Cynthia S. LaFave
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Albany, New York
LaFave, Wein & Frament, PLLC
Practice areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice; view more
Licensed in New York since: 1982
Education: Syracuse University College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025 Call today:
518-869-9094
Free Consultation LaFave, Wein & Frament, PLLC
1 Wall StAlbany, NY 12205 Visit website
Details
Cynthia S. LaFave is a dedicated attorney who has devoted her career to representing individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. An attorney at LaFave, Wein & Frament, PLLC, based in Albany, New York, her passion for justice and commitment to her clients' needs have made her a prominent figure in the local legal community. With a career highlighted by numerous high-profile cases and significant verdicts, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to securing justice for her clients.
Ms. LaFave's legal prowess is evident in her impressive track record of verdicts and settlements, including a landmark $94.5 million personal injury verdict in 1996, the highest in the U.S. for that year. Her excellence in the field has been recognized with multiple accolades, including being named a Top 100 Lawyer annually since 2010 and receiving the Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence from the American Association for Justice. In 2021, she was honored with the inaugural Betty Friedlander Award of Excellence from the New York State Bar Association’s Trial Lawyers Section.
Beyond her courtroom achievements, Ms. LaFave is deeply involved in her community. She served on the Board of Directors of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society from 2012 to 2021, including a term as Chair from 2017 to 2021. Her commitment to professional development is demonstrated through her continuous involvement in continuing legal education, providing training and sharing her knowledge with peers across various legal associations.
Ms. LaFave's influence extends into legal reform and gender fairness, as evidenced by her role on the Gender Fairness Committee of the Third Judicial District. Her contributions to the legal community also include her past presidency of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Capital Region Affiliate and her ongoing membership in several prestigious legal organizations.
Overall, Ms. LaFave stands out not only for her legal acumen but also for her dedication to her family, community and the betterment of the legal profession. Her career and personal life reflect a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, fairness and compassion. She has also been peer-review rated Distinguished* through Martindale-Hubbell.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dental Malpractice, Dram Shop Laws, Informed Consent, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 90% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1982, New York
Professional Webpage: https://www.lwflegal.com/team/cynthia-s-lafave-esq/
- Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers, Past Vice President for the Third Judicial Department, NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers; Past President of the Capital Region Affiliate of the NYS Trial Lawyer's Association; Past President of the Albany County Bar Association; past delegate to the NYS Bar Association; Member American Association for Justice; American Board of Trial Advocates; Capital Region Trial Lawyers Association. , 2024
- Settled multiple cases throughout the year in the total sum of over $20,000,000, 2023
- Won or settled multiple cases with an aggregate total over $20,000,000.00 in 2024, 2024
- Cynthia has received many verdicts and settlements in excess of one million dollars for her clients. In 1996 she received the highest personal injury verdict for the entire United States, in the total sum of $94,500,000.00
- Negligent Security case, settled for $2,750,000 after liability verdict. Orange County, 2021
- Cynthia is now representing hundreds of sexual abuse survivors in NYS. These cases are against churches, schools and other entities that did not act to protect the children associated with them, 2024
- This award is given for outstanding commitment and service to client, Bar and profession, and to the perpetuation of the work of the "Shirt Sleeve" Lawyer, The Capital District Trial Lawyers Association Daniel H. Mahoney Memorial Award, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, 2021
- Town of New Scotland Town Justice 1984-1988
- Member NYS Magistrate’s Association 1984 to the present
- Member (2016-2019); Chair Albany County Democratic Committee, Judicial Qualifications Committee (2016-2017)
- Named a Pioneering Woman Lawyer for the New York State Pioneering Women Lawyer Oral History Project, by the Gender Fairness Committee of the Third Judicial District, Chaired by Hon. Rachel Kretser (ret.), and highlighted in a podcast about Cynthia LaFave’
- In 2021 is being presented with the first Betty Friedlander Award of Excellence from the NYSBA Trial Lawyers Section
- Named a Top 100 Lawyer in 2010 and every year since then.
- Named a Super Lawyer since the inception of the honor in 2007 and continues to receive this honor each and every year since then.
- NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers, President's Award, 2008
- Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- SUNY Brockport, Outstanding Student Leadership Award, 1978
- Appeared on Eye to Eye with Connie Chung
- Graduated from SUNY Brockport. Upon graduation was awarded the Outstanding Student Leadership Award. She was Editor in Chief of the Student Newspaper; Selected for Who's Who in Colleges and Universities; Editor in Chief of the Literary Magazine; Chairperson of the Media Activities Board; Director of Communications for the Student Government. She participated in the History Honor's Program; and maintained a Dean's List Cumulative academically. She spent her Junior Year abroad at Nottingham University in England, 1978
- Cynthia has continually been selected as a Continuing Legal Education Lecturer helping less experienced attorneys in the areas of Trial Law. She has been a speaker for the American Association of Justice; American Trial Lawyers Association; New York State Bar Association; Capital Region Trial Lawyer's Association; New York State Trial Lawyer's Association; New York State Academy of Trial Lawyer's and many other organizations
- Cynthia served as the Chair of the Albany County Judicial Qualifications Committee. She has also worked on many projects for many associations educating the public about their rights under the law. She further receives referrals in the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice from lawyers both locally and nationally. She is presently Chair of the Albany County Democratic Party Judicial Selection Committee. She is also the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025
