About Us | Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP

Our attorneys have vigorously defended and counseled local and national corporations, privately-held companies, governmental entities, and individuals for more than 100 years.
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While our Firm enjoys the distinction of being the oldest and largest medical defense firm in New York, our practice areas have grown significantly over the decades to include labor & employment, nursing home and aging services defense, professional liability, appellate matters, and more.

A Brief History

MCB’s origins trace back to 1912 with the partnering of two well-known District Attorneys who established the predecessor firm of Whiteside & Stryker. In 1914, the Firm became counsel to the New York State Medical Society, defending medical malpractice claims brought against its members. The Firm’s name was changed to Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP in 1952, and today MCB remains a leader in medical malpractice defense throughout the tri-state area.
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Over the past 70+ years, the Firm has strategically expanded and diversified its legal services and practice areas. MCB currently has six locations and nearly 100 attorneys, including 38 partners.

Why Choose Us

Client Service

Our business philosophy is to build strong and lasting relationships with our clients by developing a deep understanding of their business operations, anticipating their legal needs and delivering prompt, strategic solutions when needed.

Responsiveness is fundamental to our practice; we not only help clients navigate complex challenges and mitigate litigation risk, but also ensure they remain informed on industry trends and robust risk management protocols. By continually monitoring shifts in pertinent laws and regulations, we help keep our clients protected, informed, and ahead of the curve.

Investment in Technology

With utmost priority on security, MCB has made significant investments in state-of-the-art, high-speed data and communications networks, which are protected by next-generation firewalls, and robust anti-virus and anti-malware software. Our first-rate IT team conducts regular network scans to identify and remediate any vulnerabilities in real time.
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Implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) allows attorneys to securely access their office from any device at any time. This technology ensures high-level operational resilience and uninterrupted service consistency for our clients.

Recognition

Year after year, MCB and its talented attorneys are recognized by peers and prestigious legal publications and organizations.

Martindale-Hubbell

26 Partners have been selected by their peers and rated AV Preeminent^® – Martindale Hubbell's^® highest rating based on legal abilities and ethical standards.

American College of Trial Lawyers

Two Senior Partners are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers: Peter T. Crean and Bruce G. Habian.

American Board of Trial Advocates

Three Senior Trial Partners are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates: Jeff Lawton, Rosaleen T. McCrory, and Christopher A. Terzian.

Best Lawyers in America^®Recognition

12 Partners have been selected to the 32nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® – Laurie Ann Annunziato, John J. Barbera, William P. Brady,
Peter T. Crean , Barbara D. Goldberg, Kenneth R. Larywon, Jeff Lawton, Michael F. Madden, Rosaleen T. McCrory, Thomas A. Mobilia, Charles S. Schechter, and Michael A. Sonkin.

Best Law Firms Ranked by Best Lawyers^®

MCB has been named in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms^® as a Tier 1 national firm in Health Care Law. In the same edition, the Firm was named as a Tier 1 New York City firm in three practice areas: Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants).

2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

14 MCB Partners were selected to the 2025 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. 5 Partners and 1 Associate were selected to the 2025 New York Metro Rising Stars list.

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