Jeffrey M. Kimmel has positioned himself as a fierce business leader in the legal industry, peers say. Indeed, in his role as Managing Partner and CEO, he has navigated the firm’s rapid growth and elevated its status to one of the leading personal injury/medical malpractice law firms in New York. Quietly competitive, keenly perceptive and, peers say, “with a powerful intellect and commitment to justice,” Kimmel owns a broad skillset.

At UPenn, he earned an undergraduate degree from the elite Wharton School. At Brooklyn Law, he was one of three students selected to compete on its prestigious National Moot Court Team and received the school’s coveted American Jurisprudence Awards in Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy. Peers say he is both an excellent writer and gifted litigator. He has a well-honed ability to build and evaluate cases, and help clients anticipate a likely outcome. A competitive streak ignited in Kimmel early on. A four-letter athlete at Long Island’s Plainview Kennedy High School, he captained his varsity soccer team to the 1983 New York State Soccer Championship, the school’s only state title. Recruited by Penn, Kimmel played soccer for two years, but “I knew soccer wouldn’t be my career,” and instead, focused on a more realistic path. He pursued a business degree but always contemplated practicing law, inspired by influences of his youth: Plainview High teacher Marvin Hazan took Kimmel’s class to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., (“He was an important early influence I truly appreciated years later”) and Kimmel’s father “always encouraged me to blaze my own path.” Post law school he joined the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, an ideal proving ground for a lawyer launching a trial career.

After four years and numerous trials (it was routine to break up identity-theft rings and auto chop shops), Kimmel accepted a position with a Manhattan medical malpractice insurance-defense litigation firm; less than a year later Marvin Salenger and Robert Sack, both marquee names of the trial bar focused on classic personal-injury cases, lured Kimmel to their firm. “They were much more than partners to me,” says Kimmel, “their conviction to represent the underdog, and utter dedication to clients perfectly suited my own aspirations.” Kimmel led the firm into representing victims of medical malpractice, launching them into the top echelon of New York malpractice plaintiffs’ work.

The New York Law Journal recognized Jeff as a Trailblazer; an honor awarded to professionals who are agents of change in their respective practice areas. In addition, he was named to the Schneps Media Power Professional List, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of outstanding professionals in business. Jeff is also seen as a new thought leader within the legal community as he constantly reciprocates his passion and knowledge of the law as a sought-after lecturer and mentor. He frequently lectures attorneys on trial-related topics for the National Business Institute (NBI), NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers, New York County Lawyers’ Association and Brooklyn Law School. Additionally, he participates in CLE webinars for Lawline, Clear Law Institute, and myLawCLE. Jeff also regularly participates as a judge in Yale University’s annual mock trial competition.

Says Kimmel: “I’m extremely fortunate to be a part of the continuous growth and success of SSKB. The lawyers and staff all work hard to achieve meaningful results for our clients and restore for them some security and normalcy in their lives after a traumatic event. There’s a lot of satisfaction in that.”