05/11/2026
Friedman Schuman Layser, PC mourns the passing of one of our founding shareholders, Kerry Scott Schuman.
Kerry was a respected leader, trusted advisor, encouraging mentor, and dedicated advocate whose intelligence, determination, and unwavering commitment to his clients left a lasting impact on our firm and the legal community. Throughout his career, he approached every matter with integrity and a relentless focus on protecting his clients’ best interests.
As chairman of the firm’s financial services department, Kerry represented institutional and private lenders in loan documentation, loan workouts, foreclosure, REO, possessory actions, and bankruptcy matters. He also maintained a broad corporate, business, and real estate practice, advising clients on start-ups, entity formation, contracts, employment agreements, partnership and shareholder agreements, business acquisitions and sales, and commercial and residential real estate transactions.
Peter S. Friedman reflected, “Kerry, my law partner for 35 years, was smart, a great problem solver, and had unwavering integrity. He was totally dedicated to our law firm and our clients. He made an impact that will continue to inspire the members of our firm and all who knew him. I will deeply miss my friend.”
“I feel privileged to have known and worked with Kerry for the past 11 years. I only wish that time would have been longer,” said Derek R. Layser, “He was a great lawyer and even better person. We will miss him and his counsel every day.”
"Kerry was my partner and my friend of 34 years. He was instrumental in the success of our law firm and beneficially influential in my career as an attorney. His unique combination of intellect, insight, acumen, empathy and humanity made him an effective, trusted advocate and advisor but, more importantly, an individual of the highest quality. He loved his family, his friends and his profession, all of whom will miss him. Rest in peace, my friend," remarked Robert H. Nemeroff.
While Kerry’s presence at our firm will be profoundly missed, his legacy, leadership, and dedication to the practice of law will continue to inspire generations of attorneys at Friedman Schuman Layser.
