Attorney Profiles

Patrick J. Higgins is a partner in the law firm of Powers & Santola, LLP, where he limits his practice to representing the catastrophically injured and their families. He also practices environmental law.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Buffalo, School of Law, Mr. Higgins has practiced as a litigator for 23 years. He is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Trial Practice and a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Attorneys' ("NITA") Master Advocate Program. In 2007 and 2008 Mr. Higgins was listed in SuperLawyers for Upstate New York. In 2009 Mr. Higgins was named to the New York State Court System's panel for the Albany area that evaluates whether judges seeking office through election in the area are qualified, formally known as the Third Judicial District Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission.
 
Mr. Higgins is the editor in chief and a contributing author to the New York State Bar Associations' 43 chapter textbook The Plaintiff's Personal Injury Action in New York State published in 2009.  He has also since 2003 edited and authored the New York Lawyer's Deskbook Preparing For and Litigating the Plaintiff's Personal Injury Action in New York, published annually by the New York State Bar Association.

In 2006 Mr. Higgins created and planned the New York State Bar Association state wide seminar "Managing Tough Issues in a Personal Injury Case," held across New York State. He has also chaired and moderated state wide New York State Bar Association seminars on "Litigating Kumho Tire, Daubert and Frye in State and Federal Courts.  From 1999 to 2004, he was a member of the editorial board of the New York State Trial Lawyers publication "Bill of Particulars" and frequently contributed to that publication. From 1999 to 2006 he authored a monthly column on trial practice and law, analyzing recent opinions of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, entitled "Third Department Review" for the practicing bar.

Mr. Higgins was president of the Albany County Bar Association in 2008, and in 2009 is serving as the immediate past president and a member of its board of directors.  A past member of its judicial qualifications, grievance and pro bono committees,   Mr. Higgins also received the distinguished service award for service to the Albany County Bar Association in 1999.    

In 2007 Mr. Higgins, as president elect of the Albany County Bar Association, created the first annual Bike Safety Event for Children. Working with local hospitals, doctors, police, EMT, and media, the event gave away 169 bike helmets to children in Albany County and instructed the children on keeping safe in real life situations.  In the winter of 2008, as president of Albany County Bar Association, Mr. Higgins launched a clothing drive for members to help the Capital City Mission distribute clothing to those in need.     

Mr. Higgins has spoken at and moderated seminars for the American Association of Justice (AAJ), the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers' Association and the Albany County Bar Association.  In 2008 he appeared on local television to discuss how medical malpractice impacts the client and how attorneys should review and analyze medical malpractice cases for clients.