A ‘bedrock’ of Brooklyn’s legal community: Lawrence Digiovanna remembered for his leadership and service
Larry DiGiovanna, who passed away on Oct. 9, 2024, was a beloved and active member of the Brooklyn legal community. Pictured here with longtime friend Anthony Genovesi at a past Volunteer Lawyers Project gala at the Brooklyn Museum, Larry’s dedication to pro bono work and community service was evident throughout his 47-year legal career. Brooklyn Eagle file photos by Robert Abruzzese
By Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor
October 15, 2024
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Lawrence “Larry” DiGiovanna, a highly respected figure in Brooklyn’s legal community and past president of both the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, passed away on Oct. 9, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Dr. Regina DiGiovanna, and his extended family.
DiGiovanna, a Bay Ridge native who graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School, C.W. Post University and Delaware Law School, was known for his unwavering dedication to his clients, his profession and his community throughout his 47-year legal career.
DiGiovanna served as president of the Brooklyn Bar Association from 2005 to 2006 and was recently honored with the organization’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award. He also received the prestigious Frieda Nisnewitz Award for his pro bono activities and was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession.
Larry DiGiovanna with Ray Ferrier at a Bay Ridge Lawyers Association event. Brooklyn Eagle file photos by Robert Abruzzese
In addition to his leadership roles, DiGiovanna chaired several key committees, including the Real Property Section.
Anthony Vaughn Jr., the current president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, explained the depth of DiGiovanna’s influence on the legal community.
“Past President Lawrence DiGiovanna was more than a leader — he was the foundation upon which so much of our community rested,” Vaughn said. “His presence was a constant, guiding the Brooklyn Bar Association with integrity and wisdom.
“His dedication to mentoring young attorneys and his belief in the power of bar association membership made him a true ambassador of our profession. His passing leaves a profound void, but his legacy will continue to shape the path forward for those who follow in his footsteps.”
Larry DiGiovanna with his fellow executive partners at Abrams Fensterman in Downtown Brooklyn, where he co-chaired the Cooperative and Condominium Practice Group. Brooklyn Eagle file photos by Robert Abruzzese
Mario Romano, president of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, expressed similar sentiments and discussed the unique role DiGiovanna played in his local legal community.
“Lawrence DiGiovanna, our Larry D, was a bedrock member of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association — someone whose leadership, counsel, and friendship were integral to everything we did,” said Romano. “He was honored last year with the Fellow Award and made an honorary director, a designation given to only a few in our 70-year history. His influence on our group cannot be overstated. And, on a more personal note, he was the best poker player I ever knew. His leadership and presence will be greatly missed by all of us.”
After 35 years running his own boutique law practice, DiGiovanna joined Abrams Fensterman in 2016 as co-chair of the firm’s Cooperative and Condominium Practice Group. In this role, he became a trusted advisor to boards of directors and managers of housing complexes, overseeing complex legal matters for both small developments and large high-rise projects.
Larry DiGiovanna with Dominick Napoletano, president of the NYSBA, at Larry’s recent retirement party, celebrating his decades of service to the legal community. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo
In addition to his professional accomplishments, DiGiovanna was deeply involved in community service, serving on the boards of Victory Memorial Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Augustana Nursing Home, and St. Vincent’s Services, a child care agency. In 2014, he played a key role in the merger that formed HeartShare St. Vincent’s, New York City’s largest foster care agency at the time.
DiGiovanna’s legacy of service extended beyond the courtroom, as he was recognized with numerous awards throughout his career. Among them were the St. Thomas More Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Brooklyn and the Distinguished Service Award from both the Brooklyn and Bay Ridge Lawyers Associations. He was also the recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s President’s Award for Pro Bono Service.
DiGiovanna’s contributions to the legal community and his dedication to public service will not be forgotten. His colleagues, friends and the many organizations he supported remember him as a leader who consistently demonstrated integrity, generosity and a deep commitment to justice.
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