Palmerton attorney James A. Wimmer was recently honored by his family, friends, colleagues and members of the Carbon County Bar Association for his 50 years of service as a practicing attorney.

During the event, held at the Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville, Wimmer received several citations and resolutions from the Special Court Judges of Pennsylvania, the office of Sen. John T. Yudichak, the office of Rep. Doyle Heffley, the Carbon County Commissioners and the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas.Carbon County Public Defender Paul J. Levy spoke of Wimmer's "humanity" and "compassion," noting that he took that with him every day in "every legal end of his practice" with his clients and with his family as well.Levy said, "Men like him, (Wimmer) make our world a great place."Wimmer's sister-in-law, attorney Nancy T. Wimmer described him as being the "family's core" and how his "example sets the tone" for his brothers.Levy and Nancy Wimmer both drew attention to the integrity of James Wimmer in their address.FamilyJames A. Wimmer was born on Feb. 13, 1941, in Scranton, the son of Monroe and Naomi Wimmer.He is the oldest of their four sons, the others being Martin, Robert and Howard.After graduating from Scranton Central High School in 1958, Wimmer attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in accounting.After graduation in 1962, Wimmer attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his Bachelor of Laws Degree in June 1965.He joined his father-in-law, Jacob Philip, in the practice of law in Palmerton; was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on Nov. 15, 1965; admitted to the Carbon County Bar on Nov. 22, 1965; and also was admitted to practice before the United States Federal Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania.On Oct. 18, 2010, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.From 1967 until 1975, Wimmer served as an assistant district attorney under John Deutsch.In 1971, he became solicitor for the Palmerton Area School District and remained in that position for more than 30 years.He also served as the solicitor for Eldred Township, Monroe County, in the early 1970s.Wimmer was a member of the board of directors of the Carbon County Bar Association, serving on the Law Journal Committee for many years and as Chancellor of the Association from June 1989 to June 1991.He also was a member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, representing the Carbon County Bar from 1985 to 1995.BankingWhile practicing law, Wimmer was also involved in banking activities.He served as a director of Tri-County State Bank in Bowmanstown from 1966 to 1975 and as a director of the Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Palmerton from 1974 to 2000.He was elected president of the board of Citizens Bank in January 1982, and became chairman in August 1994.When Citizens Bank and Trust Company merged with Harleysville National Corporation in 2000, Jim became a director of Harleysville National Corporation and served in that capacity until 2008, when the bank merged with First Niagara Bank.Wimmer always enjoyed his banking activities, especially those activities which enabled people to purchase their first homes and start new businesses, all of which benefited the economy of Palmerton and the surrounding area.Wimmer has spent much time serving the wider community in which he practices.In December 1989, at the request of Dave Carpenter, president of Horsehead Industries, Wimmer, together with Dave Carpenter, Charlie Campton, Bill Smelas, and others, formed the Horsehead Community Development Fund, which Horsehead Industries established as a charitable foundation to benefit the Palmerton and lower Carbon County area, as well as neighboring regions of Lehigh and Northampton counties the main areas from which Horsehead drew its employees.The Horsehead Community Development Fund has distributed more than $3.1 million to various area charities, including hospitals, libraries, and organizations that aid youth activities, senior citizens and disabled people, clearly making a significant difference in the quality of life in the area.Wimmer has also served as a pro bono solicitor of the Aquashicola-Lower Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Company and has been named an honorary life member of the fire company.More serviceHe lives in Allentown with his wife, Linda, and served on the board of directors of Congregation Keneseth Israel as treasurer of the synagogue for two three-year terms.During his tenure as treasurer, he was instrumental in installing an up-to-date budgeting and financial control system which helped to place the synagogue on a firm financial footing.In addition, he and Linda served as co-chairs for the synagogue's expansion and renovation campaign, a capital campaign that raised more than $2 million.Currently, he is completing his ninth and final year as a board member of Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, a social service agency.As dedicated as Wimmer is to his profession and his community, what makes him most proud is his family.Wimmer married his wife on June 16, 1963, and will soon be celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary.They are the parents of two sons, David and Michael, who both live in Los Angeles.David and his wife, Leslie, have two sons, Sam, 15, and Max, 11.When not working, Jim and Linda enjoy spending their spare time visiting their family in California and traveling to many places throughout the world.They also enjoy reading, museums, music and theater.In his remarks, Wimmer said he "really enjoyed the practice of law" and that it has been "a wonderful journey," noting that the foundation of that journey has been his family.He spoke of the late nights and weekends of work that often prevented him from seeing his wife and children, and he thanked them for their patience and support.He also thanked his secretary, Sue Shelly, who has worked in his office since 1978, saying that she has been "dedicated," "faithful," and "kind."Wimmer stated that the practice of law gave him a "real sense of fulfillment.""I enjoy working every day. I enjoy helping people. When someone comes in and says 'thank you' for what you've done for them, it makes you feel very, very good," said Wimmer.He said his practice of law has been rewarding and has given him the ability to provide for his family, children and grandchildren, noting that if you "work hard, you play hard" and that after working for so many years, he and his wife may now enjoy taking more vacations.When asked if he has any plans on retiring, Wimmer's response is, "No. I have the best of both worlds."