Firm bio >
William J. Maniatis bio >
Paul N. Schlemmer bio >

Firm bio

Meticulous preparation, intimate knowledge of the law, selectivity in the cases that we accept, and unwavering dedication to our clients are the defining hallmarks of the law firm of Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP.

Our practice is devoted to the handling of major tort actions involving seriously injured individuals, including, among others: general negligence, wrongful death, construction accidents, amputations, premises liability, medical malpractice, automobile accidents, elevator accidents, infant lead paint exposure, and products liability cases. We also have significant experience in the handling of cases involving Firefighters and Police Officers who are injured in the line of duty, as well as cases involving workers and other persons injured as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP is dedicated to the securing of full and just compensation for those who have been seriously harmed and for the surviving family members of those who have been fatally injured. Accidents, serious injuries, and the loss of loved ones happen unexpectedly; and while no amount of money can ever replace what has been lost by an injury or death, the significant results obtained by the lawyers of Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP have provided assistance to our clients in dealing with their loss by providing the means for securing necessary medical treatments, and for rebuilding and easing the lives of our clients and their families.

The quality of the legal services provided by Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP is evidenced by the outstanding individual track records of its members, their impressive court victories, and the significant settlements obtained for their clients. Our Firm’s members have obtained millions of dollars in recoveries for their clients over the years. The foundation for the extraordinary achievements of the Firm’s members can be attributed to their keen knowledge of the law, ability to understand complex legal issues, and their thorough and aggressive trial preparation. Our Firm’s members pride themselves on providing our clients with high-quality, individualized personal service.

At Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP, our personal attention to each case begins with the selection process for the cases that we accept. Each case is carefully screened, investigated, and discussed by the members of the Firm. Upon acceptance of a case, our clients can feel secure in the knowledge that their case will be handled in a professional and ethical manner, that their case will receive the time and attention that it deserves, that they will be treated with respect and compassion by the attorneys handling their case, and that they have retained a legal team that will be prepared and ready to take their matter to trial.

While the offices of Schlemmer & Maniatis, LLP are located in Manhattan, we handle matters in all five boroughs of New York City and throughout Long Island. We are also available to handle matters in every county throughout the State of New York, as well as the State of New Jersey.

William J. Maniatis bio

Now in his 11th year of practice, William J. Maniatis is an accomplished trial lawyer who has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients over the years. Bill began his career as a criminal defense lawyer for the Legal Aid Society where he gained substantial trial experience defending individuals who could not afford to pay for their own defense.

Bill’s dedication to representing the individual against the interests of big business continues to this day. Most recently, an 80-year- old man who had been unable to secure counsel on the eve of trial contacted Bill. Bill’s experience and knowledge with the court system secured sufficient time to prepare the trial and lead to a one million dollar verdict against the municipality that failed to keep its parks safe.

As an accomplished trial attorney, in the past eight (8) years Bill has earned a reputation as an aggressive litigator and trial lawyer representing individuals who have been injured through the negligence of others. Bill has obtained significant jury verdicts and settlements for his clients in both the State of New York as well as in the State of New Jersey, with several of his results having been reported in the New York Verdict Search publication.

An advocate for justice, Bill’s substantial efforts on behalf of his clients have resulted in significant monetary awards for the injured individuals that he has represented. Bill’s commitment and dedication to providing his clients with high-quality legal representation have been his hallmark.

Bill’s experience and reputation as an outstanding trial lawyer does not end in the courtroom. Bill has been a guest lecturer on the subject of trial advocacy at Hosftra University and Cardozo University. Bill teaches at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy at Hofstra University and at Widener University’s annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Program in Delaware. Bill is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association.

William J. Maniatis graduated from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, with Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990; and obtained his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 1996. He is admitted to the bars of the State of New York and the State of New Jersey. He is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States District Court of New Jersey.

Paul N. Schlemmer bio

Now in his 12th year of practice, Paul N. Schlemmer has made his mark in the courtroom as an accomplished trial lawyer who has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements through hard work and dedication to his clients. Large awards have gained him a reputation as a successful trial attorney in the State of New York, and several of his results have been reported in the National Law Journal and National Verdict Search publications.

In recent years, Paul has obtained several jury verdicts in excess of one million dollars for his clients, including three multi-million dollar awards. In addition to jury verdicts, Paul has achieved millions of dollars in settlements for his clients.

In June of 2005, Paul became the first attorney in the United States to win a products liability verdict against the world’s largest manufacturer of treadmills, for injuries that were being sustained by infants who were becoming trapped in a defect at the rear of the treadmill. Hundreds of these incidents had been reported to the federal government’s Consumer Products Safety Commission involving treadmills, with the infants often sustaining de-gloving injuries to their hands. Shortly after the verdict, these defectively designed treadmills were removed from the marketplace.

While his trial successes are a testament to his abilities as an advocate, he is acutely aware of the fact that these large awards represent monetary justice to persons whose lives have often been irreparably altered. It is this reality that inspires Paul to continue to fight for justice for every client that he represents.

Paul is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Paul N. Schlemmer graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, with Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994; and obtained his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1997. He is admitted to the bar in three states New York, 1998; New Jersey, 1998, and Indiana 1997. He is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.