Utica, NY

Martin P. Rutberg

When people meet Marty Rutberg, they sense that this is a serious man doing serious work. Other lawyers try to impress people by talking about the size of their verdicts and settlements; Marty’s record speaks for itself. He focuses his firm on the size of the difference they make in people’s lives - Marty sees personal injury law as the ultimate “helping profession.” He chose to be a personal injury lawyer so he could help people. To some, that statement is just words, but to Marty Rutberg, it’s a personal mantra and the cultural foundation of the firm. Marty has been practicing law for more than 40 years, initially in general practice. But after winning a large personal injury verdict for a client with brain injuries, Marty chose to devote his career to helping injured people and their families. This is an attorney with an impressive portfolio of verdicts and settlements, many with compelling human perspective. He has impeccable credentials, including service as President of the Dutchess County Bar Association, receipt of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Community Service, and memberships in the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the American Association for Justice. His unique presence and effectiveness derive from the way his personal and professional lives merge to create a unique legal personality. In his college years, Marty saw himself working in forestry, then turned to political science and the law, but never lost his affinity for the outdoors. He is a lifelong mountain hiker and canoe traveler who regularly journeys solo. He believes that his time “outside and alone” gives him an edge in presenting his cases. People who speak with him and see him work believe it too. As Marty describes it, “There is some kind of synergy between the skills and experience of wilderness travel and my professional style, especially in the courtroom. Both involve sustained physical output along with a calmed mind and opened senses. Both require you to constantly see the big picture yet quickly identify important details. It’s not exactly thinking. It is more of a spontaneous seeing of things as they are and taking them as they come. Lots of people can learn the rules of law. My inner experience in wilderness somehow gives me the ability to absorb and embody my client’s case. That allows me to be extremely effective in communicating the case to others. That communication is the purpose of my professional existence. Marty’s refined perception, analysis, and judgment are his guides in the complex world of personal injury law. It makes him a formidable opponent and a valued advocate in and out of the courtroom.” Critical thinking and the ability to make correct decisions under pressure are paramount to success whether in the wilderness or in presenting a case. Marty’s refined perception, analysis, and judgment are his guides in the complex world of injury law. That makes him a formidable opponent and a valued advocate both in and out of the courtroom. To a great degree, Marty is the product of his upbringing. He grew up in a modest home in a blue-collar environment. He has never forgotten his roots and the need to protect the rights of people from all walks of life, especially those who have been hurt by someone else’s negligence. Marty believes that, “in your heart, you are either an attorney for injured plaintiffs or for defendants. You can’t play both sides without being phony. A plaintiff’s lawyer is a people’s lawyer. The defense is mostly about protecting insurance company profits.” Marty Rutberg is comfortable in his commitment to the side of the plaintiff. He is proud that Rutberg Breslow is one of the few firms that represent only injured people and their families. In the end, it’s not about the bragging rights that come with the settlements and verdicts, it’s about getting his clients what they deserve, case after case. If you live anywhere in eastern New York State, chances are you have heard Marty on the radio. There are few who don’t recognize his voice and his message. He is the champion of everyday people with serious injuries. When Marty says he is going to get you fair compensation, you believe it. So do his adversaries. Marty combines tenacity and compassion in a style that achieves results for his clients. His reputation is impeccable. He’s the guy with the intelligence and instincts necessary to lead you through the legal woods... or any woods for that matter.

Lawrence A. Breslow

When you’re in a courtroom with Larry Breslow, it’s hard to miss the high energy he exudes. Motivated by his compassion for the injured and blessed with a knack for what he calls “the core of a story,” Larry is fundamentally driven by a strong competitive nature. For him a trial is “the process of beating down insurance defense lawyers with the truth.” His courtroom style coincides with his view of the world where “the facts and common sense mean a whole lot more than a bunch of technicalities.” Juries tend to agree. Knowing that, his courtroom opponents often see the wisdom of settling his cases. Larry is almost always smiling. When not in court, his fast wit and ready laugh tends to put clients at ease. He lightens the moment for his clients so they are more able to help him address the painful business of their case. True to the mission of the firm, which places the attorney-client relationship at the foundation of every case and by staying focused on their needs, Larry’s connection to his clients runs deep. Larry’s diverse background and experiences have helped shape his philosophy of the practice of law. His father exemplified the highest standard of legal practice so from an early age, Larry saw law as a way to help people. Following law school he spent several years in civil litigation and personal injury law before accepting a position as in-house counsel for a highly regarded publisher. In 2005, he returned to his roots and passion...the practice of personal injury law. He brings to the Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law firm a unique combination of skills and experience. By virtue of his legal acumen and relentless pursuit of excellence, he wins justice and fair compensation for his clients in case after case. Guided by a strong sense of right and wrong, at all stages of litigation, settlement and trial, Larry’s legal skills are a source of pride to the entire firm. In 2012, Larry became managing partner of the firm.

