Columbian Lawyers Staten Island CLE addresses Modernization

From left: Hon. Catherine DiDomenico, Hon. Raymond Rodriguez, Hon. Vincent Del Giudice and guest. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

STATEN ISLAND — The Columbian Lawyers Association (CLA) of Brooklyn presented its annual Staten Island Continuing Legal Education seminar, this year on the topic of “Updates and Modernizations of Richmond County Court.”

The event took place the evening of Jan. 13, at Nino’s Restaurant at 1110 Hyland Blvd., before a relatively packed house.

From left: Bill Neri, Esq.; Maria Neri, Esq.; and Hon. Alexis Riley. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

Raymond Rodriguez, administrative judge of Richmond County Supreme Court’s 13th Judicial District, discussed recent technical advances.

Hon. Frank Seddio, left, alongside Hon. Brian Gottlieb. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

The improvements, which are for 12 “Digital Jury Trial Courtrooms” on Staten Island, include virtual testimonies and interpreters, annotation tools for witnesses to mark evidence for real-time viewing and improved audio.

Hon. Frank Seddio and Yolanda Guadagnoli, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

So far, only Courtroom 410 at the Richmond County Supreme Court in St. George has been completed and unveiled at a ribbon-cutting this past September.

Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon, left, alongside Hon. John Ingram. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

Plans for similar improvements in additional courtrooms are coming throughout 2026, according to Rodriguez.

Chris Caputo, Esq., left, Hon. Thomas Aliotta, right, and guest. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

The project secured funding through a partnership between local officials, including Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. The New York State Unified Court System also pitched in.

From left: Annette Scaranno, Esq., Hon. Wayne Ozzi, Hon. Matthew Santamauro and Joe Romagnolo, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo
Delivering efficient and expeditious justice

Rodriguez is a member of the Court Modernization Action Committee, a group of justice system associates working to update and improve court operations. He had an epiphany last year to modernize every courtroom in the Supreme Court.

From left: Steven Bamundo, Esq.; Bart Russo, Esq.; and Dino Mastropietro, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

He told the Brooklyn Eagle that one of his missions was to create a 21st-century, state-of-the-art courtroom.

Hon. William Mastro, left, alongside Hon. Matthew Santamauro. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“If you have something on a pen drive or on your laptop, you don’t have to bring anything else in,” Rodriguez explained. “We need to use all these tools to help deliver efficient, expeditious justice — but, of course, in a responsible way.”

From left: Mario Romano, Esq.; Yolanda Guadagnoli, Esq.; Vito Cannavo, Esq.; and Gail Goode, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo
The impact of Brooklyn

Rodriguez’s judicial career began in 2013, when former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him to the New York Civil Court.

Mario Romano, Esq., left, alongside Dominic Famulari, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

In 2014, he received a seat on the Criminal Court of the City of New York, a role to which he has been continuously reappointed. In 2019, Rodriguez was elevated to acting justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

Mario Romano, Esq., left, presenting a CLE “Certificate of Attendance” to Hon. Raymond Rodriguez. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

Before ascending to the bench, Rodriguez practiced law independently for a decade, specializing in both civil and criminal litigation.

An alumnus of Widener University School of Law, he earned his Juris Doctor with honors, graduating Cum Laude.

The Columbian Lawyers’ most recent CLE at Nino’s Restaurant on Staten Island was well attended. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

Despite being a lifelong resident of Staten Island and having a family that goes back generations there, Rodriguez said Brooklyn shaped him. Most of his judicial career was spent in Kings County.

From left: Linda Lo Cascio, Esq.; Bruno Codispoti, Esq.; and Hon. Joy Campanelli. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“Without Brooklyn, I don’t think I would be in the place that I’m in now,” Rodriguez emphasized.

Columbian Lawyers: 60 years and going strong

The CLA of Brooklyn is more than a club for Italian American lawyers and judges to meet and share professional opinions.

Founded in 1966 by Hon. Frank J. Pino, the former presiding justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, the organization is at its core a family.

Steven Bamundo, Esq., left, alongside Gregory Cerchione, Esq. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

In the 60 years since its inception, the CLA of Brooklyn, which boasts over 300 members, has become one of the most active, highly respected and influential bar associations in New York State.