ONEIDA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION sie 8 om % wc. BAR NEWS [RECEIVED] Vol 18, No. 05 Tlie Grow Danton, President SON VY iby 207 | cocxnoo0 & GoxoeN Frank J. Giruzzi, Esq. 2007 Hugh R. Jones Recipient President’s Column Law Day Speech - May 1, 2007 Before beginning my remarks, I would like to take a moment to recognize those officers and directors of the Oneida County Bar Association whose terms of office were completed at the end of 2006. For the benefit of the students in attendance today. practicing law in a close-knit community like Oneida County often involves becoming an active participant in organizations that enhance our profession as well as our neighborhoods. Service in the Bar Association can demand countless volunteer hours. Today we extend a formal thank you to the following individuals who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to the betterment of the Bar: past-president Bill Schmitt; former secretary Michael Bagge; and directors Donna Case, Larry Golden and Ricardo Mauro. Turning now to the events at hand, Law Day presents an opportunity for us to celebrate our constitutional form of government and our country’s tradition of abiding by the rule of law. Although not originally intended to be a celebration of lawyers, attorneys are nonetheless intertwined with Law Day due to the fact that we practice a profession dedicated to upholding the principles of law. I would like to hone in on the idea that lawyers are part of a profession ~a fact that I think is often lost in a world of “Heavy Hitters” and courtroom proceedings that become the focus of frenzied media attention. The idea that lawyers are little more than modern-day gladiators affects not only the public perception of attomeys, but also the perception attorneys have of themselves. For example, as part of my graduation from law school, our class participated in the larger university graduation exercises. Each graduate school was separately recognized during the program, and the tradition was for the students 0 throw into the air something that symbolized their anticipated careers. Medical students threw surgical gloves; business students tossed calculators: education students threw chalk; and law students - well, we threw inflatable sharks While humorous at the time, in the years that have passed, Thave come to conclude that the message ‘emanated by my class was a sorry one. Even though lawyers have a responsibility to be zealous advocates, this obligation can be fulfilled without resorting to viciousness and indignation. Prior to entering into private practice, I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of clerking for two area federal judges ~ Judge Cardamone of the Second Circuit and former Chief Judge Scullin of District Court, The one lesson that they each taught me and which resonated with me most soundly is the idea that lawyers can disagree about the law and its application to a set of facts, but they should not be disagreeable with each other. While such advice sounds intuitive, it can be easily forgotten in competitive climates. Fortunately, in Oneida County, we have many examples of attorneys who maintain the standard of civility and professionalism. One such individual is Frank Giruzzi, who is this year’s recipient of the Hugh R. Jones Award. This award is our Bar Association’s highest honor - bestowed upon an attomey who has not only achieved an exemplary career in the profession ofPage 2 law, but also positively impacted the community around him or her Mr. Giruzzi is a graduate of Hamilton College and Cornell University School of Law. His practice has been centered in Oneida County, where he has represented clients in real estate transactions, matrimonial cases, probate proceedings and estate planning sessions, among others. He currently practices with his two sons, Joe and Chris Mr. Giruzzi’s list of accomplishments is impressive, He has done it all - from soup to nuts - having served as chair of one of the earliest Law Day celebrations in Oneida County in 1960; having served as President of the Oneida County Bar Association in 1988; and having most recently co-chaired the Centennial Committee to mark the 100" anniversary of the Oneida County Bar Association that we celebrated last year. (As an aside, Mr. Giruzzi’s co- chair was Attorney Dick Parker. The Bar Association ‘owes both men and their committeea debt of gratitude for their hard work in brainstorming and implementing so many exceptional programs and activities.) Mr. Giruzzi has also translated his knowledge of the law into community service, He has volunteered his services to represent The Neighborhood Center for over 45 years, the Comell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County for over 25 years, and the New York State Baseball Umpires ‘Association. ‘A resume however, conveys only. part of who Mr. Giruzzi is. The way in which he practices law helps to explain why he is such a deserving recipient ofthe Hugh. Jones Award. He advances his clients’ interests while maintaining focus on the truth of the matter. He is even-handed with his clients, interested in heating their stories without rushing to judgment. He desires an understanding of the big picture so that he may discem what actions may have contributed to the conflict at hand. He advocates without manufacturing unnecessary fights with opposing counsel, In sum, he is an example of what an attorney should hope to be. Tam always impressed by how many things in life come full circle, When Mr. Giruzzi graduated from law school in 1959, one of his fellow classmates from Oneida County was an individual by the name of John Grow - who just happens to be my father and who is present here today. At that time, not only would these men never