About Us

Lerman & Son has its roots in Germany where we began as a shoe manufacturing company. Located in Berlin, we had a manufacturing plant with 500 employees. We were a successful business that required our departure during the Nazi occupation. The Orthotic and Prosthetic part of the company at this time was small niche department that was a special interest of our founder, Jacob Lerman.

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For ten years, we were in Shanghai, China. During this time, we became a full Orthotic & Prosthetic facility. It was also during this time, that Max Lerman, the son of Jacob Lerman became a part of the business receiving an apprenticeship by the Leyser Brothers who were German Meisters in Orthotics and Prosthesis. On finishing his four year apprenticeship, Max Lerman joined Jacob Lerman formalizing Lerman & Son in Shanghai.

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In 1948, Jacob and Max came to Los Angeles via San Francisco. They opened our first office near the original Cedars of Lebanon hospital on Fountain Avenue. Years later, their offices were moved to 8374 Wilshire when Cedars Sinai Medical Center was opened. Also in 1956, Max Lerman became a Certified Orthotist by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics(ABC). In that same year, we began our affiliation with the County of Los Angeles attending clinics and seeing inpatients at the County Hospital which later became known as the USC County Medical Center. Max Lerman continued his education at the UCLA Orthotics and Prosthetics program where he later joined the faculty teaching Orthotics. Max Schwartz, Max Lerman’s brother in law joined the business during this time and also became ABC certified.

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In 1975, Jack Schwartz, Max Schwartz’s son became ABC certified and began his affiliation at USC Medical Center. Jack Schwartz has become over the years a pivotal company manager training our ABC staff and acting as our conduit to many of the community Orthopedic Surgeons. He has also been active in helping our company grow by actively pursuing new hospitals and physicians.

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In 1981, Lawrence Lerman, Max Lerman’s son became a part of the business. He began working at USC Medical Center with later affiliations at Orthopedic Hospital and Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles, Lawrence became ABC Certified in 1991 and has evolved into the company’s pediatric specialist attending many clinics and hospitals. Lawrence has been pivotal in his research and development that has given him academic merit all over the world.

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By far, the mainstay of our organization is Max Lerman. His many innovative products over the years has shaped the health care of millions of patients. In 2005, Max Lerman was honored by the Academy or Orthotics and Prosthetics (AOPA) with a Clinical Creativity Award. Along with his wife Mina, daughter Denise the daily business duties are managed and efficiently supervised.

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The business has been serving the community for over 100 years.