At Swerling Milton Winnick, we are beginning the New Year looking ahead – while remembering those who gave us our unique vision to do so. With that in mind, we’d like to pay tribute to Bruce Swerling (pictured left) and Marvin Milton (pictured right), two industry giants who we recently lost.
Bruce Swerling
Bruce Swerling’s grandfather, Solomon Swerling, started SMW in 1898. In 1963, after graduating from Colby College, Bruce joined his father and grandfather in the family business, becoming a licensed public adjuster. He became one of the best. Awarded the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters’ (NAPIA’s) Person of the Year award in 2004 and one of the few adjusters to be made a Fellow in the Profession of Public Adjusting, Bruce was revered in the industry:
“It was obvious that he was one of the best at his profession. His peers recognized this as well,” wrote attorney Chip Merlin in a tribute posted on www.propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com.
Bruce cared deeply about his clients, and knew that SMW was providing much more than a financial service: “As public insurance adjusters, it is our role to help people during difficult times. Business and homeowners need someone to stand up for them and it is very satisfying to be able to help them work through the complexities of an insurance claim to obtain the settlement they deserve to make them whole again,” Bruce said.
Family mattered most to Bruce, and SMW was his family – literally. Today, his daughters Dayle Swerling Burke and Diane Swerling carry on his legacy of helping clients in what is often their greatest time of need. Diane will have him in mind this June as she is inaugurated as NAPIA’s President.
Marvin Milton
Marvin Milton was licensed as a public adjuster in 1958, following two generations of his family to help run SMW. An accomplished scholar, Marvin graduated from Stanford University and came home to Boston to receive his J.D. from Harvard Law School. An avid Red Sox fan, Marvin likened helping individuals after a loss to the underdog team the Red Sox were at the time:
“I often feel like David versus Goliath, going up against these large insurance companies. As an attorney, I am pleased that I can help my clients better understand the complex issues, especially the legal aspects, of their claims so we can get the best settlement for them.”
Like Bruce, Marvin was recognized as one of the best in the field of public adjusting. Marvin was the first person to be designated a Fellow Professional Public Adjuster by NAPIA for excelling in the practice of public adjusting. In 1997, he was named NAPIA’s “Person of the Year.” Marvin believed in sharing his expertise, and was a leading lecturer and author on insurance and claims issues. His articles appeared in national publications, including National Underwriters, Best’s Review and the New England Real Estate Journal, and he was a frequent lecturer on business interruption insurance for Northeastern University’s Insurance Institute.
While we can never replace Bruce or Marvin, we strive to carry on their legacy of stellar client service, compassion, public service and professional excellence.
