Surrogate Gigante gives CLE at Bay Ridge Lawyers Association meeting

June 8, 2017 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

President Stephen A. Spinelli (right) and the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association hosted Surrogate Court Judge Robert J. Gigante during their monthly CLE meeting last Wednesday. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association (BRLA) hosted Hon. Robert J. Gigante, Richmond County Surrogate, and three other attorneys for a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) lecture on 17-A Guardianships during its monthly meeting at The Pearl Room last Wednesday.

Surrogate Gigante was joined by colleagues Laura Lopez Keegan, Kevin M. Elford, Chief Clerk Ronald M. Cerrachio and Anthony J. Pocchia as each person had an opportunity to lecture on the specifics of the guardianship procedures.

“The judge is a former Dongan Hills attorney and an active community leader serving as a volunteer in many organizations benefitting Staten Island’s youth and underprivileged,” said Dominic Famulari. “One of the things about the judge’s resume is his steadfast community service and his interest in helping young people. He’s a former state Supreme Court judge for the second district and is a frequent lecturer so we are thrilled to have him speak for us.”

Gigante gave a brief introduction to the crowd on 17-A Guardianships and the recent developments. He then introduced the group of attorneys, who went into greater specifics.

“Tonight rather than listen to me I thought it would be more important for you to listen to the people who deal with the nuts and bolts of these cases every day,” Gigante said.

The crowd on Wednesday was one of the largest of the year which struck BRLA President Stephen Spinelli as extraordinary since it was up against a competing event that many members attended.

“The Bay Ridge Lawyers and I have gotten tremendous support this year,” Spinelli said. “I can’t believe my year as president is finally over. All of these months passed by so quickly. I look around this room and the support we’ve gotten this year has been tremendous. I can’t help, but think that The Pearl Room, who has been very good to us, has been a part of that because we’ve had record attendance.”

The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association will honor President Spinelli at its annual gala on June 16 at The Vanderbilt in Staten Island.