MEET THE TEAM

Monica is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator and a Qualified Arbitrator, and she dedicates her practice to alternative dispute resolution and real estate transactions. She has a background as a litigator in both the defense and plaintiff side of personal injury, negligence, premises liability, auto accidents, property damage, and third party and first party insurance claims. Before law school, Monica taught English at both Miami Dade County Public Schools and Miami Dade College until she relocated to Indiana to attend law school at the University of Notre Dame. While in law school, she worked at the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic helping clients in cases involving mortgage foreclosure and real estate fraud issues. After law school, Monica clerked for Judge Kathleen Lang in LaPorte County Superior Court and later joined the Office of the Indiana Attorney General as a Deputy Attorney General in the Licensing Enforcement and Homeowner Protection Unit. She then began practicing insurance defense litigation until relocating to Southwest Florida, where she continued as a litigator on both the defense and plaintiff side before deciding to focus on alternative dispute resolution and real estate transactions. Monica also serves as the Special Magistrate for the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Monica is originally from Miami, Florida, and is fluent in Spanish. When not working, Monica enjoys canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and reading a good book on the beach with her husband, son, and daughter.  

MONICA'S PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Monica devotes countless hours to the Fort Myers Beach community, including serving as Past President and current board member of the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club. She is a proud member of the Notre Dame Club of SWFL, served as Chair of the Fort Myers Beach Nuisance Abatement Board, and is also past-treasurer and advisor for the board for Friends of Lovers Key (“FOLKS”). Monica is also a member of the Calusa Inn of Court. In 2020, Authority Magazine featured Monica in the article: “How Attorney Monica Schmucker Tackles The Extreme Work Life Balance Of Being A Woman Business Leader During Covid-19.” In years 2021-2024, Monica was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. After Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers Beach, Monica served as a member of the ad hoc committee working with the Lee County School District to come up with a plan for rebuilding Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and worked tirelessly in the efforts to save their school. 

Terry has been certified a specialist in construction law by the Florida Bar since 2015. He’s also certified as a mediator for circuit civil matters by the Florida Supreme Court and qualified by the courts as an arbitrator. Much of Terry’s career has been litigating diverse disputes ranging from construction, insurance and real estate; bodily injury and wrongful death; business disputes such as employment, franchise and financing; and even some constitutional issues. He’s tried cases in FL, NJ and PA (state and federal courts of each). He has appellate experience in FL and NJ – which he considers his “claim to fame.” Examples of this work are: CTX v. Advantage Builders,  47 So.3d 844 (FL 2d DCA 2010) (Construction financing and contractual allocation of risk) and Alston v. Camden, 773 A.2d 693 (N.J. 2001) (NJ Supreme Court argument relating to governmental immunity) and He also serves as an attorney fee expert. He’s seen a lot in 30 years of practice (20 in FL).

Terry considers it a privilege to conduct alternative dispute resolution processes. After decades in the trenches, he finds the practice a breath of fresh air, allowing him to see advocacy from a new perspective. Cases are accepted by private appointment as well as from the Courts and Department of Financial Services. 

When he came to Florida, Terry worked with a multi-state litigation firm, where managed the firm’s first-party and construction department in Southwest Florida. With Monica, he’s been able to go back to personal representation roots. Long before the litigation, Terry assisted clients in commercial and residential real estate, financing and land use as well as wills and estates. In our practice, Terry finds it refreshing to help people with the more personal aspects of life. 

TERRY'S PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Terry was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. He obtained his bachelor degree from Buffalo State College (NY) in 1989. His juris doctor is from Rutgers School of Law, Camden (NJ), class of 1993 with International Law Honors. He remained in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area 12 years before moving his family to Fort Myers in 2005 (just in time for Hurricane Wilma). He is justly proud of his 3 children, all graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. 

Terry has presented continuing legal education programs for the National Business Institute (NBI) and at the national conference of Claims and Litigation Management (CLM). He also provided continuing education classes for clients over the years. He is a member of the Lee County Bar Association. 

Outside the courts, Terry can be found on stage in Southwest Florida. His first role was the Ghost of Christmas Present for “A Christmas Carol” in 2021 and he has been hooked ever since. His next role is Lt. Sam Weinberg in “A Few Good Men” which plays at the Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, April 4 through 6, 2025. (https://onthestage.tickets/show/7-mary-34-productions/67287cd0cb4dbf0f59611c41/tickets#/productions-view) Terry also enjoys roller coasters. He is an unfortunate golfer. He won his fantasy football league in 2024. Terry has long been an avid fan of the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

Tom has been practicing law in Southwest Florida for over 15 years, with the past 10 years dedicated to the fields of personal injury and property damage claims. Tom’s background as a litigator includes representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants in personal injury, negligence, premise liability, auto accidents, property damage, as well as first and third-party liability claims. Tom relocated from Cleveland, Ohio to Fort Myers after graduating law school. He began his practice as an Assistant Public Defender in Florida’s twentieth judicial circuit which includes Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties. After practicing exclusively in criminal defense, Tom switched gears and began to work in the field of personal injury. He expanded his practice to include representing home owner’s in first party insurance claims after Hurricane Irma. Tom currently focuses his current practice on handling litigation matters. 

Tom spends time away from work primarily watching history documentaries. He is passionate about studying ancient civilizations and post-industrial American history. Tom’s wife and daughter are less enthusiastic about history but encourage his hobby. He also plays mandolin. 

Valerie is the glue that holds us all together at Schmucker & Lavy Legal. Valerie serves as the team's legal assistant and paralegal. She also handles scheduling, billing, and other administrative matters. If you have any questions for us related to any administrative issues, you can always reach out to Valerie and she will either help you or get you in touch with the person who can.