Tom Duffy Accepts PTLA's 39th Annual Justice Michael A. Musmanno Award
Tom Duffy with the Justice Michael A. Musmanno Award
Trial Lawyers Association of Philadelphia News Release: Thirty-nine years ago, the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association established the Justice Michael A. Musmanno Award and began a tradition of presenting the award annually to an outstanding individual who represents the spirit and ideals of the late Justice Musmanno. As a lawyer, speaker, statesman and legislator, Justice Musmanno never stood aside complacently when he believed that cruelty and injustice were being inflicted.
The 2018 Justice Musmanno recipient is Thomas J. Duffy, Esquire, who has always demonstrated the courage and intellect demonstrated by Justice Musmanno throughout his career. Duffy received the award at a dinner on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at The Bellevue Hotel in Center City Philadelphia.
Tom founded Duffy + Partners over 30 years ago with one singular focus - helping individuals and families who are the victims of devastating injuries. Tom has successfully tried many motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, birth injury, spinal cord injury, and other catastrophic personal injury matters.
The recipient of countless distinctions and awards, Tom was selected in 2016 by Best Lawyers of America as the sole “Lawyer of the Year” for Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation in Philadelphia. He is listed annually in the Super Lawyers “Top Ten in Pennsylvania” and “Top 100 in Philadelphia.” Tom is a sought-after instructor on many educational presentations on trial practice and recently delivered the prestigious “Kolsby Lecture” to students and faculty of Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.
Tom has consistently worked to preserve the right to trial by jury and access to the courts. He has successfully argued before the PA Supreme Court and has appeared before the PA House Insurance Subcommittee to discuss legislation involving medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania. In 2015, Tom was named to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Judicial Selection Commission. He also served with distinction as President of PTLA from 2012 to 2013.
Tom dedicates thousands of hours to charitable causes, including Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, where he is a member of the Board of Trustees. Determined to help those less fortunate, Tom established the distinguished and impactful “Duffy Fellowship,” which provides funds to underwrite a staff attorney at several legal service organizations in Philadelphia, including the Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Community Legal Services, and the Homeless Advocacy Project.
Outside of the office, Tom is a licensed and skilled commercial pilot who participates annually in air shows all over the country. He graduated cum laude from Marist College and received his JD from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law. Tom has 3 daughters: Brigid, Claire, and Maura and resides in Philadelphia.