About Casale,
Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C
Our attorneys at Casale, Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C. are all local to Williamsport, PA, and care for the community we live in. At our law firm, we are wholly invested in our clients because our clients are our neighbors. We believe everyone has the right to be fairly represented and achieve justice.
We practice personal injury, family law, and estate planning – therefore we can help most areas of your life that require legal assistance. Our lawyers have the experience and passion to defend you aggressively and at a fair price. We ensure you will achieve the best possible outcome and move forward with your life.
Call our office to schedule an appointment.
What Makes Our Attorneys Different
From more than twenty years of representing insurance companies, we have learned they don’t care if your lawyer advertises on television or radio. They don’t care if he or she has lots of shiny billboards. They don’t care about Avvo ratings or anyone else’s ratings, either. What they care about is what experience they or other insurance companies have had with that lawyer.
- Does he have experience with serious injury cases?
- Does she have trial experience?
- Is the attorney willing to take a case to trial if necessary, or does he have a reputation for being quick to settle?
- Does the lawyer properly work up his cases, assuming all along that the case will go to trial if necessary, or does he simply go through the motions in hope of a settlement at the end?
We have evaluated thousands of cases for insurance companies, and nearly without fail, one of the factors considered in valuing the case is the ability and experience of the injured person’s lawyer. Generally, a lawyer who is well-regarded by the insurance industry will get better recoveries for her client than a lawyer who is less well-regarded.
Meet Our Attorneys
At Casale, Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C., we have four highly qualified attorneys that are committed to representing the Williamsport, PA community. Get to know each of our lawyers and their qualifications below.
Bradley S. Hillman
Shareholder Since 1999
Attorney Brad Hillman graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and obtained a post-bachelor degree in Education in 1988. In 1991, he obtained his law degree from Duquesne University. He was a law clerk for the Honorable William S. Kieser from 1992 to 1993 before joining the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office as Assistant District Attorney from 1993 to 1996. Beginning in June 1996, Brad joined the practice of law at Casale, Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C. becoming a full shareholder in 1999.
Since becoming licensed to practice law in 1991, Brad has had significant litigation experience in a variety of practice areas. He has litigated personal injury matters, general civil contracts, and complex commercial business disputes. Brad has also devoted a significant amount of time to litigation of criminal and matrimonial matters. Brad is a member of the Lycoming Law Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Family Law Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Additionally, Brad is a member of the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, and the Williamsport/Newberry Lions Club.
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 1991
Education
Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.D. – 1991
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Post-Bachelor Degree in Education – 1988
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
B.A. – 1987
Honors & Awards
Outstanding Service Award, North Central Sight Services
Professional Associations and Memberships
Lycoming Law Association, Member
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Division, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Pro Bono Activities
Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Member
Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Member
Williamsport/Newberry Lions Club, Member
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Business Transactions
- Estate Planning
Bret J. Southard
Shareholder
Bret spent the first twenty years of his career defending insurance companies. He utilizes his extensive experience from defending these companies to understand what is needed from you and your attorney if you are injured, in order to maximize the value of your claim. What many injured people do not realize is that experience and reputation of the attorney representing an injured person is critically important in the evaluation of an injured person’s claim.
The insurance companies and their attorneys are fully aware of which lawyers know what they are doing and which ones do not. They know which attorneys are “settlers” and which ones will aggressively try cases when necessary. Bret has been hired and trusted by insurance companies themselves and has 20 years of experience trying and handling cases on their behalf. That’s why you can trust that he is going to work to get you the full value of your claim. Contact Bret today to schedule a free evaluation of your serious injury claim. Let him put his insurance industry experience to work for you.
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 1990
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 1990
U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1993
Education
Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Law Review: Duquesne Law Review, Member, 1988 – 1990
State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, New York
B.A. – 1987
Honors & Awards
Honorable Thomas Wood Equal Access to Justice Award, 2012
Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award, 2013
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Professional Associations & Memberships
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member, 1990 – Present
Lycoming Law Association, Member, 1993 – Present
Pro Bono Activities
High School Mock Trial Coach, 1999 – 2009
Odyssey of the Mind Coach, 2008 – 2020
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Fall Cases
- Product Liability
- Dog Bites
- Commercial
- Insurance Bad Faith
- General Litigation
Bryan C. Fitzcharles
Attorney
Attorney Bryan Fitzcharles, after graduating from high school in 1996 entered the United States Navy and Honorably served a four year term. After an honorable discharge following his service, Attorney Bryan Fitzcharles graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2006.
In 2015 he obtained his law degree from Vermont Law School. Since becoming licensed to practice law in early 2016, Bryan worked on large e-discovery projects in center city Philadelphia.
In 2018, Bryan moved to Williamsport and concentrated largely on family law matters, including custody, divorce, differing types of support, protection from abuse, and equitable distribution.
In May of 2021, Bryan joined the law firm of Casale, Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C., where he will continue representing clients in family law matters but will take on other types of matters, including criminal defense, DUI, drug matters, delinquency matters, all of which he played a role previously.
Bryan is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Lycoming County Bar Association, as well as the Family Law Section, the Criminal Justice Section, and the Solo and Small Firm Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 2015
Education
Vermont Law School, South Royalton Vermont
J.D. – 2015
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester PA
B.A.-2006
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Equitable Distribution
- Child Custody
- Adoption
- Children & Youth matters
- Criminal Defense
- DUI
- Drug Offenses
- Delinquency
- Dependency
- Protection from Abuse
Brandon R. Schemery
Brandon Schemery grew up outside of Benton, Pennsylvania. In 2008, he received his B.A. in Politics from Ursinus College with minors in International Relations and International Business. In 2011, he received his J.D. from Widener University School of Law. While at Widener University, he served as a legal intern with the Widener University School of Law Civil Clinic and clerked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Brandon has practiced in many areas of civil litigation including Family Law, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Estate Planning, and General Civil Litigation.
His clients appreciate his straight-forward and honest approach to practicing law. His laid back and approachable attitude has enabled him to have clients turn into friends. No stranger to court, he has advised and litigated successful outcomes for an incredibly diverse range of clients, across many areas of law, assisting clients from all across Pennsylvania, including numerous clients from other states and countries with Pennsylvania legal matters.
Brandon is a member of Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Lycoming Law Association, and the Family Law Section of the Lycoming Law Association. He also is a member of various charitable non-profit social clubs in Williamsport, including being the Treasurer for the YMRC. He also is on the Board of Directors of the Central PA Chamber of Commerce. When Brandon is not assisting his clients, he enjoys studying the culinary arts, attending concerts, and spending time with his family and friends.
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania Bar, 2011
Education:
Ursinus College, 2008
Widener University School of Law, J.D. 2011.
Professional Experience & Associations:
- Legal intern with the Widener University School of Law Civil Clinic
- Clerked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Member Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Lycoming Law Association
- Family Law Section of the Lycoming Law Association
Areas of Practice:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Spousal Support
- Property Settlement
- Protection From Abuse
Please call our office at 570-326-7044, or send us a message.
Casale, Bonner, Hillman, & Southard P.C.
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Contact Info:
Phone: 570-326-7044
Fax: 570-326-7610
Email: bret@cbatty.com
