Attorney Profiles

Patrick J. Higgins is a partner in the law firm of Powers & Santola, LLP, where he limits his practice to representing the seriously 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 26 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. Since 2007, Mr. Higgins has been listed annually in Super Lawyers™ for Upstate New York. In 2009 he was listed by Super Lawyers ™ as one of the top 25 medical malpractice lawyers in the Hudson Valley.

Mr. Higgins is currently serving on 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. He also is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

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" first published in 2009, with the Second Edition being published in March, 2012. Since 2003, Mr. Higgins has 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. Mr. Higgins is now working on the 2012 edition, to be published in the spring of 2012.

Mr. Higgins has also 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 in 2009, 2006 and 2003. 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 served 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.

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. Mr. Higgins also 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 Academy, the New York State Trial Lawyers' Association and the Albany County Bar Association. He has also appeared on local television to discuss how medical malpractice impacts the client and how attorneys should review and analyze medical malpractice cases for clients.