Narrative

My grandfather once told me that a man's measure is nothing more than a reflection of the help he offers others. In that vein, I have dedicated my professional life to helping others.

Following graduation from law school, I was chosen to work as a confidential law clerk to the 11 judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Following that appointment, I was selected as an Erie County Assistant District Attorney. After enjoying a successful career trying virtually every type of felony case, I entered the world of civil litigation to help the injured.

Nowhere in the world is there more disparity between two sides than in civil litigation. The insurance companies have vast resources which they spend nationwide in an effort to minimize compensation to the injured. An injured person can be overwhelmed by an insurance company unless he or she has an aggressive and knowledgeable lawyer who is willing to fight for his client's rights.

The primary reason I joined Cellino & Barnes is because the firm shares my work ethic, philosophy and commitment to the clients' needs.

Education

• B.S. - Biology - University at Buffalo
  (Concentration in Recombinant DNA Technology)
• J.D. – University at Buffalo
• Licensed to practice law in:
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Federal Court (Western District of New York
  • Federal Court (Western District of Pennsylvania); and
  • Bankruptcy Court

Experience

• Trial attorney, Cellino & Barnes (1997- Present)
  • $72,000,000 in recovery for my clients
  • Over 30 separate million dollar+ recoveries for my clients in the following areas: medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, product liability injuries, amusement park injuries, and ordinary negligence cases. Examples of results, include:
    • $4,000,000 verdict in Cattaraugus County (largest singe verdict in the county’s history).
    • $3,500,000 verdict for unemployed waitress.
    • $2,200,000 verdict for carpenter.
    • $2,200,000 verdict for elderly driver.
    • $1,700,000 verdict for the driver of a rear-ended motor vehicle.
    • $1,100,000 verdict for the driver of a vehicle with less than $100 in property damage.
• Assistant District Attorney, Erie County (1993-1997)
  • Spent 2 years prosecuting rapists, child molesters and child abusers.
  •  Prosecuted cases involving homicides, attempted murder, robberies, assaults, burglaries and various other felonies.
• Confidential Law Clerk, Fourth Judicial Department, Supreme Court of New York State (1991-1993).

Honors and Professional Organizations

• Erie County Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• New York State Trial Lawyer’s Association
• Western New York Trial Lawyer’s Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• American Trial Lawyer’s Association
• American Bar Association
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Upstate New York Super Lawyer 2007

Personal

• I reside in Orchard Park, New York with my wife and six (yes, 6) children. The free time I have I spend playing with my children and coaching their soccer team.

Attorney Schaffer represents victims who have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, car accidents, truck accidents, commercial accidents, work place injuries, defective products, construction accidents, roller coaster and amusement park accidents, slip and falls, and more.