Kathleen J. Martin is an accomplished product liability lawyer with more than 25 years of experience defending complex, high-exposure litigation involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and property damage. She represents publicly traded and privately held corporations—from multinational manufacturers to family-owned businesses – in industries that produce appliances, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. A significant portion of Kathleen’s work centers on fire-related litigation, typically involving multimillion-dollar exposures. Her knowledge of fire science and cause analysis has made Kathleen a go-to defense counsel in these technically demanding cases.

Clients rely on Kathleen not only for her extensive litigation skills and instinct but also for her collaborative, business-minded approach. She views each client relationship as a partnership, drawing on her clients’ product knowledge and industry insights to help shape a successful defense strategy. Kathleen’s recommendations are also guided by a cost-benefit analysis and a sharp awareness of how litigation may impact long-term business relationships. Kathleen zealously advocates for her clients and protects their interests while privately discussing the various business impacts certain litigation tactics may bring which allows her clients to help chart the most successful course both in and out of the courtroom.

As a seasoned litigator, Kathleen is keenly aware of the time, expense and disruption a trial can be for her clients.  Over the course of her career, Kathleen has secured several summary judgments and motions to dismiss in both state and federal courts, sparing clients the time and expense of trial. Having successfully briefed and argued numerous appeals before the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, she is always mindful of taking the necessary steps to preserve and protect the record from the inception of any litigation through trial.

Kathleen is also particularly well-versed in the post-judgment present value application of Articles 50-A and 50-B of the New York CPLR, which can potentially mean the difference of millions of dollars in a court’s awarding of future damages. With this knowledge, Kathleen has the uncommon ability to successfully navigate this detailed and highly nuanced statutory and case law to the advantage of Goldberg Segalla clients.

In recognition of her litigation excellence, Kathleen was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Buffalo for Product Liability Litigation – Defense in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.