V. Christopher Potenza

Mr. Potenza is an established and respected litigator, focusing his practice primarily on general liability and tort defense, including product liability, premises liability, transportation and automotive liability, construction negligence/New York Labor Law, commercial litigation, medical malpractice defense, and nursing home negligence.  He also leads the firm’s Products Liability and Medical Device Team, including toxic tort, asbestos, and lead-based paint defense. Mr. Potenza has substantial experience handling cases at the federal, state, and appellate levels. He has taken numerous cases to verdict throughout New York State and regularly represents clients in arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Mr. Potenza is Editor of the firm’s monthly electronic newsletters, Products Liability Pointers, which covers all areas of products liability litigation, including negligence, strict products liability, medical device litigation, and toxic and mass torts, and Medical & Nursing Home Liability Pointers, which provides the latest news, developments, and analysis of recent court decisions impacting the medical and long-term care communities.  He has authored numerous articles for industry publications on litigation practice and management, and is a frequent presenter for continuing education programs.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Harmonie Group, an-invitation-only international network of law firms, vetted for their standards, ethics and values in handling complex litigation for corporations, third party administrators and insurance companies. He is also a member of the nationally renowned Defense Research Institute (DRI).  Mr. Potenza also serves as the Co-Chair of the Toxic Tort Committee of the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Mr. Potenza has been named to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list every year since 2013, and was recognized as a Top 50 Upstate New York Super Lawyer since 2018. He has also been listed in Buffalo Business First’s list of Who’s Who in Law.

Mr. Potenza manages the firm’s Mentor Program, which promotes the professional growth and development of associate attorneys.  He is also a member of the Erie County Bar Association and the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Potenza also volunteers as a mock trial coach at his alma mater, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute.

Mr. Potenza graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics & Business Management, where he was also a four-year member of the Varsity Track & Field Team. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law. He is a Mentor in the University at Buffalo School of Law Alumni Mentoring Program and also serves as an Alumni Admissions Ambassador for Cornell University.