I always knew that I wanted to start my own practice after I graduated from law school. My goal was to help people with their personal issues. Being a personal advocate to me was always taking the strongest position for your client and never giving up the fight, even when you think you might lose. The motto of "Never give up" was something that carried over throughout my career as an attorney. In 2002 I began my legal career in litigation at a plaintiff's personal injury firm. I learned the value of communicating with clients who were severely injured and were looking for compensation. Their biggest complaints were that the attorneys in the office never got back to them on what was happening with their case. So I made it my goal to always return every phone call. I never left the office for the day until every single phone call had been returned. As a young associate, I knew client communication was the number one goal to a satisfied customer. Shortly thereafter in early 2003, I felt it was time to move on, and I launched my career into criminal law at the Kings County District Attorney's Office. I was quickly thrown into the courtroom and cut my teeth on over 300 misdemeanor cases, many of which I tried to successful verdicts. I was then placed into the grand jury were I successfully indicated over 500 criminals resulting in sustainable felony charges. In 2006, I was promoted to a felony assistant. I returned to the courtroom in the Supreme Court of New York fighting for the citizens of Brooklyn. While trying numerous felony cases I quickly learned how to size up my cases early on, gather evidence that would hold up in front of a jury, and prepare my witnesses so that their stories were fluid, credible, and accurate. I won as many cases as I lost, but I learned to never be afraid to take any case to verdict, especially the tough ones, because you never know what can help. I never enjoyed being pushed around in the courtroom and I learned how to push back respectfully and diligently with the most up to date legal precedent and as much evidence as possible to prove my point. I never stopped until I found the truth and combed every piece of paper, report, or photo to find the answers I was seeking. I always went the extra mile to find as many witnesses as possible and as much evidence as I could to win. In 2007 I began to feel that I needed to make a change in my career. I returned to civil litigation. I spent a number of years in private practice where I defended insurance companies on complex litigation matters. I am extremely glad that I made the switch because it gave me the opportunity to learn the behind the scene decisions of insurance adjusters and lengths they will go in order to deny your claim. Additionally, I learned how litigate complex matters breaking down the issues to handle them effectively. I never thought of myself as a "defense guy" and I knew my skills were better equipped for a plaintiff's practice. The decisions the insurance companies made in denying claims against parties that were truly injured I believed were performed in error. In 2010 I made the decision to open my own law firm. I knew that I wanted to devote myself to taking on smaller clients that needed personal attention and were looking for guidance. I was fortunate enough to be selective in the types of cases that I took on in my practice. I did not want to treat my clients like they were just a name and number whose file was sitting on a shelf. I made it my business to know my clients personally, give them as much individual attention so that they feel that they are my only client. In my current practice I bring intuitive trial skills along with my communication skills. I still make it my number one priority to personally return every phone message I receive. Additionally, I guide my clients through every step of the litigation. I like to make them feel they are part of the process. I know my clients appreciate my diligence and hard work. Lastly, I've learned to take on the difficult cases, and I know that there are times when you have to force your adversary into the courtroom. I am not afraid to lose, and it's that confidence which has made me successful.

Salim F. Sabbagh’s practice is focused on personal injury litigation. Salim is a trial lawyer in New Jersey and New York. Salim dedicates his time outside of the office to the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ), an organization dedicated to protecting the citizens of New Jersey by fighting to preserve and strengthen the laws for safer products and workplaces, a cleaner environment, quality healthcare, and other issues related to protecting citizens’ rights. Salim is not only a member of NJAJ, but he has also been appointed to their Board of Governors, and holds positions on NJAJ’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, along with the Minority Trial Lawyers committee. Salim is a frequent speaker at NJAJ events, providing insight into the law to fellow attorneys across the state. Prior to opening Sabbagh Thapar, Salim worked at a prominent New Jersey law firm, which was consistently ranked as one of the “Best Law Firms” in the state by U.S. News. Salim has also served as a judicial intern to the Hon. Susan J. Steele, Civil Division, in Bergen County Superior Court, and to the Hon. Kathleen A. Sheedy, Family Division, in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Sarabraj “Sarab” S. Thapar is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction held by only 2% of attorneys. In order to achieve this distinction, Sarab had to complete a specific number of trials, receive recommendations from judges and other adversaries, and pass a written test to demonstrate his knowledge. He is licensed in both New Jersey and New York. Sarab brings a unique advantage to his clients, having had vast ranging experience representing defendants and plaintiffs throughout his career. Sarab has handled a wide array of matters ranging from motor vehicle, motorcycle and trucking accidents, as well as bus, train, several Uber/Lyft crashes. He has also successfully assisted several clients in slip and fall incidents on both public and private premises, as well as victims of dog attacks/bites. Sarab’s experience also includes favorably representing those injured by drunk drivers, victims of assault, and numerous consumer fraud matters. Sarab has been able to recover millions of dollars for his clients by way of settlement or trial. With an over 90% success rate at trial, Sarab is well-regarded as a keen litigator amongst his peers and clients. Prior to Covid, Sarab was able to obtain a jury award over 10x the final offer made by the insurance company. During law school, Sarab interned for the Hon. Donald J. Venezia, J.S.C. where he handled criminal matters.

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SOHAIL SHAHPAR, ESQ. (2006, Hofstra University School of Law). Since 1999 Mr. Shahpar has worked as a Major League Baseball Players Association Certified Agent representing clients in contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and arbitration. Mr. Shahpar joined the Firm in 2008 and specializes his practice to employment matters such as contracts and severance agreements. Mr. Shahpar is licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York.

Andrew F. Garruto began his legal career as a judicial intern for the Honorable Stanley R. Chesler, U.S. Magistrate, (now U.S. District Court Judge), in Newark, New Jersey. He then worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable June Strelecki, Judge of the NJ Superior Court and then for the Honorable Arthur J. Blake, Judge of the NJ Superior Court. In 1992, Andrew Garruto became a trial lawyer in an active litigation firm before practicing law on his own. His newly built office is located in his hometown of Nutley, New Jersey, and he also has an office in downtown Manhattan. Mr. Garruto concentrates his practice on personal injury claims, involving any incident where one’s negligence causes injury to another, as well as Workers’ Compensation claims. Mr. Garruto is admitted to practice law by the New Jersey Supreme Court, the United States Federal District Court, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Board Certified Trial Attorney, is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and was named in New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s “Top 100 Lawyers in New Jersey.”

Christopher Theodore Karounos is a practicing lawyer in the state of New Jersey.

Douglas S. Schwartz, formerly of the Union County Prosecutor's Office, joined the firm in 1992 and became a partner in 1999, when the name of the firm was changed to Sisselman & Schwartz, LLP. Douglas Schwartz is a practicing lawyer in the state of New Jersey specializing in Accident & Injury. Mr. Schwartz received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1991.