MELISSA SCHWARTZ - CLASSIFICATION TALK - JULY 28, 2016

Melissa Schwartz delivered her classification talk at the July 28, 2016 meeting of Emmaus Rotary Club. Melissa was sponsored for club membership by Mike Gibson in September 2015.

Melissa was born in the Bronx, New York. When she was 8 years old, she moved to suburban New Jersey. Melissa attended public schools in Old Bridge and thereafter attended Muhlenberg College where she graduated with a degree in Business. After Muhlenberg, the economy was not favorable for business graduates. So, Melissa opted to attend law school. Melissa attended Brooklyn Law School and enjoyed her time there despite living in a tiny Cobble Hill studio apartment with a Muhlenberg friend. After graduating, Melissa went back to New Jersey to practice law.

While attending a colleague’s engagement party, she was introduced to Steven Gutterman who would later become her husband. They settled in Somerset, New Jersey and had two children - Matthew and Lauren. Steven had an employment opportunity in the purchasing department of Mack Trucks, which brought Melissa back to the Lehigh Valley. While studying for the bar exam in Pennsylvania, Melissa worked as a paralegal at a medical malpractice defense firm. During this time, she responded to a blind ad from a law practice looking to add a staff attorney. Melissa recognized the firm from the ad because of her friendship with the managing partner’s brother. She was offered the job and joined the personal injury law firm of Scherline & Associates in 1998. Melissa obviously has a passion for helping people and described the open door policy she offers to all in need.