Columbian Lawyers celebrate Italian Heritage and Culture Month at Manhattan club

October 18, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

The Columbian Lawyers Association celebrated Italian Heritage and Culture Month on Thursday night with a dinner at Tiro A Segno Dinner Club in Manhattan where they enjoyed food and music. Pictured from left: Immediate past President Joseph Rosato, President Susanne Gennusa and Chair of the Executive Committee Steven Bamundo. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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The Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn held its annual Italian Heritage and Culture Month and Columbus Day Celebration at Tiro A Segno Dinner Club in Manhattan on Tuesday night.

The annual event is one of the least formal events in the Brooklyn legal community as there are no speeches and awards given out. Instead it’s just members of the Columbian Lawyers plus a few friends and family.

“This is my most fun event because I don’t have to say anything,” said President Susanne Gennusa. “There are no speeches; it’s literally just fun.”

From left: Hon. Genine Edwards, Gregory Cerchione and Hon. Lizette Colon.

Of course, at any Italian-American event like this, there is plenty of food. The crowd was served a five-course meal while classic Italian music was played. Throughout the evening, it isn’t uncommon for groups of attorneys and judges to sing along to their favorite tunes.

“This is a celebration of our Italian heritage,” Gennusa said. “The mission of this association is all about promoting Italian culture, so we do this every year and it’s a very important event for us.”

The venue is part of the fun as the dinner club features a subterranean gun range where people in attendance can practice their skills firing rifles in a 25-yard, slow-fire pistol range.

From left: Kristen Borruso, Lucy DiSalvo, Dawn Sajecki and Betsey Jean-Jacques.

The event is meant as a way to promote collegiality amongst its members, whether they work together or as adversaries in the courtroom.

“I do think it helps us respect and appreciate each other,” Gennusa said. “We have monthly meetings, but the focus of those is on continuing legal education. This gives us an opportunity to get to know one another on a more personal level. I think we’re able to work together more easily because we respect each other, our profession and our personal expertise.”