have thought to throw an May 2007 inflatable shark at their graduation, [ highly doubt either envisioned that almost 50 years later. the child of one would be fortunate enough to introduce the other in recognition of his outstanding career. Well - that ‘moment has arrived - and it is now my distinet honor to present Frank Giruzzi as the 2007 recipient of the Hugh R. Jones Award. Remarks from Frank J. Giruzzi: Thank you very much Julie and thank you to the Oneida County Bar Association and in particular to the Past President's Committee for this award. Thank you 10 the many judges who always take the time to he here and thank you fo the students and teachers who make this event ‘so worthwhile to me. To be mentioned in the same breath with the esteemed Hugh R. Jones is indeed an honor for which Lruly feel humbled. When Past President Auorney Bill Schmitt called! me, ke said he expected me to sty « few words, Frankly I didn't think that I had very much to say to a group of High School students that might interest them. Ever since 1959 fhave participated in Law Day finnctions and have always concluded that this community will be left in very good hands with all of the great young studems T have met over the years, Yer!!! T was abways left with some degree of uncertainty as to whether our festivities on Law Day’ had any lasting effect on the students. I know its always been inspirational for the lawyers amd the judges. For those of you who are contemplating a career in the law, Iam sure all of the activities in the Mock Trial competitions will prove invaluable. However, the vast majority of you will not hecome practicing attorneys. You will go on, fam sure, to other noble careers-be what they may. To that group particularly, offer vow the following thoughts: The law is not irrelevant to you. It is you who need to understand the dynamics of how our law works ina democratic society as much as those who will be trained as lawyers. It will be tempting for you in your busy lives to ignore the day to day and moment By moment of laws ‘on everything that you do. Consider for example the laws that regulate your schools, your teachers, and your degrees. Consider for example the laws that tell you when you can drive (and how fast), when you can vote, and when you can drink. Consider for example the laws that regulate the use of your cell phones and the copyright. Laws thatPage 3 regulate what you may or may not play on your IPODS. 1 am sure that you students can come up with numerous other examples from your own unique experiences. For now, let us say that you cannot escape the overwhelming effect ofthe law on your lives. Anymore than you can ignore the very air you breathe. In this day and age, even if you chose to retreat (0 a cottage on Waldon Pond as Thoreau did, pou would be governed by Environmental law, the Adirondack Park Agency Law, the Clean Air Act and on and on. Then what to do? The simple answer is to learn and participate. To participate is the one word that I would hope you take away from this day. With participation comes desired change and with ‘participation comes strength. Less than two years from now most of you will be eligible to vote in your first presidential election! Please study-participate and please make a difference. Lastly, please be well and please be strong. Thank you. Portrait Adoptions: We are pleased to announce that all of the Courthouse portraits have been adopted. A special thank you to Attorney Ricardo J. Mauro for all his time and effort arranging the adoptions ‘An additional thank you to Attorney's David Longeretta, William P. Schmitt, BartleJ. Gorman, and George F. Aney. House of Delegates: Erin Gall, Esq. and Margaret Murphy Peterson, Esq. have agreed to serve s our local delegates to the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates. Their time in representing our interests is much appreciated. ‘The position of alternate delegate remains open. Anyone interested in having his or her name considered should contact the Bar Association Office at 724-4901 Peter W. Antonowicz, “No Fees Unless We Win Your Case” 337-4008 1300 FLOYD AVENUE- ROME, Brenda J. Antonowicz, tezat assistant i May 2007 FREQUENTLY USED TELEPHONE #s District Attomey's Office Supreme Court Law Library 798-5766 798-5703 Public Defender's Office Supreme Court Clerk Criminal 798-5870, 798-5890 Public Defender’s Office County Court Clerk Civil 266-6100 798-5809 USS. Distriet Court Utica City Court Clerk 793-8151 724-8150 Fourth Department Rome City Court Clerk 716-530-3100 337-6440 OCA Attomey Registration Oneida County Clerk 212-428-2800 798-5776 Lawyers Assistance NYS Attorney General 800.255.0569 134 NYS Bar Association Oneida County Attorney iat wes Funiscoutcick Sonu Cout hk Bess a SENTRY saa ara Busnieds oe PRODUCTS eee ton 1-900-462-0401 FAX (716) 693-8738 E-mail: sentrybp@ aol.com Domestic Relation’s Committee Report All atiorneys who submit Judgments of Divorce, Findings of Fact and Domestic Relations Orders to Supreme Court Justice Bernadette T Romano for signature must first submit the proposed document to opposing counsel for_their_ signature indicating that they have approved the document on behalf of their client as to form and content, The actual document must be signed by opposing counsel. Only then is the document to be submitted to the Judge for signature. Further, attorneys are reminded to submit proposed documents to pro se litigants with a cover letter that they have 10 days to provide any objections to the Court and Counsel. Inaddition, Supreme Court Justice Anthony P. ‘Shaheen requires that all Qualified Domestic Relations Orders be submitted with the proposed judgement of divorce. Judge Romano prefers this same procedure relating to a QDRO be implemented when possible.