Langston D. McFadden

A business attorney representing local, regional, and national clients, Langston McFadden focuses his practice on the quality representation of individuals, organizations, and corporations (for-profit and non-profit). Langston’s practice is primarily focused on commercial/business representation in areas which include, but are not limited to, health care litigation including defending medical malpractice and liability claims, personal injury defense, civil rights violations defense, Breach of Contract actions, property claims, contractual disputes and negotiations, design professional representation, premises liability defense, governmental regulatory disputes, and employment litigation.

Christian N. Valentino

Christian Valentino focuses his practice on representation of individuals seriously injured or killed as a result of the negligence of others, including motor vehicle negligence, premises liability, products liability, and other forms of negligence. He also has an extensive practice in the area of Estate & Trust Litigation, where he represents individuals in Surrogate's Court.

Carmine J. Carolei

There is a fruit called sabra that is hard on the outside, but sweet on the inside. That epitomizes Carmine Carolei. He’s the pitbull in the courtroom that protects everyone we represent. Carmine joined the firm in 2019 as a Senior Trial Attorney. He came to the firm with over 3 decades of personal injury law experience and a set of skills developed through the fires of hard work, dedication and years advocating for those in need. Carmine was raised to be hardworking and entrepreneurial; traits he brings to his mindset today. His father, a first-generation Italian American, was a carpenter in the union who had originally wanted to go to college but instead went off to fight in the Korean War. Service and dedication to others was paramount in the Carolei household and shapes Carmine’s view of his profession to this day. Although never particularly athletic, Carmine is quick to point out that he is wildly competitive. He can’t stand to lose at anything and loves winning with fervor. His competitive drive with a craftsman’s eye was evident as he paid his way through college by framing houses. Hard work is in his DNA. Throughout his 30 years of practice, Carmine has worked in personal injury, which taught him specific disciplines. Especially when as a young lawyer, he was thrown into trial work immediately and tried cases against attorneys with 20+ years of experience. “It was an incredible way to learn law at that age. To simply get in the courtroom; learn how to compose yourself and be instinctual. It was the best training.” He discovered that he was comfortable in the courtroom, as it stoked his competitiveness and desire to win. In reflecting on what drives him, Carmine shares that his primary goal is to make clients happy. “I get great satisfaction from that,” he says. Throughout his career, Carmine has given lectures on personal injury to industry groups such as the Mid-Hudson Claims Association, the DR Institute, and various firms and companies. Born and raised in the Bronx, Carmine moved to Dutchess County early in his youth. He still resides in the Hudson Valley and enjoys spending time with his family, which includes four children, one grandchild and lifelong friends. Carmine also loves art and music and spends time making art and playing guitar in his downtime. Larry Breslow refers to Carmine as the backbone of the firm - “a warrior for our clients and a pleasure to work with.”

Peter M. Hobaica

Peter M. Hobaica, the founder of the law firm, has been practicing law since 1985. Peter was born and raised in Utica, graduating from Thomas R. Proctor High School, Utica College, Magna Cum Laude, and Syracuse University College of Law. Peter is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a plaintiff’s attorney, specializing in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, Estates and Trusts, Criminal Law and Real Estate. In addition to his law practice, Peter is an Ordained Deacon serving the Parish of St. Louis Gonzaga, in the Utica, New York Eparchy (Diocese) of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York. Peter has been recognized as a leading member of the legal community and his local community.

Gerald A. Vergilis

Jerry Vergilis has enjoyed a career as a trial attorney for more than 40 years. His trial experience has taken him into all courts, criminal and civil, State and Federal. His early trial experience was gained as a part-time deputy Public Defender for Dutchess County where he defended the full range of criminal cases from misdemeanor to felony murder. He then changed his focus to civil cases with an emphasis on personal injury law. During the past 25 years Jerry has successfully prosecuted all types of personal injury cases and helped hundreds of injured victims recover the compensation they deserved. Jerry is a graduate of Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He earned his law degree at St. John’s University in New York in 1971 and then continued his legal education, while practicing, to receive a Masters Degree (LLM in Taxation) from New York University in 1980. Jerry is proud to be part of the Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law firm, a team of lawyers that include the “best trial attorneys in the Hudson Valley.” He speaks from experience when he says, “It’s easy to claim or advertise that you are a personal injury attorney. I know many who do just that. However, most of those attorneys have had little, if any, actual personal injury trial experience. That leaves the client injured a second time. Don’t be deceived by such advertising. Ask the attorney how many cases like yours they’ve actually tried before a jury. Trial experience makes all the difference; there is no substitute.”