and Defending Depositions in Personal Injury Cases", New York State Trial Lawyers Institute and Albany County Bar Association


09/94 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Buffalo and Nassau County, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


11/94 - Medical Malpractice Seminar - "Pre-Suit Activities and Pleadings", new York State Bar Association


11/94 - "Updating the Law on Construction Accidents", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


02/95 - "Construction Accidents in New York State", Albany County Bar Association


05/95 - "Labor Law After Ross" - New York City, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


09/95 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Buffalo and Nassau County, new York State Trial Lawyers Institute


03/96 - "Discovery in Civil Lawsuits", Albany County Bar Association


03/96 - "Laying a Proper Foundation for Expert Testimony", Albany County Bar Association


05/96 - "Construction Site Accidents" - New York City, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


05/96 - "The Use of Technology in The Court Room", Albany Law School


06/96 - Annual Convention in Bermuda - "New York All-Star Litigators Forum", New York State Trial Lawyers Association


09/96 - "Basic Civil Practice - The Trial", New York State Bar Association


09/96 - Decisions Seminar - "Updating Construction Accident Law and Medical Malpractice" - New York City, Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Buffalo and Nassau County, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


10/96 - "Medical Malpractice Litigation - Pre-Suit Activities and Pleadings", New York State Bar Association


11/96 - "Premises Liability/Construction Work-Site Accidents", New York State Bar Association


12/96 - "Practical Evidence", New York State Bar Association


03/97 - "Construction Site Accidents" - New York City, New York State Trial Lawyers Association


09/97 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Tort Law" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


03/98 - "Computer Animation", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


04/98 - "Safe Place To Work Law", Northeastern Subcontractors Association


04/98 - "Handling The Auto Accident Case", Albany County Bar Association


10/98 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Construction Accidents" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


10/98 - "Cross Examination of an Expert", The American Board of Trial Advocates Masters In Trial Program


11/98 - CLE Education - "Practical Skills - Basic Tort and Insurance Law Practice", New York State Bar Association


12/98 - "Federal Civil Litigation in New York" - Albany New York, Lorman Education Services


03/99 - "Summary Judgment Practice in Construction Accident Cases" - New York City, New State Trial Lawyers Institute


10/99 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Construction Accidents" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Association


11/99 - "Construction Site Litigation" - Tarrytown NY, New York State Bar Association


03/00 - "Summary Judgment Practice in Construction Accident Cases" - New York City, New State Trial Lawyers Institute


05/00 - "Demonstrative Evidence", Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


07/00 - "Construction Accidents Under New York's Labor Law" - Rye Brook New York, Unified Court System: Judicial Summer Seminars


09/00 - "Selected Civil Issues - Labor Law" - Huntington NY, New York State Unified Court System: Legal Update for Court Attorneys


10/00 - "Selected Civil Issues - Labor Law" - Rochester NY, New York State Unified Court System: Legal Update for Court Attorneys


10/00 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Construction Accidents" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


12/00 - "Masters on Jury Selection" - Albany, NY, American Board of Trial Advocates


1/01 - Legal Update for Court Attorneys - "Selected Civil Issues - Labor Law" - Rye NY, New York State Unified Court System


6/01 - Annual Awards Banquet - "Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls" - Guilderland NY, New York State Nurses Association


10/01 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Tort Law" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


11/01 - "Labor Law Update" - Saratoga Springs NY, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


01/02 - "Labor Law Update" - Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, C.W. Post Campus and White Plains, Office of Court Administration: Legal Seminar for Court Attorneys


01/02 - "Summary Judgment Practice in Construction Accident Cases" - New York City, New State Trial Lawyers Institute


09/02-10/02 - Decisions Seminar - "Recent Developments in Tort Law" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Westchester and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


04/03 - CLE Seminar - "Pre-Managing Tough Issues in a Personal Injury Case" - Albany NY, New York State Bar Association


