What is the state of the law on ineffective counsel in defense counsel's representation of a defendant?

People v. Rivera, 71 N.Y.2d 705, 708, 530 N.Y.S.2d 52, 525 N.E.2d 698 [1988] [emphasis supplied], quoting People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 146147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400 [1981] ). I write separately because I believe that defense counsel's representation of defendant should be placed in its proper context and, viewed in its totality, defense counsel's representation in this instance was light years from what is deemed ineffective assistance under our jurisprudence.