Larry Lazzara, a Scottsdale personal injury attorney and founding partner of Lazzara Law Firm, rescued seven drowning swimmers in two days this past summer while serving a two-week stint with the Belmar Beach Patrol in Belmar, New Jersey. The rescues occurred when Belmar Beach was struck by the most aggressive rip currents of the season, and Lazzara, alongside fellow lifeguards, helped bring thirteen victims to safety, seven of whom he pulled directly from the water.
Lazzara, who has since earned the nickname "The Lifeguard Lawyer," was recognized in his late teenage years and early twenties as one of the top rescue swimmers along the Jersey shore. After graduating from law school in 2004, he stepped away from the Belmar Beach Patrol to begin his legal career. Over the years, he advanced steadily through the legal profession and has been recognized among the leading personal injury attorneys in Arizona, a distinction reflected in multiple "Attorney of the Year" awards. He was also recently featured in the Washington Post as one of the most influential attorneys in the country.
Twenty-one years after leaving the beach patrol, Lazzara returned to the shore during his first two-week vacation, during which the Belmar Beach Patrol welcomed him back to the lifeguard stand. Two days into that return, the rip currents struck. Lazzara responded immediately, entering the water without hesitation. "When you see someone in danger, you act - there is no calculation, no delay," Lazzara said. "That same urgency is what I bring to every client who walks through the door after suffering a serious injury."
The rescue required composed decision-making under pressure, mirroring the daily demands of a personal injury attorney navigating complex legal battles for clients who have been seriously hurt. Lazzara Law Firm operates on the principle that when someone is in crisis, they deserve an advocate who shows up without reservation. That mentality was visible in the water, just as it is in the courtroom.
The incident has prompted discussion in legal and community circles about the relationship between a professional's personal character and the values they bring to their work. For Lazzara Law Firm, the swift response served as an authentic demonstration of what the firm represents: protecting people who cannot fully protect themselves, whether in open water or in a legal dispute against an insurance company or negligent party. Learn more about the firm and its practice areas.
Lazzara's background has shaped his understanding of what it means to be seriously hurt and face an uncertain road ahead. Many of his clients have been in accidents they did not see coming, left to manage medical bills, lost income, and the demands of a legal system they were never prepared to navigate. The firm's approach centers on removing those burdens from clients and carrying them as an advocate, giving injured Arizonans a fighting chance when the stakes are highest.
These selfless acts reflect the core values of the Lazzara Law Firm - standing beside people in crisis and fighting to protect them when it matters most. For readers, this story underscores the importance of choosing legal representation that demonstrates genuine commitment, and for the legal industry, it highlights how personal character can reinforce professional advocacy. Images from the rescue are available here.
