Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore (KDLM)

Top New York Personal Injury Lawyers

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Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore (KDLM) is routinely ranked among the top three law firms in New York representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death cases.


Our firm has won over 150 verdicts of over $1 million for clients, and has negotiated settlements on behalf of clients in excess of $1 billion.


When American Legal Media (ALM) published their first Medical Malpractice Hall of Fame, KDLM was recognized for winning five of the top 25 cases on the list, more than any other firm.


Two out of the three highest medical malpractice verdicts ever awarded in New York history were achieved by our firm.


In addition to our medical malpractice specialty, the firm’s attorneys won one of the largest personal injury verdicts in New York state history: $172 million for a 29-year-old handicapped woman who was tragically injured after New York City EMTs responded to her home and then failed to perform even basic emergency care. Our firm also negotiated a $20 million settlement for two college graduates who suffered third degree burns when the popular household decoration they purchased from a well-known national retailer suddenly and unexpectedly burst into flames.


The firm and its partners have appeared on virtually every "Best Lawyers" list for the past 20 years.


tom_moore_Judy_livingston_new_york_attorneysSenior partners Judith Livingston and Tom Moore (who are married to each other) are among the most successful and respected trial attorneys in the country. In medical malpractice cases, labor law and negligence cases, Moore and Livingston have won more than 120 verdicts over $1 million. In addition, they have negotiated settlements on behalf of their clients in excess of $1 billion.

They are both members of the elite trial attorney's group The Inner Circle of Advocates. Judy was the first woman ever to be named to the Inner Circle. Both Judy and Tom are listed in the highly respected book "The Best Lawyers in America," published by Woodward White. In 2014, American Legal Media published its first Medical Malpractice Hall of Fame. KDLM won five of the top 25 cases on the list, more than any other firm. Two out of the three highest verdicts on that list, ever awarded in New York history, were achieved by our firm.

It is little wonder that KDLM was named to the National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs Hot List." They are regularly recognized and honored by their peers. But it is their dedication to their clients that is the hallmark of their practice.

As a measure of other attorneys' respect for the firm's legal expertise, Tom and his partner Matt Gaier have written a regular column on medical malpractice for the New York Law Journal since 1997. In addition, Tom and Matt are authors of the most important legal textbooks on medical malpractice and trial practice.

Success for our clients requires relentless preparation and intimate knowledge of the law. It requires experience and financial resources to fully investigate, research and prepare every case we take on, from beginning to end.

We are committed to that effort and dedicated to working on behalf of our clients. KDLM prides itself on giving each case the complete attention it deserves and requires at every step of the legal process.


We serve our clients diligently from the initial investigation all the way to a trial or even an appeal — regardless of the size of the opponent.


Very simply, KDLM has had an extraordinary success rate in representing plaintiffs in negligence cases, including catastrophic accidents, severe injuries, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

This also means that we are very selective about the cases we accept. Not all cases are right for KDLM, and we are not the appropriate firm for many types of legal problems. Please read the FAQ section on our website. Then call or email us. We will listen to your problems and concerns, share our perspective and try to guide you to legal representation that makes sense for you.

There is no single type of case or client that is the "right fit" for KDLM. But there is one thing that all of our clients have in common: the need to find justice after suffering debilitating injury and loss.

Meet our New York Personal Injury Attorneys:

Our Founder and Legacy

Charles Kramer

charles_kramerIn 1940, a young lawyer named Charles Kramer left the employ of Harry Gair, a prominent New York City personal injury lawyer, to build his own practice. He rented a two-room suite at 70 Pine Street, and for several years honed his craft on his own. Then, in 1944, he hired a young man who had just been honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Henry Dillof became Charlie's law clerk - a form of apprenticeship that prepared young lawyers for the Bar exam. Two years later, Henry passed the Bar, and became Charlie's Associate. And in 1950, they formed the firm of Kramer & Dillof.

Over the next 25 years, other attorneys joined the partnership, and the firm's reputation for excellence in representing injured plaintiffs - particularly in complicated medical malpractice cases - grew nationally. In 1978, another young attorney joined the firm as partner: Thomas Moore.

Tom Moore recalls:

“When I met Charlie Kramer in 1978 he was a living legend. He was literally a pioneer in medical malpractice litigation, an extraordinary trial lawyer, a true gentleman, and a consummate teacher.

To truly understand Charlie's gift, you would have to meet him. He was diminutive and soft-spoken, but uttered his words with pristine clarity and in commanding fashion. The secret to Charlie's success as a trial lawyer was that he always made himself the least important person in the courtroom. The focus of the jury was on anything but him. This would enable him to make a powerful point in the most subtle manner, leaving an overwhelming impression on the jury. It was as if they wanted to make sure that he understood the significance of what he had just elicited from the witness. His inimitable style made Charlie a master at cross-examination.”

Charles Kramer passed away in March, 1988, and the torch was passed to Tom Moore, who became senior partner. And the values Charlie Kramer espoused are still evident in everything the firm does today.

"There is an absolute commitment to excellence, to integrity, and to respect that permeates everything we do," says Partner Matt Gaier. "The preparation and trial methods that Charlie Kramer pioneered are timeless. We serve the law and our clients with the highest ideals and most effective representation. It is a legacy of which we can be very proud."

Giving Back

Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore believes in giving back and helping our local New York community. We do that by sponsorships, volunteer work, and donations. Read more about the charities we proudly support.