Scibetta passes torch to Guadagnoli at Columbian Lawyers annual gala

June 15, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

The Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn held its annual dinner on Friday, June 9 at El Caribe in Mill Basin where it honored outgoing president Salvatore Scibetta and incoming president Yolanda Guadagnoli. Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo.

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MILL BASIN – Over 250 members of Brooklyn’s esteemed legal community gathered at El Caribe in Mill Basin on Friday, June 9, for the glitzy annual dinner of the Columbian Lawyers Association.

The gala was a celebration of the past year’s achievements, a farewell to outgoing president Salvatore Scibetta, and a hearty welcome to the incoming president, Yolanda Guadagnoli.

Judge Carl Landicino, himself a past president of the Columbian Lawyers Association, swears in Yolanda Guadagnoli as the new president.

Yolanda Guadagnoli is the new president of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, which means it’s her job to greet the Mayor of New York City when he shows up to the event.

From left: Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Attorney General Letitia James, and Kings County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors Nancy Sunshine.

An evening of festivity and camaraderie was attended by a constellation of notable figures, including Mayor Eric Adams and Attorney General Letitia James. Not to mention the presence of over 50 distinguished judges from Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Mayor Adams set the tone for the evening, praising the group’s collegiate spirit and the integral role the association plays in the lifeblood of the city.

Salvatore Scibetta and his close friend Eric Adams.

“Brooklyn continues to be the anchor of the city and this bar association has been truly a part of the greatness of Brooklyn,” Adams said, before congratulating the night’s honorees.

The event also featured brief remarks by Gregory Cerchione and Steven Bamundo, culminating in the presentation of a mayoral proclamation by Hon. Frank Seddio, declaring June 9, 2023, as “Salvatore ‘Sal’ Scibetta Day.”

Hon. Frank Seddio (second from right) presents Salvatore Scibetta with a proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams declaring it Salvatore “Sal” Scibetta Day, Friday, June 9, 2023.

In an affectionate tribute, Seddio said, “There are about 10,000 words on this so I’m just going to paraphrase (the proclamation). Whereas Sal is a really nice guy, he did a great job this year as president, and he hangs out with the best of people, us. By the way, I forgot to mention that Sal holds one of the most important titles in the City of New York – vice chairman of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals. Whereas, Sal has two great kids and two great pairs of parents. Whereas, when all is said and done, we want to say to Sal, thanks for a job well done.”

The evening’s pinnacle was the swearing-in of new directors and officers by Joseph Rosato, the next president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, and Hon. Carl Landicino, a past president and judge of the Kings County Supreme Court. Guadagnoli was introduced by past president Christopher Caputo.

Joseph Rosato, incoming president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, helped Hon. Carl Landicino (not pictured) introduce the new officers and trustees after they were sworn in.

Being sworn in (from left): Gregory LaSpina (historian), Andrea Caruso (recording secretary), Raymond Mollica (corresponding secretary), Grace Borrino (third vice president), Mario Romano (second vice president), Mark Longo (treasurer) and John Dalli (first vice president).

New directors being sworn in (from left): Gianni Tribuzio, Charles Siegel, Margherita Racanelli, Gregory Lendino, Anthony Auciello, Dominick Dale, and Marisa Arrabito. Not pictured is Rosamaria DeFrancisco.

New officers taking the oath included Gregory LaSpina, Andrea Caruso, Raymond Mollica, Grace Borrino, Mario Romano, Mark Longo and John Dalli, alongside new directors Gianni Tribuzio, Charles Siegel, Margherita Racanelli, Gregory Lendino, Anthony Auciello, Dominick Dale, Marisa Arrabito and Rosamaria DeFrancisco.

The Columbian Lawyers Association, initially founded by Hon. Anthony Cutrona, remains a pivotal advocate for Italian Americans in the legal sphere. With regular monthly meetings featuring guest speakers for continuing legal education, the association continues to be a key driver of professional growth.

As Guadagnoli takes the helm, the Association looks forward to reconvening in September, ready to embrace new challenges and continue their mission of promoting justice.