John Powers

John Powers is a respected trial lawyer known across the country for his work on catastrophic injury cases. He focuses his practice at Powers & Santola, LLP on representing individuals harmed by medical malpractice, hospital negligence, construction and workplace accidents, defective products, car accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and other serious personal injury matters. With decades of experience, he has become a leading authority on the medical and legal issues affecting people with life-changing injuries. His career includes significant leadership roles in state and national trial lawyer organizations, where he has worked to strengthen the civil justice system and improve legal advocacy for injured clients.

John earned his J.D. from Albany Law School at the University of the Union, Albany, New York, and holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. This combination of legal training and academic preparation laid the groundwork for his deep knowledge of injury law and his ability to guide clients through complex cases.

John has helped countless families throughout his career by fighting for fair compensation and justice after catastrophic harm. His leadership includes serving as Co-Founder and ex-President of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, former President of the New York State Trial Lawyers’ Association, and a longtime member of the “American Association for Justice Board of Governors”. John has taught and lectured at more than 400 programs across the United States and Canada, helping other lawyers learn how to represent seriously injured clients. He has published many books and articles on complex injury litigation, too, including contributions to primary resources on traumatic brain injury cases.

John Powers extends his work to national advocacy. He holds Life Membership in the American Association for Justice and the Brain Injury Association, and he serves on several professional boards committed to advancing trial advocacy. His dedication, knowledge, and leadership continue to shape the field of catastrophic injury law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Powers & Santola, LLP
• Co-Founder, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
• Vice-Chair, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Membership Committee
• Life Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, New York State Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section
• Program Chair, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, Academy of Trial Advocacy, National Board of Directors
• Vice-President, American Board of Trial Advocates, Albany, NY Chapter
• Member, New Jersey Association for Justice (AAJ-NJ)
• Sustaining Member, Albany County Bar Association
• Sustaining Member, Onondaga County Bar Association
• Member, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association
• Life Member, National Brain Injury Association
• Life Member, New York State Brain Injury Association
• Member, American Association for Justice, Public Affairs Committee

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Albany Law School at the University of the Union
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Notre Dame
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges