Practice areas: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in New Jersey since: 2007
Education: Rutgers School of Law - Camden
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2021 - 2022 No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Please visit the Super Lawyers Selection Process for a detailed description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology.
Call today:
732-242-7870
Free Consultation Surman Law, LLC
4400 US-9Suite 1000
Freehold, NJ 07728 Visit website
Joseph Surman is the founder of Surman Law, LLC, in Freehold, New Jersey, where he focuses on representing individuals in personal injury matters, particularly those arising from motor vehicle accidents. Since establishing his firm in 2019, he has drawn on more than a decade of experience in both criminal prosecution and civil litigation to advocate for clients facing complex legal challenges.
Mr. Surman began his legal career in public service as an Assistant Prosecutor in Middlesex County, New Jersey, where he served from 2008 to 2016. During that time, he handled a wide range of serious criminal matters and brought more than 50 cases to verdict, including numerous jury trials involving charges such as homicide, armed robbery, drug offenses and financial crimes. He also worked closely with law enforcement as an on-call legal adviser during high-risk operations and was assigned to the Special Victims’ Unit, where he prosecuted cases involving sexual assault and crimes against children.
Following his tenure with the prosecutor’s office, Mr. Surman expanded his practice into civil litigation, working with prominent firms in Central New Jersey. There, he represented municipalities, police departments and insurance carriers in personal injury litigation while also advocating for individuals pursuing claims related to motor vehicle accidents, premises liability and medical malpractice. This experience on both sides of civil cases has given him a broad perspective on litigation strategy and client advocacy.
In addition to his courtroom work, Mr. Surman contributes to the legal and law enforcement communities through teaching and professional education. He has instructed at the Middlesex County New Police Officer Training Course and has delivered presentations on topics including the use of cellular data in investigations and developments in body-camera and surveillance technology. He also regularly teaches courses on trial evidence through the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Mr. Surman earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and received his law degree from Rutgers Law School. After graduating, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Frederick P. DeVesa in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
DUI/DWI, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Traffic Violations, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 60% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 2007, New Jersey
Bar / Professional Activity
- NJ State PBA Legal Protection Plan and State Trooper Fraternal Association Legal Protection Plan, Member
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Settled a case involving a 25 year old female Plaintiff pre-suit. Plaintiff was rear ended by defendant vehicle in South River, N.J. Underwent two separate shoulder surgeries. Settled pre-suit for max policy ($25k from tortfeasor and additional $75k from UIM), 2024
- Settled a red light motor vehicle accident on behalf of a mother and daughter. Mother aggravated a prior cervical spine injury resulting in additional one level fusion over prior fusion. Total settlement $325,000. Daughter suffered from thoracic spine herniations resulting in mostly conservative treatment. , 2023
- Settled a UIM claim on behalf of a young female driver in her early 20s. Motor vehicle accident caused injuries to her shoulder and scapular region requiring two surgeries. UIM claim settled during trial for $160k out of $200k policy. Total settlement including tortfeasor was $260k., 2023
- Settled a commercial vehicle crash with lumbar surgery and wrongful death claim for $925,000.00 in Middlesex County, N.J., 2023
- $22,500 settlement for out of State Plaintiff rear-ended at red light. Lumbar herniation with conservative care and one injection., 2023
- $49,000 (out of $50,000 max policy) settlement for 60 year old driver hit by left turn motorist, thoracic herniations with conservative care and two injections., 2023
- Settled a tort claim for driver involved in three-car rear-end collision for maximum policy amounts of $125,000.00. Lumbar microdiscectomy., 2022
- Mr. Surman took over a case from a prior attorney. The client was charged with 2 counts of carjacking, one count of robbery and related offenses. His plea offer had been for 15-18 years in New Jersey State Prison. Mr. Surman was able to negotiate a plea offer and sentence of 10 years for the client., 2021
- Client was a 23 year old female involved in a car accident which was the fault of another driver. She underwent two shoulder surgeries and still has weakness and crepitation in her scapular spine and shoulder. Mr. Surman negotiated a partial settlement with the tortfeasor for the full policy amount of $100k without depositions being taken. Mr. Surman is continuing to pursue a claim for an additional $200k against her own insurance company for UM/UIM coverage., 2021
- Client was charged in a domestic violence incident with 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and related charges. He was accused of placing a knife to his partner's neck and causing her to suffer defense wounds to her hands in the course of an argument. He was a first time offender facing up to 10 years in state prison with an 85% parole disqualifier. Mr. Surman was able to resolve the case for Pre-Trial Intervention - meaning the client can receive a dismissal of this case after completing a 3 year period of adjustment and supervision., 2022
- Client's vehicle was struck by a driver making a left hand turn in Metuchen in July 2021. Client suffered lumbar and cervical herniations which required surgical intervention - a lumbar discectomy. Mr. Surman was able to recover the full policy amount from the tortfeasor ($15k) plus the maximum underinsured motorist policy from the client's own insurance company ($85k). This was accomplished without depositions, discovery, etc., 2022
- Client was charged with 1st degree Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, and related charges. He was facing 15 to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison and was detained in jail pending trial. Mr. Surman was able to not only get the defendant released pending sentencing but also secured a period of probation with no further jail time via plea negotiations., 2021
Educational Background
- Rutgers University, 2004
- Top Gun Undercover Narcotics Officer Training Course, Graduate
Honors
- Superlawyers, superlawyers.com, 2023
- Superlawyers, www.superlawyers.com, 2024
- Municipal Court Practice Attorney of the Year, Middlesex County Bar Association, 2021
- Mr. Surman was selected to the 2022 Superlawyers Rising Stars list., Superlawyers Rising Stars List, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2021
- Executive Board Member for the Hunter Moot Court Program
Industry Groups
- New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association
- State Trooper Fraternal Association
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2021 - 2022
