Klass said he believes Antonelli possesses the tenacity, determination, perseverance and grit to spearhead the Brooklyn Bar Association into the next great chapter. 

Bonina, who has worked with Antonelli on a number of committees at the BBA, said he is extraordinarily dedicated and has an unbelievable work ethic.

“Dan consistently impressed me,” Bonina said. “He was willing to take on any task, anything that was asked of him, if it was going to improve the Brooklyn Bar Association.”

Transition and growth  

Antonelli, who was greeted with a standing ovation as he approached the podium, opened with a video presentation he narrated. According to the presentation, Antonelli knew very early in his career that law would be more than just a profession for him. 

“I always thought law would be very buttoned up,” Antonelli said in the video. “But in Brooklyn, it’s much more of a family.” 

Antonelli said this coming year will be about transition and growth.

“We must navigate this transition with confidence not only that we’ll be successful but that even through our failures — and there will be failures — we will persevere,” Antonelli said. “Once we complete this transition, we then grow in new ways, incorporating new ideas, new business models, new technology, and new and better ways to accomplish our core goals.”

Antonelli also lauded BBA past President Gregory T. Cerchione, Esq., saying his commitment to the association and its legacy is unmatched.

Antonelli recalled an interaction he had with Cerchione in 2023. “I was at Joseph Rosato’s induction as president of our association, and Greg began inspecting me. He bellowed, ‘What the hell is this? No tie? You look good. You’re wearing a nice suit, but there is no way I’m letting you into that ceremonial courtroom looking like this.’”

Cerchione ultimately got him the aforementioned tie, which happened to be the same tie Antonelli was wearing that evening. 

“This is not a story about a veteran berating a novice,” Antonelli said. “This is a story about leadership and legacy. It’s a story about learning and tradition. You see, a tie is not just a tie; it’s part of a uniform symbolizing that we’re all playing a role in something far greater than ourselves. You didn’t think a tie could mean so much, did you?”