HANNIGAN LAW FIRM PLLC

I grew up in a family-owned corner grocery store. I learned about the value of hard work and about taking care of customers from my father. He graduated from a one-room schoolhouse and worked every day of his life thereafter. He was the wisest man I’ve ever known. Although he died before I was in high school, the indelible impression of his values was already in place in me. 

I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend St. Bonaventure University. Being schooled in the Franciscan tradition that emphasized knowledge, service to others, and humility provided a great foundation for a career in law. While in college I helped establish an emergency medical response team for on-campus intramural activities. I also worked as a trainer for the men’s hockey team. While attending Albany Law School, I worked full-time hours in a part-time job as an Emergency Medical Technician for a commercial ambulance company.

My work experience before law school transitioned well into working as a trial attorney representing litigants in product liability and personal injury cases. I frequently tell people that “I’m a blue collar guy trapped in a white collar job.” I’m as comfortable operating power equipment as I am in the courtroom. Upon admission to the New York Bar, I went to work for a large civil litigation firm. Over 24 years I tried dozens of cases to verdict in State Supreme Court as well as in the US District Court for the Northern District of New York. Many of the cases have involved claims arising out of construction accidents, including the defense of the Marcy Pedestrian Bridge collapse and the Fort Ann Dam failure. I also served as a lead defense counsel in the defense of the Washington County Fair e-coli class action lawsuit. One of our most rewarding  accomplishments involved the representation of two fire service widows in obtaining Line of Duty Death benefits which originally had been denied to them. These two cases helped bring about monumental changes in the way LODD claims are handled by the US Government.

I have been an active Volunteer Firefighter since 1988. I have been a frequent lecturer  for the New York State Bar Association and have served on or chaired several construction litigation, insurance coverage, and trial practice continuing education programs.

Working with fire and EMS personnel is an incredibly rewarding experience. Being able to provide legal representation for these same individuals and their agencies is a privilege for which I am profoundly grateful. As a fellow firefighter and EMT, I know first-hand the demands and the rewards that a commitment to the fire service and EMS entails.