Many years ago, in the middle of a trial, a very prominent judge pulled me aside, looked me square in the eye and said “Tom, when are you going to stop worrying about everyone’s rights… and start making some money?“

Fortunately the judge’s premise was flawed. I was determined to be both successful, and to care deeply about protecting and advocating for my clients.

When I was young, my parents had a thriving bakery business. That is, until a fire, which began in a supermarket next door, destroyed the bakery as well. My parents’ bakery was insured, but the insurance company short-changed my parents and as a result it was years before they were able to start another business. In the meantime my father worked a series of hazardous jobs, when he had a job at all, and I will never forget him coming home with terrible chemical burns on his hands from the work he was doing. All because my parents were cheated by an insurance company.

I graduated with a BA from Hartwick College in Oneonta New York. I received my Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1976. I am a member of the New York Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar, the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association. I am also a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers (PAJ) as well as a member and former Section Chair of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.(AAJ).

I have lectured frequently to other attorneys on various personal injury topics, and have handled cases throughout the State of New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Throughout my career I have been passionate about my family, my clients, and about my community. I consider myself a citizen first and a lawyer second. I feel a strong need to “pay it forward” and help others. I was a founding board member of a local Habitat for Humanity and also a founding board member of the Catskill Area Hospice.

For over two decades, my office has sponsored the Safe.Night Program on New Years Eve, paying for thousands of cab rides home. We have also provided thousands of bicycle helmets to local children and, more recently, have sponsored the child SAFETY PAD at SpiedieFest.

Someone once wrote: “Tom Schimmerling is a devoted man. He devotes his time to his family, his community, and his clients. You won’t find him ‘rubbing elbows’ on the golf course.“

I suppose that’s true. From the beginning I could not bear to watch injustice…to see people being taken advantage of by insurance companies, the way my parents were. That’s why, at Schimmerling Injury Law, we are dedicated to the relentless pursuit of justice for the injured. We work hard to see that every client obtains the maximum settlement or award.

Tom Schimmerling has been listed in the Who’s Who of American Law, and has lectured frequently to Bar and Trial Lawyers Associations.