ROSELAND, N.J./October 18, 2007 -- Richard J. Badolato has won the “2007 Outstanding Achievement Award” from the Peter W. Rodino Law Society of Seton Hall Law School.
Mr. Badolato was presented with the award at the society’s annual banquet on October 17, 2007 at the Newark Center. The honoree graduated from Rutgers Law School in 1965. Upon graduation, Mr. Badolato clerked for the Honorable James R. Giuliano, the then Assignment Judge of Essex County. He worked for another firm prior to joining Connell Foley as partner in 1982.
During his forty-one years of private practice, Mr. Badolato developed an expertise in civil trial litigation. He has tried more than 300 litigated civil matters to conclusion and has also handled more than 30 appeals. His experience on the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts has included: medical, legal, and dental malpractice; product liability; all forms of general liability; construction litigation; automobile litigation; insurance coverage and policy interpretation; subrogation recovery; fire and theft losses; and declaratory judgment proceedings.
Mr. Badolato has managed and administered two bar associations of 3,500 and 18,000 members as President, an Ethics Committee as Chairman, and a law firm as managing partner. He has also managed and has been lead counsel in the largest piece of civil litigation in U.S. history.
Founded almost thirty years ago, the Rodino Law Society has a long-established tradition of supporting the local community. Every year, members of the society work with disadvantaged children in the homeless shelters of Newark, hosting craft days and other special events. Compassion, honor, and wisdom are three words that exemplify what Congressman Peter W. Rodino, Jr. represented and three things that the society that bears his name looks for in honoring its award recipients each year.
Congressman Rodino was known for his sponsorship of legislation that made Columbus Day a national holiday and for acting as the “fair moderator” of the partisan impeachment hearings of President Nixon. He was respected by people in the local, regional, and national communities and his legacy will endure forever.