Dennis A. First
Dennis A. First
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 Honorable Joseph Harris of Albany County Court, he entered private practice in 1979. Dennis is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized as one of the top 50 Upstate New York lawyers by Super Lawyers consumer guide.
Dennis A. First is a trial lawyer who defends physicians, dentists, and podiatrists in malpractice and licensing matters. He also defends product manufacturers, nursing homes, and businesses in cases ranging from general liability to administrative proceedings. He is a member of the Albany County, New York 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. Dennis frequently lectures for the New York State Bar Association and other organizations in the areas of trial practice and procedure.
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
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 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
- “New York Medical Malpractice”, National Business Institute
- “Psychiatric Malpractice Issues in New York”, American Psychiatric Association, Northeastern New York Region
- “Federal Practice”, New York State Bar Association, 1995 - 1996
- “Products Liability”, Albany County Claims Association
- “Medical Malpractice”, New York Psychiatric Association
- “Trial Preparation Secrets”, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute
- “Expert Witness: Procedures, Discovery and Trial Issues in New York”, Lorman Education Services
- “Construction Site Accidents: The Law and the Trial”, New York State Bar Association, 2007, 2009, 2010
Honors and Awards
- Martindale Hubbell – AV Rated-Very High to Preeminent
- New York Super Lawyers - Top 50 Upstate New York Lawyers, 2007-Present
- New York State Bar Association 1998 President's Pro Bono Service Law Firm Award
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Member
- New York State Bar Association, Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law and Environment Law Sections, Member
- Albany County Bar Association, Member
- State Bar Association, Appointed Member, Special Committee to Confer with the State's Medical Society
- DRI, Member
- Council on Litigation Management, Member
Past Employment Positions
- Supreme Court, Hon. Joseph Harris, Law Clerk, 1979 - 1980
- Carter, Conboy, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C., 1980 - 1994
