Lawyer Monthly - October 2021 Edition

Damian & Valori LLP | Culmo Trial Attorneys is an AV Rated business litigation and personal injury firm. The firm provides its clients with professional, high quality, experienced counselling, strategic advice and representation in litigating and resolving complicated business and corporate disputes, and personal injury matters. The firm also represents individuals and families who have been victimized by negligent conduct, defective products. The practice areas focus on hospital malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, product liability, and wrongful death cases. Melanie Damian , co-founder of Damian & Valori LLP and partner of Damian & Valori LLP | Culmo Trial Attorneys, represents public and private companies and individuals in a variety of complex business and securities litigation. She has been appointed as an equity receiver in 19 federal court cases and 21 state court cases and regularly serves as court-appointed Federal Equity Receiver, Special Monitor, and Distribution Agent. Ms Damian is a past chair of the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar, President of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Florida Chapter and is active in child advocacy. She is also the founder of two south Florida non for profits, Educate Tomorrow and SEED School of Miami that serve the educational needs of at-risk children. Tom Culmo , founder of Culmo Trial Attorneys, practices in the areas of hospital malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, product defects, wrongful death, and commercial litigation matters. He is board certified as a specialist in civil trial practice by The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been lead counsel in over 100 jury trials, obtained jury verdicts in 25 different counties in Florida, and has successfully represented clients in claims against a large number of hospitals and hospital corporations. Mr Culmo has received numerous professional acknowledgments throughout his career. He has been repeatedly included in The Best Lawyers in America, has received the “AV” pre-eminent rating from the Martindale Hubbell peer review directory, and is a member the American Board of Trial Advocates. OCT 2021 | WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM MY LEGAL LIFE - MELANIE DAMIAN & TOM CULMO the risk of starting a firm with Peter Valori. It was a slow process, and it took perseverance, many late hours, and many donated free services, but we built loyalty amongst our clients, and today I am proud of the firm we have built. Tom: My father and grandfather each had their own small businesses and being around them was a huge influence on me. Like them, after four great years with Don, I realised I wanted to have my own business and my own firm. I took the leap with only four clients and hit the ground running. I was again fortunate to have the friendship and mentoring of some great lawyers who helped me and had my back as I built my practice: Gene Kubicki, Mike Josephs, Lew Jack and Andy Haggard, to name a few. What plans do you have for Damian & Valori LLP I Culmo Trial Attorneys in the final quarter of the year and beyond? We aim to continue what we have been doing and continue to build upon this new foundation. We all work really hard and enjoy what we do. Practicing law and engaging in the community with people you like, and respect is a privilege and a blessing. It is also a lot of fun. 31