71/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 152 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
General Practice Lawyers in Cortland, NY: 2026 rankings
54 general practice lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Cortland: Cardinale & Delvecchio Law Firm, PLLC, LFR Score 71/100; 4.8★ from 152 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law), posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 54.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law), 189 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 54 ranked; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
54 Cortland general practice lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 1 is open 24/7, 6 open Saturdays and 6 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.5★ across 54 rated law firms.
Top 10 general practice lawyers in Cortland at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinale & Delvecchio Law Firm, PLLC | 71 | 4.8★ (152) | Cortland | Sat · Sun | Top score |
| 2 | Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) | 70 | 5.0★ (189) | Ithaca, 20 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours, Most reviews |
| 3 | Edward Goehler Law Offices | 64 | 5.0★ (10) | Cortland | — | — |
| 4 | The Walsh Law Firm P.C. | 64 | 4.3★ (58) | Cortland | — | — |
| 5 | Attorney Charles H. Kee | 63 | 4.9★ (36) | Ithaca, 20 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 6 | Baranello James J | 63 | 5.0★ (6) | Cortland | — | — |
| 7 | Hartnett David S | 63 | 5.0★ (6) | Cortland | — | — |
| 8 | Kelsen Mardis F | 62 | 3.9★ (7) | Cortland | — | — |
| 9 | Francis S Williams Law Office | 62 | 4.2★ (5) | Cortland | — | — |
| 10 | Howe Karen | 62 | 5.0★ (4) | Cortland | — | — |
All 54 general practice lawyers in Cortland, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
70/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 189 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Trial attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
64/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “General practice attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
63/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#10 Howe Karen
Based in Cortland
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#11 Alloco Law
Based in Irondequoit, 23 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 38 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#13 Purser Edward R
Based in Cortland
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#15 Herd Law Office
Based in Babylon, 23 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ithaca, 18 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 47 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Port Washington, 23 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cortland
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#23 AllenYLaw
Based in Marlboro, 23 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Sheepshead Bay, 23 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#25 Tavelli Paul
Based in Ithaca, 20 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 2.8★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
General practice lawyers ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 54 ranked general practice lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Cortland
20 more general practice lawyers within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander David C | 5.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Casullo Francis J | In Cortland | |
| DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP Cancer Lawyers | In Cortland | |
| Finger Lakes Energy Corporation | In Cortland | |
| Grady BK, PLLC | 5.0★ (69) | In Cortland |
| Greene & Reid Injury Lawyers | 3.0★ (2) | In Cortland |
| Harris-Courage, PLLC | 4.8★ (8) | In Cortland |
| Law Office of Keith Dayton | 5.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Law Offices of Arthur J. Meldrim, Esq. | In Cortland | |
| Lefevre Lenore | In Cortland | |
| Leonard & Van Donsel | 5.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Lyman & Lyman, LLC | 5.0★ (2) | 19 mi |
| Mary Leonard Law Offices | In Cortland | |
| O'Connor & Kruman | 4.5★ (2) | In Cortland |
| Pomeroy Armstrong & Casullo: Sullivan Kathleen | 4.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Riehlman Shafer & Shafer | 3.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Ruthig Russell E | 5.0★ (1) | In Cortland |
| Simonetta & Associates, P.C. | 5.0★ (2) | In Cortland |
| Stanley Law Offices | 5.0★ (27) | In Cortland |
| Yager Law Offices: Yager Jr Donald W | In Cortland |
How we ranked Cortland general practice lawyers
We scored 54 Cortland general practice lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Cortland data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a general practice lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many general legal matters matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask how often the firm handles your kind of matter, and whether it would refer it elsewhere.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask a general practice lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- How often do you handle matters like mine?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
General practice lawyers in Cortland: frequently asked questions
Which general practice lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Cortland?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked general practice lawyer in Cortland, NY is Cardinale & Delvecchio Law Firm, PLLC with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 4.8★ from 152 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) (#2) and Edward Goehler Law Offices (#3) follow. We ranked 54 general practice lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many general practice lawyers are there in Cortland?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 54 general practice lawyers serving Cortland, NY. 13 of them are based in Cortland; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which general practice lawyers in Cortland are open 24/7?
1 ranked general practice lawyer in Cortland posts 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked is Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) (#2). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which general practice lawyers in Cortland work on weekends?
6 of 54 ranked general practice lawyers post Saturday hours and 6 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Cardinale & Delvecchio Law Firm, PLLC (#1), Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) (#2) and Attorney Charles H. Kee (#5). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Cortland general practice lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 54 rated general practice lawyers in Cortland is 4.5★, with a median of 7 reviews. Fenchel Defense Firm (Luke Z Fenchel, Attorney-at-Law) has the most, 189 reviews, and ranks #2. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank general practice lawyers?
Each general practice lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do general practice lawyers outside Cortland count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Cortland city center, our service radius for general practice lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can general practice lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do general practice lawyers in Cortland, NY charge?
General practice lawyers usually charge flat fees for routine work such as simple wills or closings and hourly rates for disputes. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
When is a general practice lawyer a good fit?
For common matters such as wills, home purchases, small business contracts or minor disputes, especially in smaller cities. For complex cases, ask how often the firm handles your kind of matter. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of general practice lawyers in Cortland, NY ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Cortland?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Cortland
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 54 general practice lawyers serving Cortland.
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