Who Is Schaffer & Associates?
Thomas Schaffer
Attorney Thomas Schaffer was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1990. He is also a member of the Toledo Bar Association, the Ohio Association for Justice, is the Board President of the Zepf Community Mental Health Center, and is a Board Member for the Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. Thomas graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Economics, from Bowling Green State University in 1986 with a Master’s degree in Economics, and from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1990 with his J.D. degree.
While at the University of Toledo College of Law, Thomas was a Member of the University of Toledo Law Review. Thomas began his career at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co., L.P.A. before starting his own firm, Schaffer & Associates, in July of 2019. Over time, he has become a fearless advocate for injured workers. Thomas Schaffer says the following about his life and his firm:
“I come from a family of eight where my father and mother both worked and struggled to make ends meet, week after week. I became a lawyer to help working men and women, and in particular, those that have been injured due to no fault of their own. Making ends meet is difficult enough for working men and women, but it is especially difficult when unexpected injury happens. Those injured need assistance in making sure that their claims are approved, and that any and all compensation and medical benefits available are provided. It gives me great pleasure to help such people, and I am very proud of the work we all do on behalf of working men and women at Schaffer & Associates.”
Marilyn Brenner Levine
Attorney Marilyn Levine was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2001. Marilyn attended Ohio State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Labor and Human Resources. Marilyn received her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Marilyn is a past President Board of Directors for Leading Families Home and Beach House Family Shelter. She is a member of the Toledo Bar Association, the Ohio Association for Justice, and the Ohio Bar Association, and is on the Advisory Board of the University of Toledo Paralegal Studies Program.
Marilyn began her career at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co., L.P.A. in 1984 as a paralegal, returning to law school in 1997. She continued working as a full-time paralegal while attending law school. In 2019, she joined the team at Schaffer & Associates as one of their top workers’ compensation attorneys. Marilyn’s passion for representing injured workers and working for their fair treatment makes her a fearless advocate for those in need. Marilyn has this to say about her life and work:
“I grew up in the Rust Belt in Youngstown, Ohio in the 60s and 70s. I witnessed people who had given their whole lives working for the steel industry lose everything due to corporate greed and politics. I have always been committed to the labor movement – protecting the rights of working men and women. I see the ‘profit before people’ mentality play out in my practice as workers are injured and abandoned by their employers that they believed would protect them only to find that their jobs are replaced when they can no longer do the job because of injury. I get enormous pleasure from helping those who are injured in the course of their work get the benefits they justly deserve.”
Laura Wilson
Attorney Laura Wilson is a Northwest Ohio native. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2001. She attended the University of Toledo, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in 1996, and her J.D. degree in 2001. In February, 2009 Laura fulfilled the requirements and was deemed qualified as a Guardian Ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocates (GAL/CASA) for Lucas County. She volunteered as a GAL/CASA from 2009 – 2012.
Laura was a member of the Wood County Democratic Party from 2001 – 2003 and the Lucas County Young Democratic Party from 2004 – 2007. She was the Northwest Ohio Regional Director for the Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus from 2006 – 2009. She served as a Board member for the Thomas M. Wernert Center from 2006-2012. Since 2012, Laura has served as a Board member of Lucas County Children’s Services, serving as Board President from 2015 to 2020.
Laura began her journey in helping others as a law clerk at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co., L.P.A. from 1998 to 2001, continuing with the firm as an attorney when she passed the Ohio bar in 2001. In July 2019, Laura left GT&B to start a new firm with two other attorneys—Schaffer & Associates, LPA. Laura’s career has focused on fighting for the rights of individuals injured on the job and those who are disabled and unable to work, helping them obtain the compensation they need and deserve. Laura has the following to say about her work:
“Personal life experiences have taught me that people need an advocate who is willing to work for them and fight for their rights. I became an attorney so that I could be that advocate for those who need someone on their side.”
