Vermont

William Mattar is the Owner and President of William Mattar Law Offices, a firm he founded in 1990. He earned a B.S. in psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1986 and his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 1988. Admitted to practice in New York in 1989 and numerous other states, William focuses his practice on motor vehicle accident cases, driven by a goal to make a difference for injured people. He has over 30 years of experience, collected over half a billion dollars for clients, and is actively involved in various community and charitable organizations.

Christopher J. Maley

Burlington, VT

Christopher J. Maley is a Vermont personal injury and medical malpractice lawyer. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. He has been recognized annually in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2007 and has received multiple 'Lawyer of the Year' awards for Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation in Burlington, VT. He is also listed in New England Super Lawyers® and holds Martindale Hubbell’s highest attorney rating of AV Preeminent®.

Peter F. Langrock

Burlington, VT

Peter founded the firm in 1960. He is a trial lawyer and a counselor to all. He is also a farmer, an author, a painter, a world traveler, and a chef. Peter handles matters from traffic cases to arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was elected State’s Attorney of Addison County in 1960, just months after graduating from the University of Chicago Law School. Since then he has been involved in virtually every type of trial, in every county and every Federal courthouse in Vermont, and as far away as Sitka, Alaska. He twice argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and four of his cases were carried on Court TV.

Richard W. Affolter

Essex Junction, VT

Dick Affolter received his B.A. in 1963 from DePaul University. He received his L.L.B. law degree from Cornell University in 1966. He has been practicing as a Vermont trial lawyer for 45 years. Recognized as one of Vermont’s elite lawyers, he has been AV rated in Martindale Hubbell for over 45 years. For years Dick represented doctors and hospitals charged with medical negligence. He was successful as a defense lawyer who authored a publication used by Vermont doctors to avoid malpractice claims. Years ago, Dick chose to switch teams and represent victims of medical negligence. Dick is well known and respected in the medical and insurance communities. While Dick’s role these days is of counsel and not full time practice, his expertise still provides our clients with an advantage in negotiating and resolving claims.

Dennis A. First

Albany, NY

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 40 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.

David L. Cleary

Rutland, VT

David L. Cleary, the senior partner and President of the firm, has practiced law in Vermont since 1970. For over 45 years, he has litigated both plaintiff and defense cases, including personal injury, toxic tort, product liability, aircraft disaster, professional liability, and commercial litigation, trying over 250 cases to verdict. He is currently very active as a mediator and arbitrator in these areas in Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a long time member of and counsel to the Vermont Professional Conduct Board, counsel to the Board of Medical Practice in Vermont, and past-Chairman of the Governor’s Tort Reform Commission. He continues to serve on the United States District Court Advisory Committee for Vermont and lectures frequently.