Thomas B. Schmidt, III

Tom is a fellow of The Pepper Center for Public Service and vice-chair of its board. The Pepper Center draws on the talents of the firm’s retired partners and senior attorneys to wrestle with tough problems facing our communities. Through the Center, these attorneys study, analyze, and work to resolve problems that affect the lives of people in our communities.

Tom’s practice was predominantly in civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Notably, he was a member of the plaintiffs’ trial team in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, which successfully challenged teaching “Intelligent Design” in public schools.

Tom continues to be involved in pro bono matters, including a constitutional challenge by the Women’s Law Project to restrictions on Medicaid coverage for abortions; co-counseling with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project in several cases; and serving as vice chancellor in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

• Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (2022-2024) – independently rated lawyers
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
• Recipient of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project’s “Hero of Justice” Award (2022)
• Recipient of the 2017 McCormick Medal, Harrisburg Academy
• Recipient of the Thaddeus Stevens Champion Award from the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (2013)
• Recipient of Pepper Hamilton’s William R. Klaus Pro Bono Award (2008)