Lawyer of Firm Description

About Melvin & Melvin PLLC — Personal Injury Attorney Syracuse NY

Melvin & Melvin PLLC has practiced law in Upstate New York since 1921, making it one of the longest-established firms in the region. Founded by brothers Myron and Crandall Melvin, the firm now operates from 217 South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse with a team of 12 attorneys spanning more than 20 practice areas — bankruptcy, divorce, employment law, estate planning, family law, real estate, personal injury, construction law, and commercial litigation among them. That breadth makes Melvin & Melvin a first-call resource for Onondaga County residents and businesses who need legal depth across multiple interconnected matters. Those exploring personal injury options in Central New York can review what personal injury attorneys in New York typically handle before their first consultation.

Attorney Justin T. is praised by name for passion and patience in client matters. Donghoo Sohn receives recognition for creative solutions and going above and beyond in business representation. Elizabeth (Beth) handles construction contract work with precision. The firm’s century-plus of institutional knowledge in Syracuse courts gives it relationships and procedural fluency that newer practices cannot replicate.

What Clients Say

Clients who have found the right attorney within the firm are enthusiastic — Justin T. earns praise for being passionate and patient; Donghoo Sohn is called an excellent attorney and a well-respected member of the business community. Beth is credited with helpful construction contract advice. Long-term clients describe the firm as their go-to for all legal needs across years of personal and business matters.

Personal Injury Attorney Syracuse NY — Practice Areas & Services

Personal injury — auto accidents, premises liability, and negligence claims in Onondaga County
Bankruptcy — Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for Central New York individuals and businesses
Divorce and family law — matrimonial matters, custody, and support for Syracuse area families
Estate planning and elder law — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and Medicaid planning
Real estate law — residential and commercial transactions, closings, and municipal matters
Employment law — labor disputes, discrimination, and workplace matters for employees and employers
Commercial litigation and construction law — contract disputes, construction claims, and business litigation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in New York?

New York imposes a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims from the date of injury under CPLR § 214. Medical malpractice claims have a 2.5-year period, and claims against municipal defendants require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the incident. Missing these deadlines permanently forfeits the right to sue.

How does New York no-fault insurance affect personal injury claims?

New York is a no-fault insurance state. Your own insurer pays your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to $50,000. To sue the at-fault driver for additional damages, you must meet a “serious injury” threshold under New York Insurance Law § 5104, which includes fractures, significant disfigurement, or permanent limitation of a body function.

When does a New York bankruptcy filing trigger an automatic stay?

Filing for bankruptcy in New York immediately triggers an automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362, which halts most collection actions, foreclosure proceedings, wage garnishment, and creditor lawsuits. The stay provides breathing room while the bankruptcy case proceeds in the Northern District of New York, which covers Syracuse and Onondaga County.

Quick Facts: Personal Injury Law in Syracuse, NY

Onondaga County Population: Approximately 480,000 residents in Central New York — U.S. Census Bureau
NY Personal Injury SOL: 3 years from date of injury under CPLR § 214; municipal claims require a 90-day Notice of Claim — NY Legislature
NY No-Fault Threshold: Must meet “serious injury” standard under NY Ins. Law § 5104 to sue beyond no-fault benefits — NY Insurance Law

Related Guide: Personal Injury Attorneys Near You

AI-Powered Reviews Summary

Melvin & Melvin PLLC, located in Syracuse, New York, is a law firm that offers a range of legal services, including bankruptcy, divorce, employment, estate planning, family law, labor relations, personal injury, and real estate law. While some clients have expressed frustrations regarding communication and delays, others have praised the firm for its knowledgeable attorneys, such as Justin T. and Donghoo Sohn, who are recognized for their passion, creativity, and dedication to client representation. Overall, many reviewers appreciate the professional environment and the supportive staff, highlighting the firm’s potential for positive legal experiences.

Users Reviews Comments – Google

Elizabeth(Beth) was very helpful with construction contract advice.

Horrendous experience with Melvin and Melvin. They were referred to me by my Realtor for our house closing. Very unprofessional. Closing took 2 and a half months and was delayed so much that it ended up costing us thousands of dollars. I was going to keep my options on them to myself but after receiving the closing paperwork in the mail with “inaccurate” information, I’ve decided to give a review here and on all of my Social Media apps. Attorney, after she screwed up, wrote that I requested funds to be wired to me after the sale. This is absolutely incorrect and the Attorney must know this. It’s well documented via email that she screwed up and again cost me more money to fix her mistake. I’m sure this a CYA situation. Such a silly thing to be “inaccurate” about. This Firm certainly doesn’t need anymore bad reviews but here we are. Too bad the Attorney wasn’t “accurate” in her file. ** using accurate and inaccurate in quotes because I’m sure I’d hear from them if I used the term that actually fits!

325$ an hour and it takes them 3 weeks to give you a call back for the simplest questions. Yikes. The definition of last minute. Do not use them if your trying to be proactive with something

Spoke to some guy name Ken here first lol not the brightest. “Discretely” asked a family member that works at the same place as the person I am putting this case against. How does he know that the person I am filing against didn’t somehow find out? He doesn’t, fn moron. Dan seemed decent to talk to but he is still a lawyer. Then another cronie called me today asking for 2500 down this is first time I ever heard of this. I would look elsewhere for your needs or take your chances. I will be posting weekly

My lawyers building . Beautiful restored building with many offices. Wildflowers gift store on the ground floor. Handmade artisan gifts and art. Bersoni jewelry shop on ground floor and their son has a great jewelry shop in basement as well. Lost cool little shops in the basement also. Check them out. Oh, and a excellent Asian restaurant in the ground floor too. Quiant and casual with delicious food!

Great staff

Justin T. Is an amazing lawyer and great to work with he’s passionate and patient in what he does and explains everything you need to know.

Great lawyers

Donghoo Sohn is an excellent attorney. He uses creative solutions and has gone above and beyond in his representation of clients. He is a well-respected member of our business community. I highly recommend him.

I was sent a Bill after speaking to Ken at Melvin and Melvin.

I used Melvin & Melvin to close on a house recently. It was difficult to get any kinds of updates throughout the process. It would take a week to get a generic reply and you’d have to really push to get anything beyond an “I’m working on it” reply. There wasn’t much respect for other parties time and in person interactions were unprofessional. We had an issue where the other party was doing something blatantly illegal that went against signed contracts between both parties and we didn’t get any legal advice or closure. I’d recommend going elsewhere, especially if you have anything that could get more complicated than a standard case.

Do not return phone calls to clients

terrible

Great attorneys

Easy to schedule appointments. very efficient professional people works there.always had a positive experience…