Westchester Community College Paralegal
Program Faculty
Hon. John P. DiBlasi
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Justice of the Supreme Court 1995-Present
Elected to a 14-year term commencing in 1995. Currently assigned to
Westchester County, having also sat in New York, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess
counties. Created the Commercial Division in Westchester County, created the
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program for Commercial cases, and have
presided over a Trial Term, the Trial Assignment Part Motion Part, and the
Matrimonial Part. Currently presiding over matters involving massive toxic
torts, medical and legal malpractice.
Judge of the City of Mount Vernon,
1990-1994
Elected to a 10-year term in 1990. Presided over a Criminal calendar
including jury and non-jury trials, felony hearings, suppression hearings,
arraignments, bail applications, plea negotiations, and motions. Presided
over a Civil part involving both Commercial and Residential Landlord-Tenant
proceedings, Violations of City Codes and Ordinances, and Small Claims.
U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate
General's Corps, 1990-1998
Assigned to the 4th JAG Detachment, Bronx, N.Y. 1990-1995. Performed legal
assistance for military personnel and their dependents while assigned to
Fort Clayton, Republic of Panama (3 Active Duty Tours), Fort Dix, New
Jersey, and West Point, New York. Also served as trial counsel and defense
counsel as assigned to Involuntary Separation Boards. Honorably Discharged
in 1998.
Adjunct Professor of Law, Pace University
School of Law, 1998-1995
Taught advanced courses and gave seminars in Trial Advocacy. Created and
administered the Intra-School Trial Competition, and served as Faculty
Adviser to the Trial Competition Teams. Taught criminal procedure.
Adjunct Faculty Member, St. John's
University School of Law, 1994-1996
Taught clinical sections in Trial Advocacy.
Instructor, New York State Judges School,
2000
Taught course in the negotiation and settlement of catastrophic tort
actions.
Instructor, New York State Trial Lawyers,
2000
Taught courses in trial practice and motion practice.
Adjunct Professor, Westchester Community
College, 2001-Present
Teach courses in Medical Malpractice, Torts and Investigations in the legal
studies/paralegal certification program.
Pizzitola & Diblasi, P.C., 1982-1990.
Primary responsibilities involved the trial of Civil actions throughout the
City of New York involving general liability, products liability, contracts,
labor law, and intentional torts, as outside counsel to the insurance
industry. Both the firm and I were "AV" rated.
Member, Westchester County Public
Employment Relations Board, 1988-1990
Made legal and factual findings after hearings concerning the certification
and de-certification of collective bargaining representatives. Supervised
the electoral process for same.
Examining Attorney, New York City
Department of Investigation, 1980-1982
Supervised New York City Police Detectives, and worked in conjunction with
Federal Agents, in the investigation of Official Corruption and White Collar
Crimes which resulted in arrests, indictments and convictions in both State
and Federal Courts.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND
HONORS
- Pace University School of Law, "Adjunct
Professor of the Year Award" and the "Award for Service to the Legal
Community and the Law School," 1995.
- Elected fellow of the American Bar
Foundation by the national board, 1994.
- New York State Bar Association, award for
"Outstanding Volunteer Service in the Field of Law Related Education,"
1990.
PUBLICATIONS
Thorough Trial Preparation Is Vital for
Courtroom Success, New York State Bar Journal, JUNE 2002.
The Use of Depositions at Trial, New
York State Bar Journal, October 2001. Also published in Deposition Practice
and Practicalities in State and Federal Court, by the Commercial and Federal
Litigation Section and Committee on Continuing Legal Education of the New
York State Bar Association, 2002.
Amending the Domestic Relations Law
Enforcement Provisions: a Modest Proposal to Avoid Chaos in the Courts,
Domestic Law Review, Family Law Section, Westchester Bar Association,
December 1996.
The Felony Hearing Process-Taking a Second
Look, New York State Bar Journal, September 1995, co-authored with Barry
J. Skwiersky, Esq.
Preparing Your Witness for Trial, New
York State Bar Journal, December 1993.
PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS
New York State, 1981
U.S.
District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, 1981
State of Colorado, 1989
EDUCATION
St. John's University School of Law,
JD, 1980.
Syracuse University, AB, 1977
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