05/03 - CLE Seminar - "Pre-Suit Activities and Pleadings" - Albany NY, New York State Bar Association


05/03 - "Direct Examination of The Project Manager in A Labor Law Case" - Albany NY, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute (In collaboration with Albany Law School Institute of Legal Studies)


10/03 - "Labor Law Update" - Rochester NY, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


10/03 - Decisions Seminar - "Labor Law" - New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Westchester and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


11/03 - "Labor Law Update" - Saratoga Springs NY, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


01/04 - "Advanced Personal Injury Practice" - New York City, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


01/04-02/04 - "Labor Law Update" - White Plains and Uniondale, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


07/04 - "Summary Judgment Motions" - New York City, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute


09/04 - "Labor Law Update" - Saratoga Springs NY, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


10/04 - "Absolute Liability: Labor Law 240(1) & Related Statues" - New York City, City Bar Center for CLE


10/04 -11/04 - "Labor Law/Construction Accidents" - New York City and Albany, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers


09/05 - "Labor Law" - Albany NY, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


09/05 - "Labor Law/Construction Accidents" - New York City, Syracuse and Albany, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers


01/06 - "Labor Law Update" - White Plains NY, Office of Court Administration: Legal Update Seminar for Court Attorneys


09/06 - "New Rules On Depositions" - Albany NY, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyer


10/06-11/06 - "Precedents and Statutes for Personal Injury Litigators" - Albany, New York City, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers


09/07-11/07 - "Precedents and Statutes for Personal Injury Litigators" -Albany, New York City, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers


10/07 - "Plaintiff's Discovery" - Albany NY, New York State Bar Association


02/08 - "Labor Law" - Albany NY, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association


09/08-11/08 - "Precedents and Statutes for Personal Injury Litigators" Albany, New York City, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers


Honors and Awards:
The Best Lawyers in America (20 + years)


New York Magazine's "New York Area's Top Lawyers" (Multi-year listing)


Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (Multi-year listing)


Super Lawyers' Magazine "Super Lawyer" Designation in Medical Malpractice (Multi-year listing)


Martindale-Hubbell "AV" Peer Rating (Multi-year listing)


"Who's Who in American Law" (Multi-year listing)


"Who's Who in America" (Multi-year listing)


"Who's Who in the East" (Multi-year listing)


"Who's Who in the World" (Multi-year listing)


Professional Associations and Memberships:
New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2005 - Present
Dean


New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
Charter Member


New York State Trial Lawyers Association, 1988 - 1992
President; Capital District Regional Affiliate


New York State Trial Lawyers Association, 1988 - 2004
Board of Directors


New York State Bar Association, 1995 - 1999
Member of the House of Delegates


Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, 1984 - 1985
President


Albany County Bar Association, 1997 - 1998
President


Albany County Bar Association, 1990 - 1998
Board of Directors


American Association for Justice
Sustaining Member


American Board of Trial Advocates, 1999 - 2001
President, Albany Chapter


American Board of Trial Advocates, 1992 - Present
Senior Member


New York Bar Foundation, 1998 - Present
Fellow


American Inns of Court, Albany Law School Chapter, 2008 - Present
President


American Inns of Court, Albany Law School Chapter, 1997 - Present
Master Trial Advocate


Chief Judge's Commission on the Jury, 2003


Past Employment Positions:
Bloomberg and Santola, Esqs., Partner, 1981 - 1987


Bloomberg and Santola, Esqs., Associate, 1976 - 1981


Martin Brickman, Esq., Associate, 1974 - 1975


Contact Information

Albany Office
39 North Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207-2785
Phone: 518.478.6616
Toll-Free: 866.689.9692
E-Mail Us | Directions

Syracuse Office
407 S. Warren Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Toll-Free: 866.689.9692
E-Mail Us | Directions

The Best Lawyers In America Bar Register Preeminent Lawyers 2008 New York Area's Top Lawyers 2008 Super Lawyers LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated For Ethical Standards and Legal Ability