John A. DeGasperis was born and raised in Kingston, New York. He moved back to Kingston after graduating from law school over a decade ago. Soon after, he joined the Kingston-based personal injury law firm Basch & Keegan, LLP.
John handles the gamut of personal injury cases, such as slip and falls, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability, construction accidents, property loss, and insurance claims.
Currently, John has handled well over 1,000 personal injury cases and recovered more than $30 million dollars in total for his past clients. John has significant trial experience, meaning insurance companies know he’s ready to take them to court if need be. Because of this, insurance companies will frequently invite him to resolve cases through mediation and arbitration, which often paves the way to a favorable settlement without taking the case to trial. Given his level of experience, many of John’s clients are referred to him by his colleagues in the legal community, including judges and court clerks.
John has been selected as one of the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, as well as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers Magazine. In 2018, John was appointed to the Third Judicial Department’s Committee on Character and Fitness, which evaluates applicants for admission to the New York State Bar. Only attorneys who have exemplified exceptional moral character are selected to this committee, a testament to John’s hard work, honest nature, and dedication to his clients’ well-being.
John is passionate about personal injury law and the journey he takes with each of his clients from the date of the accident through the entire litigating process. Although some may look down on personal injury law, John brings comfort to individuals and families whose lives have been drastically, and sometimes permanently altered due to an accidental injury or death. John recognizes that his job is to help those who’ve lost their good health and are no longer capable of performing at their pre-accident status, and he is committed to fighting for the compensation they need to move on with their lives. John believes that his calling is to use the law to make a positive impact on his clients’ lives.
John is also committed to giving back to his community. In 2017, he was elected to serve as President of the Ulster County Bar Association after working as a board member for five years. John now serves on the Ulster County Bar Association’s Committee on Court House Facilities, comprised of lawyers and local judges who work to ensure that courthouse facilities in and throughout Ulster County meet the needs of the community. The committee’s mission became even more important in the wake of COVID-19 since there have been, and will continue to be, significant changes to how the public can access and use courthouse facilities.
John is proudest of his position on the Ulster Community College Foundation Board. SUNY Ulster holds a special place in John’s heart, as it was here that John realized what he needed to do to find true success in his life. John is proud to now serve on the Board so he can continue to give back to the institution that taught him so much. John also uses his position to ensure that students who are facing financial hardship can still attend higher education. John fully supports SUNY Ulster, and actively donates to the Foundation. Additionally, he and his wife recently sponsored a local high school student as part of the President’s Challenge.
You can watch and listen to John on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, sometimes using the alias “The PI Guy,” to bring transparency and awareness to the practice of personal injury law.
Education
- Albany Law School, Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, 2009
- SUNY Albany, Bachelor of Arts, 2005
- SUNY Ulster, Associates Degree, 2002
Admissions
- United States Supreme Court, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2010
Professional Experiences
- Associate Attorney-Law Office of Eric Schneider, PLLC 2010-2011
- Law Clerk-New York State Attorney General’s Office, Commercial Division, 2008 & 2009
- Judicial Intern-U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York 2008-2009
- Judicial Intern–U.S. Department of Justice, Commercial Division, National Courts, 2008
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- President, Ulster County Bar Association, 2017-2018
- Board Member, SUNY Ulster Foundation, 2016
- Board Member, Ulster County Bar Association, 2012
- Member, New York State Trial Lawyers Academy, 2011
- Member, American Association for Justice, 2011
- Member, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, 2011
- Treasurer, Ulster County Bar Association, 2010
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Chair, Ulster County Bar Association Committee on Court House Facilities
Awards & Accolades
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2014 – 2020
- 10 Year Anniversary Martindale-Hubbell Awards
- Avvo Clients Choice, 2014 – 2017
