The Peter W. Rodino Jr. Society at the Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey, held its annual banquet to honor legal professionals and community trailblazers. The Society’s mission is to uphold the legacy of the late New Jersey Congressman by promoting and supporting the endeavors of attorneys and judges, while celebrating Italian American heritage. This year, the Rodino Society presented the Humanitarian Achievement Award to Joseph A. DeFuria, Esq.
Mr. DeFuria was born and raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware in 1990 and his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1993. His legal practice is dedicated to individuals who have sustained serious injuries due to the negligence of others. He became certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in 2010.
He is a partner in Gaccione Pomaco in Belleville and serves as the Tax Commissioner for the Essex County Board of Taxation. He previously served as the Municipal Judge for the Borough of Caldwell and the Township of West Caldwell and served on the Essex County District Ethics Committee for eight years.
Twelve years ago, Mr. DeFuria and his family founded an annual toy-drive to benefit Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital in New York City, in honor of his son Matthew, who underwent three open heart surgeries at the hospital.
The Humanitarian Achievement Award was presented by his son, John DeFuria, President of the Peter W. Rodino Society.
