Daniel R. Santola Founder
Founding Partner since 1987
Learn More About Dan
After graduating from Albany Law School, he was an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Management in Troy, NY, 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, LLP., 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 by the American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top 100 trial lawyers. He was named “as Lawyer of the Year for 2012 for Medical Malpractice Law by Best Lawyers. Dan has also been named in “New York’s Top Lawyers,” “Who’s Who in American Law,” “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World.”
Important Highlights
Dan has spent more than 30 years teaching various topics within the field 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, the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, Albany Law School, Albany Medical Center, Syracuse University Law School, and a number of other scholastic and professional institutions.
He was among the first trial lawyers to employ the use of technology in presenting personal injury cases to a jury, including video animation and computer graphics to demonstrate causes of accidents; SPECT scans to document and display brain injuries; and “Day in the Life” films to bring into the courtroom the everyday 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 malpractice 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.
Additional Affiliations
He 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 Dean of Continued Legal Education for the New York Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Areas of Practice
- Hospital Malpractice – Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs
- Serious or Catastrophic Personal Injury – Plaintiffs
- Products Liability – Plaintiffs
- Premises Liability – Plaintiffs
- Construction/Workplace Accidents – Plaintiffs
- Motor Vehicle Accidents – Plaintiffs
Education
- Buffalo State College State University of New York (BA) 1971
- Albany Law School of Union University (JD) 1974
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
Past Employment Positions
Faculty Appointments
Honors and Awards
Published Works
Classes/Seminars
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Powers & Santola, LLP – Founding Partner, 1987 – Present
- Bloomberg & Santola, Esqs. – 1976 – 1987
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – 1976 – 1980
- Martin Brickman, Esq. – Associate Attorney 1974-1976
- Assistant Professor – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY School of Management, 1976-1978
- Adjunct Professor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 1978-1990
- Guest Lecturer, Syracuse University School of Law, 2005 – Present
- Guest Lecturer, Albany Law School, 2005 – 2010
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Director 2005 – Present
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Dean of Continued Legal Education 2005 – Present
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Charter Member, 2005 – Present
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, President; Capital District Regional Affiliate, 1988-1992
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 1988 – 2004
- New York State Bar Association, Member of the House of Delegates, 1995 – 1999
- American Association for Justice, Sustaining Member, 1991 – Present
- American Board of Trial Advocates, President, Albany Chapter, 1999 – 2001
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Senior Member, 1992 – Present
- New York Bar Foundation, Fellow, 1998 – Present
- Chief Judge’s Commision on the Jury, 2003
- Powers & Santola, LLP is nationally ranked as a Tier 1 Law Firm (top ranking) by US News and World Report – Best Lawyers in America in the field of personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability litigation.
- Chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for over 25 consecutive years.
- Selected as one of New York State’s Top Ten Lawyers, upstate region. Super Lawyers 2011.
- Best Lawyer Of The Year, Medical Malpractice 2012 and again 2014
- American Trial Lawyers Association – Top 100 Lawyers (Multi-Year listing)
- 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-Hubbel “AV” Peer Rating (Multi-year listing)
- Who’s Who in American Law” (Multi-year listing)
- “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
- “New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Recent Decisions in Construction Accident" Annually, 1989-2003
- “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
- “New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers Annual Update for Labor Law Construction Accidents", 2004-Present
- The Plaintiff’s Law Suit Causes of Action and Pleading Rules Chapter 4, Construction Site Personal Injury Litigation, New York State Bar Association, July, 2006
- The Plaintiff’s Law Suit, Causes of Action and Pleading Rules, Chapter 4 Construction Site Personal Injury Litigation, New York Labor Law §§200, 240(1), 241(6)2006, Revised 2008-2021
- Litigation Construction Accidents in New York, West Publishing Co., 2010
- The Changing World of Medicine and The Law That Protects Patients, Chapter 2 “Representing Plaintiffs in Medical Malpractice Cases, Thomson Reuters/ ASPATORE, 2012
- Labor Law Actions, Chapter 2 of The Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Action in New York, New York State Bar Asscoaition, 2008; Revision 2016, 2018
- Revision 2018
- Revisions – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Revisions – 2008, 2014
- 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 Car 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
- 10/88 – every year through 2004 – Decisions Seminar – “Recent Developments in Labor Law” – New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute
- 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 “The Pharmacist’s Tort Liability”, Pharmacy School of Union University
- 11/89 “Trial Tactics”, Albany Law School
- 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
- 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 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
- 11/94 Medical Malpractice Seminar – “Pre-Suit Activities and Pleadings” New York State Bar 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
- 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 -n The Trial” New York State Bar Association
- 10/96 “Medical Malpractice Litigation – Pre-Suit Activities and Pleasdings” 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
- 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 Asscoation
- 10/98 “Cross Examination of an Expert”, The American Board of trial Advocates Masters In Trial Program
- 11/98 CLE Education – “Practice Skills – Basic Tort and Insurance Law Practice”, New York State Bar Association
- 12/98 “Federal Civil Litigation In New York” – Albany, NY, Lorman Education Services.
- 3/99 – each year through 2004 – “Summary Judgment Practice in Construction Accident Cases” – New York City, New Your State Trail Lawyers Institute
- 11/99 “Construction Site Litigation” – Tarrytown, NY New York State Bar Association
- 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
- 12/00 “Masters on Jury Selection” – Albany, NY, American Board of Trial Advocates
- 01/01 Legal Update for Court Attorneys – “Selected Civil Issues – Labor Law” – Rye, NY, New York State Unified Court System
- 06/01 – Annual Awards Banquet – “Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls” – Guilderland, NY, New York State Nurses Association
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 Statutes” – New York Citry, City Bar Association
- 2005 – each year through 2018 “Precedents and Statutes for Personal Injury Litigators, Construction Accidents”, Long Island, New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, and White Plains, 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 Lawyers
- 10/07 “Plaintiff’s Discovery” – Albany, NY, New York State Bar Association
- 2008 – each year through 2018 – “Construction Accident Update”, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association
- 01/09 Liens, Set Asides and Special Needs Trusts, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
- 11/09 Discovery Proceedings in Medical Malpractice Cases, New York State Bar Association
- 03/10 Presenting Psychological Injuries at Trial, New York City, Long Island, Albany and Syracuse, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
- 05/11 – “The Nuts and Bolts of New York Construction Accident Law”, Erie County Bar Association
- 11/12 “Medical Malpractice Panel Discussion”, Albany Law School and Albany Medical College
- 3/14 Medical Malpractice, New York State Bar Association
- 3/15 Labor Law 240, 241(6) How To Employ a Hurry Up Offense, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
- 5/15 Supplemental Needs Trust, New York State Bar Association
- 3/17 Direct and Cross For Expert Witnesses, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association
- 4/18 Safely Falling For The Labor Law: A Deep Dive Into Construction Accident Cases – New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Dean of Continued Legal Education, 2005 – Present
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Charter Member, 2005 – Present
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, President; Capital District Regional Affiliate, 1988 – 1992
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 1988 – 2004
- New York State Bar Association, Member of the House of Delegates, 1995 – 1999
- Albany County Bar Association, President, 1997 – 1998
- Albany County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1990 – 1998
- Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, President, 1984 – 1985
- American Association for Justice, Sustaining Member, 1991 – Present
- American Board of Trial Advocates, President, Albany Chapter, 1999 – 2001
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Senior Member, 1992 – Present
- New York Bar Foundation, Fellow, 1998 – Present
- Chief Judge’s Commission on the Jury, 2003
