The Lama family story

More than a firm. A family tradition since 1948.

Our story begins with a young Italian lawyer, an Ithaca pen pal, and a belief that service, integrity, and hard work can build something lasting.

Gloria R. & Luciano A. Lama

The original Lama family story

A family tradition

A FAMILY TRADITION: In 1948, his pen-pal from Ithaca, NY, Gloria Salino, bought a round-trip airline ticket to Rome to meet him. After a whirlwind romance, the two were married, and after six months, she convinced the young attorney that it would be best for the two to go to the U.S. to raise a family because of the state of war-torn Italy.

They sold the return airfare, and with the money, bought two tickets on the ship Nea Helen for the voyage from Italy to New York City. Luciano worked days at Morse Chain, nights as a waiter at the Clinton House Restaurant, and attended Cornell Law School. He became a consultant to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and in 1960 founded the L.A. Lama Insurance Agency, serving Central New York until 2005. The L. A. Lama Insurance Agency is now part of First Niagara Risk Management. Luciano A. Lama’s love and respect for the law was the inspiration for the founding of the LAMA LAW FIRM, LLP in 1995.

The Law Firm is family owned and operated by father and son partners, Nino Lama and Ciano Lama (see about us), committed to the premise that the client’s interests come first and foremost in every aspect of the practice.

The firm follows the wisdom of the family patriarch and adheres to the principles of integrity, forthrightness, courtesy, zealous client advocacy, and care that have allowed the Lama family the honor of serving the community since 1948.

The family archive

The people and documents behind the story.

Historic family photographs, the patriarch’s Italian law diploma, and the generations who continue the Lama tradition.

Luciano A. Lama's Italian law diploma — Italian Law Diploma · Luciano A. Lama

Luciano A. Lama at the L.A. Lama Insurance Agency — Luciano A. Lama · L.A. Lama Insurance Agency

Ciano J. Lama and Luciano A. Lama — Ciano J. Lama, Esq. & Luciano A. Lama

Luciano L. Lama and Luciano J. Lama — Luciano L. Lama, Esq. & Luciano J. Lama, Esq.

Luciano L. Lama — Luciano L. “Nino” Lama, Esq.

Luciano J. Lama — Luciano J. “Ciano” Lama, Esq.

Our family timeline

Built across generations.

1946

A legal foundation in Italy

Luciano A. Lama earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Genoa and practiced law in Rome.

1948

A new life in Ithaca

After a transatlantic courtship, Luciano married Ithaca native Gloria Salino. Six months later, the young couple left postwar Italy aboard the Nea Helen and made Central New York their home.

1960

A tradition of community service

After working days at Morse Chain, nights at the Clinton House, attending Cornell Law School, and consulting for Metropolitan Life, Luciano founded the L.A. Lama Insurance Agency. It served Central New York for 45 years.

1995

The Lama Law Firm is founded

Luciano’s respect for the law inspired the next generation to establish The Lama Law Firm, LLP as a family-owned Ithaca practice.

2005

An insurance legacy continues

The L.A. Lama Insurance Agency concluded its independent chapter after decades of service and became part of First Niagara Risk Management.

Today

Two generations at your side

Father-and-son partners Luciano L. Lama and Luciano J. Lama continue the family promise: integrity, forthrightness, courtesy, care, and zealous advocacy.

The patriarch’s wisdom

The principles behind every client relationship.

The original family story names the standards that earned the Lama family the honor of serving this community since 1948.

Integrity & forthrightness

Honest advice and direct communication, even when the answer is difficult.

Courtesy & care

Personal attention that recognizes the human impact behind every injury and legal problem.

Zealous advocacy

Thorough, determined representation built around the client’s interests first and foremost.

Your family represented by ours

Let the Lama family stand with you.

Start a confidential intake