The late Stephen T. Saltz, Esq., cofounded what
is now the Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky personal injury
law firm with Robert J. Mongeluzzi and Michael F. Barrett in
1998.
Prior to the firm's founding, the three had worked together for
years as partners in a predecessor Philadelphia personal injury law
firm.
Mr. Saltz's career as a personal injury attorney followed a
distinguished public sector career that included representing
indigent clients as a criminal defense attorney with the
Philadelphia Defenders Association and, later, as a deputy
Philadelphia City Solicitor, managing the city's Civil Rights
Office.
During his nearly 40-year legal career, the former president of
the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association (1992-1993) developed a
renowned reputation within the Philadelphia legal community as a
relentless advocate for his clients while always following the
highest ethical standards of legal practice. He was named one of
Pennsylvania's "Super Lawyers" every year since the list was
compiled until his death in 2006.
A 1967 graduate of the Villanova University School of Law, Mr.
Saltz held an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami. He
chaired the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary System between
1994 and 1996 following four years as a hearing examiner. He also
was ajudge pro tempore, or temporary judge, for the
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for 15 years and served as a
federal mediator for the U.S. District Court.
He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the
Philadelphia Bar Association (1987-89) and the Philadelphia Trial
Lawyers Association (1992) and a seven-year member of the Temple
American Inns of Court.
Born in 1941, Mr. Saltz died in 2006 following a long battle
with cancer.
"In the midst of a prolonged, debilitating illness, Steve's
spirit and selfless determination in pursuing cases on behalf of
our clients with the same unflinching advocacy he always
demonstrated was remarkable, but totally characteristic of him,"
recalls Mr. Mongeluzzi. "In the legal profession it's rare to find
an attorney who is universally liked on all sides of the bar, but
that was Steve. He was the textbook definition of a lawyer's
lawyer."