Our Attorneys
Hersch Gelb
“Our goal is to obtain verdicts and settlements that will help the injured people we serve rebuild their lives to the fullest extent possible.”
Hersch Gelb is a seasoned trial lawyer dedicated to excellence in the practice of law. He draws on his experience as both a plaintiff’s attorney and former defense attorney – and as a champion of the rights of the injured – to achieve multi-million dollar recoveries for his clients.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Gelb has vigorously represented Western New Yorkers in the New York State Supreme Court and United States District Court. He has been recognized for his successful representation of clients by being selected for membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a select group of attorneys nationwide who have litigated numerous cases resulting in verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more.
Mr. Gelb graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Following his graduation, he attended the University of Windsor’s Special Graduate Business Program, majoring in Corporate Finance. He earned his Juris Doctorate in law from Pace University School of Law in New York.
He began his legal career in New York City as a trial attorney responsible for defending major corporations, doctors, owners of commercial property and insurance companies in motor vehicle accident, product liability, professional malpractice, insurance coverage and construction site accident litigation.
In 1987, he moved to Buffalo and joined the law firm of Gross, Shuman, Brizdle and Gilfillian, P.C. As both an associate and later as a partner, he successfully prosecuted major lawsuits involving medical malpractice, construction site accidents, product liability, motor vehicle accidents and wrongful death on behalf of injured victims and their families.
In 1994, Mr. Gelb teamed up with former New York State Supreme Court Justice Frank R. Bayger and founded the law firm of Frank R. Bayger, P.C. As managing shareholder and senior trial attorney, Mr. Gelb handled the largest cases in the firm, while continuing his successful representation of injured victims and their families. In the latter part of 1998, Frank R. Bayger, P.C. merged with Lipsitz, Green, Fahringer, Roll, Salisbury and Cambria, LLP and Mr. Gelb became a partner in that firm’s personal injury litigation department.
In 2000, he formed his own law firm to address the need for skilled trial attorneys to represent injured victims and to ensure each and every client receives his personal attention.
Mr. Gelb supports numerous community groups, charitable organizations and other special interests.
Admitted to Practice:
- New York State
- The United States District Court for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York
Member:
- American Association For Justice
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)
- New York State Bar Association
- Bar Association of Erie County
Mr. Gelb is also a Charter Member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Neijel A. Schwarz
Born and raised in Western New York, Neijel Schwarz began his legal career while still in law school, as a clerk at the law firm of Lipsitz, Green, Fahringer, Roll, Salisbury & Cambria, LLC. Upon graduation from the University of Buffalo School of Law in 1999, Mr. Schwarz joined the law firm of Paul William Beltz, P.C., where he vigorously represented injured victims in construction site, motor vehicle and railroad accidents.
Mr. Schwarz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York and his Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law in 1999.
Mr. Schwarz joined the litigation team at Hersch Gelb LLC Personal Injury Law in January 2007.
Admitted to Practice:
- United States Federal Court - Western District of New York
- New York State Courts
Member:
- American Association For Justice
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)
- New York State Bar Association
- Bar Association of Erie County
- University at Buffalo School of Law Alumni Association
Valerie Branson
Valerie Branson is an experienced personal injury attorney who represents victims and their families in cases concerning medical malpractice and nursing homes.
A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Ms. Branson also received a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia and her Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.
Ms. Branson began her career as a registered nurse within the specialty areas of trauma, neurosurgery, emergency room medicine and cardiothoracic surgery, including transplantation. Her legal background, combined with her medical background, uniquely qualifies her to understand a myriad of complicated medical conditions, treatments and prognoses, and acceptable medical/hospital/nursing/nursing home policies and procedures, making her a valuable asset to the clients we represent in these cases.
Ms. Branson joined the litigation team at Hersch Gelb LLC Personal Injury Law in 2005.
Admitted to Practice:
- New York State
- The United States District Court for the Western District of New York
Ms. Branson is also a licensed registered nurse in the State of New York.
Member:
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)
- Bar Association of Erie County