A Full-Service
Litigation And
Defense Practice

Dennis A. First

profile
  • Partner

Location:

Phone:

Fax:

518-465-0015

Email:

Martindale-Hubbell | AV | Preeminent | Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence | Dennis A. First | 2016

Practice Areas

Dennis A. First attended Vassar College and graduated with honors from Ohio State University in 1975. He received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University in 1978. After serving as law clerk to the Hon. Joseph Harris of Albany County Court, he entered private practice in 1979.

Dennis practice emphasizes the defense of physicians, hospitals and nursing homes in malpractice cases, lawyers in legal malpractice cases, manufacturers in products liability cases, and the defense of general liability cases, including premises liability, construction accidents, automobile negligence and municipal liability. As a trial lawyer for more than 30 years, Dennis has achieved a remarkable record of success for clients both inside and outside of the courtroom. He often defends professionals in administrative proceedings brought by various administrative agencies.

Dennis is a member of the Albany County, New York State and American Bar Associations. He is an appointed member of the State Bar Association's Special Committee to Confer with the State's Medical Society. He is a member of the Capital District Trial Lawyers, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI). Dennis frequently lectures for the New York State Bar Association and other organizations in the areas of trial practice and procedure.

Areas of Practice

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Products Liability

Bar Admissions

  • New York, 1979
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1985
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1979
  • U.S. District Court Western District of New York, 1979

Education

  • Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
    • J.D. - 1978
  • Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
    • B.A. - 1975
    • Honors: With Distinction
    • Major: Political Science
  • Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York

Classes / Seminars

  • Lecturer: “Basic Civil Practice-The Trial”, New York State Bar Association, 1993
  • “New York Medical Malpractice”, National Business Institute, 1993
  • “Psychiatric Malpractice Issues in New York”, American Psychiatric Association, Northeastern New York Region, 1993
  • “Federal Practice”, New York State Bar Association, 1995 to 1996
  • “Products Liability”, Albany County Claims Association, 2000
  • “Medical Malpractice”, New York Psychiatric Association, 2000
  • “Trial Preparation Secrets”, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute, 2001
  • “Expert Witness: Procedures, Discovery and Trial Issues in New York”, Lorman Education Services, 2005
  • “Construction Site Accidents: The Law and the Trial”, New York State Bar Association, 2007, 2009, 2010
  • Trial practice and procedure, New York State Bar Association

Honors and Awards

  • Albany Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" - 2018
  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Albany, NY - 2017
  • Super Lawyers 2007-2019 Upstate New York Personal Injury Defense
  • Super Lawyers 2007-2018 - Top 25 Hudson Valley
  • Super Lawyers - Top 50 Upstate New York Lawyers, 2007-2020
  • Martindale Hubbell – AV Rated-Very High to Preeminent
  • New York State Bar Association President's Pro Bono Service Law Firm Award
  • Best Lawyers 2020 Lawyer of the Year – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • Upstate New York Super Lawyers 2019, Personal Injury Litigation, General Defense
  • Best Lawyers in America Product Liability Litigation - Defendants & Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023
  • Best Lawyers 2024 Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Insurance, Albany, NY
  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Albany County Bar Association, Member
  • New York State Bar Association, Member
  • Trial Lawyers Association, Member
  • New York State Bar Association, Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law and Environment Law Sections, Member
  • State Bar Association, Appointed Member, Special Committee to Confer with the State's Medical Society
  • DRI, Member
  • Council on Litigation Management, Member
  • Capital District Trial Lawyers, Member

Past Employment Positions

  • Supreme Court, Hon. Joseph Harris, Law Clerk, 1979 to 1980
  • Carter, Conboy, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C., 1980 to 1994