Lee Schmeer is an associate in Schnader’s Litigation Department. Mr. Schmeer’s legal practice is focused on aviation and product liability matters. He is a pilot with extensive worldwide flight experience, having flown 90 combat missions in the United States Air Force. Mr. Schmeer serves as an Air Force Reserve Instructor Pilot on the C-17 Globemaster III.
While in law school, he interned for The Honorable Robert B. Kugler in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region III Office of Regional Counsel. He also served as a summer associate at Schnader in 2013.
News & Publications
- Aviation Happenings: Spring 2021
- Aviation Happenings: Winter 2020
- Veterans Day Reflections: How Military Service Benefits Our Work in the Law
- Veterans Day 2020: Schnader Celebrates Our Military Veterans
- Dogs, Coded Notes, Christmas Trees: Attys’ Military Memories
- Aviation Happenings: Fall 2020
- Aviation Happenings: Summer 2020
- PA Super Lawyers Named
- Aviation Happenings: Spring 2020
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2019
- An Advocate’s Charge: Important Tips for Tailoring Jury Instructions to Your Case
- Aviation Happenings – Fall 2019
- Schnader Wins Unanimous Jury Verdict for Defense in Trial Arising from a Mechanic’s Fall from an Airport Modular Refueling Truck
- Aviation Happenings – Summer 2019
- Schnader Lawyers Named to PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Aviation Happenings – Spring 2019
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2018
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2018
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2018
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2018
- Carl Schaerf and Lee Schmeer Analyze Challenges for the Government Contractor’s Defense under the New Presidential Administration
- Aviation Happenings- Winter 2017
- Why Pilots Take to the Skies, Despite the Risks
- Lee Schmeer Recognized in Article about Air Force Reserve Humanitarian Mission to Haiti
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2017
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2017
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2017
- Aviation Happenings- Winter 2016-2017
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2016
- Settling Defendants Beware: Eleventh Circuit Holds Settling Insurer Liable for Failure to Protect Medicare Payments Made by Private Insurer
- Schnader Associate Lee C. Schmeer Pins on Rank of Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2016
- Picking up the Pieces: Plaintiffs Relying on Registration Statutes in the Wake of Daimler
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2016
- Greasing the Wheels of Safety: NTSB Updates Regulations Governing Reports and Proceedings
- The FAA’s Drone Dilemma: The Need for Regulation vs. Liberal Licensing
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2015
- Eighth Circuit Applies Compulsory Insurance Doctrine to Save Northwest: What Will Save You?
- Schnader Welcomes Two New Associates
- Recent NJ Appellate Court Decision Indicative of Continuing Uncertainty Regarding Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Manufacturers Using U.S. Distributors
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2014
Community & Pro Bono
- Philadelphia Bar Foundation Board Observer Program Advisory Committee, Member
- Military Assistance Project, Member of the Board of Directors
Pro Bono
- Represented Philadelphia prison inmate in section 1983 case in Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
- Representing artist in contract dispute on behalf of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
- Certified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to represent veterans in claims disputes with the VA.
Education
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2014
- University of California at Santa Barbara, B.A., with honors, 2004
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 2014
- New Jersey, 2014
Court Admissions
- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals
- District of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Other Distinctions
- JDSupra Readers’ Choice Award Winner, 2017
- Named to “Super Lawyers Rising Stars,” 2019-2020*
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Further information on methodologies is available via these links.
Representative Matters
Aviation
- Assisted in the defense of a major aircraft manufacturer in a fatal twin turbo-propeller crash.
- Assisted in defense of relay manufacturer in Pilatus PC-12 crash.
- Defended major engine manufacturer in fatal Apache helicopter accident.
- Defended solar energy company in a suit arising from the crash of reconnaissance flight over a solar construction site.
- Assisting in defense of major airline in a suit arising from alleged injuries suffered during takeoff.
- Assisting in defense of dry lessee in 2014 G-IV crash at Hanscom Field, MA.
- Defending major airline in cases arising from alleged injuries sustained during severe turbulence encounter.
- Defending major aircraft refueling equipment manufacturer against design defect claims.
- Successfully defended major airline in arbitration arising from injuries to passenger allegedly sustained during aircraft boarding.
Products Liability
- Defended major electrical product manufacturer in case arising from house fire.
Other Matters
- Defended developer in contract dispute with purchaser of condominium.
- Representing several major corporate trustee institutions in disputes with trust beneficiaries.
