Judge Matthew D’Emic issues strong edict to Bay Ridge Lawyers’ final CLE of season
Outgoing president says passionate goodbye
From left: Bridget Bianco, Esq., Gerard Bianco, Esq., Tommy Tafuri, Esq., Mario Romano, Esq., and Yolanda Guadagnoli, Esq. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
DYKER HEIGHTS — The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association welcomed Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge for criminal matters in the Kings County Supreme Court, for a CLE on ethics at Mama Rao’s May 27.
The topic, “Forget Right and Left and Remember Right from Wrong: What is the common good, why is it important, and how can attorneys promote it?” focused on defining the common good, why it’s important, and how it can be promoted by attorneys through responsibility, courage and renewed commitment.
Stepping away from the noise and the conflict
D’Emic, who received a rousing ovation when announced, told the crowd that society today is living in a time often marked by seemingly relentless division.
The BRLA hosted its last CLE of the season. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
“We’re loudly urged to choose sides — right or left, red or blue, us or them. Labels are becoming shortcuts for identity,” D’Emic said. “For some people, these are excuses for rudely dismissing one another.”
D’Emic said that according to history, societies can’t rise or fall on ideology.
“It’s much more fundamental — the difference between right and wrong,” he said. “I’m inviting you tonight, with hope, to step away from the noise and the conflict so that we can consider a deeper, more enduring question: ‘What is the common good?’ Not as an abstract slogan but as a living principle that shapes how we govern, how we treat one another and how we measure justice — in short, how we conduct ourselves.”
From left: Gerard Bianco, Esq., Bridget Bianco, Esq., and Tommy Tafuri, Esq. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
According to D’Emic, the common good allows all people to lead with dignity, security and opportunity. “What is certain is that the ideal of the common good and its nurturing remains essential in our fractured world.”
The common good is a set of social conditions, institutions, values and relationships that allow all people to flourish as human beings, D’Emic explained. It consists of respecting the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person.
“Without commitment to the common good, society fragments, rights are disconnected from responsibilities, public trust erodes, and institutions weaken,” he continued.
BRLA President Yolanda Guadagnoli, Esq. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
D’Emic said the roles of lawyers and judges carry real consequences for the people they represent and society, noting that ethical conduct across the legal system helps sustain public confidence that disputes and business dealings are resolved fairly.
“I hope we can all forget left and right for a while and instead remember right and wrong, in turn changing the world,” D’Emic said.
Attorney feedback
Legal professionals in the room shared their thoughts on D’Emic’s presentation.
Danielle Noel, Esq., referred to the judge as an erudite and engaging speaker. “It’s refreshing to be reminded that certain moral principles transcend our political and social differences and that our clients and litigants are more than the circumstances that brought them into our office or courtroom.”
Stephen Chiaino, Esq., noted that D’Emic speaks across political lines for what he believes to be the common good.
“Judge D’Emic balances the rights of the victims and also tries to rehabilitate the offenders,” Chiaino said. “He does an amazing job looking at what is truly the common good in all of us.”
Appointed to the bench in 1996, D’Emic has served for more than three decades, most recently certificated from 2023 to 2028.
Known for his pioneering work in mental health and criminal justice reform, D’Emic is also presiding judge of the Brooklyn Mental Health Court, the first of its kind in New York state.
In this role, he has led a diversion program that steers adults with mental illness away from incarceration and into treatment, focusing on rehabilitation and public safety.
BRLA 2026-2027 officers and directors
The evening also included voting for officers and directors for 2026 through 2027.
The board of directors, through 2027, will be Shannon Colabrese, Matthew Ellias, Stephen Spinelli and Christopher Caputo. The board of directors, through 2028, will be Steve Chiaino, Charles Boulbol, Santorini Rivera and Christina Fratangelo.
Yolanda Guadagnoli, Esq., and Hon. Matthew D’Emic. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
The officers for 2026-27 are President Sarah Moore, Vice President Antonietta Monaco, Recording Secretary Maria Neri, Treasurer Dean Delianites and Corresponding Secretary Gianna Famulari.
The night’s CLE was also Yolanda Guadagnoli’s last as BRLA president. Guadagnoli spoke briefly about her tenure with the organization.
“I enjoyed every single minute of it,” she said. “We have gotten bigger and better every single year. This bar association is like a second family to me, and I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.”
The BRLA, formed in 1954, consists of attorneys from a range of practice areas, including criminal, civil, family and real estate law, as well as public and private sector practitioners.
The organization, which currently boasts approximately 150 members, focuses on fostering collegiality, professional development and ethical practice within the local bar. Guadagnoli noted that membership continues to grow yearly.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
