Brooklyn Bar installs Arthur Aidala as its 100th president

June 19, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Geraldo Rivera and Arthur Aidala. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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A crowd filled with some of the most respected judges, lawyers and TV personalities packed into the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge for the induction of the Brooklyn Bar Association’s newest president, Arthur Aidala, as well as its new officers and trustees Wednesday night.

Aidala, a Brooklyn-based attorney and Fox News personality, was sworn in by Hon. Michael L. Pesce as the 100th president of the Bar Association. Also sworn in during the event were Aimee L. Richter as the first vice president, David M. Chidekel as the second vice president, Hon. Frank V. Carone as the secretary and Anthony J. Lamberti as the treasurer.

“See, mom? I told you I’d be president someday,” Aidala said after being sworn in. “This is beyond overwhelming.”

The installation was one of a kind as the Color Guard played “Luna Mezz’o Mare,” the song made famous by the wedding scene in the “Godfather.” Geraldo Rivera and Alan M. Dershowitz joined the stage to welcome Aidala, and his speech ended with the announcement that he had proposed to his business partner and Brooklyn Bar trustee Marianne E. Bertuna the night before.

Little did he know that Rivera nearly spoiled the announcement during his speech when he said, “This magnificent turnout, with the priests, the rabbis, the honored guests, all you need is catering from L&B and you and Marianne can get married right here.”

The list of people giving remarks during the event included not only Rivera and Dershowitz, but also state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Hon. Barry Kamins, Andrea E. Bonina and Rose Ann C. Branda.

“To work with him as a law partner, I’ve never seen a more positive, dynamic, positive thinking and compassionate attorney than Arthur Aidala,” Kamins said. “His energy is unlimited. The Brooklyn Bar Association is so fortunate to have the benefit of a leader with unlimited passion for the law. I’m really proud to call you my law partner.”

“From the day I met Arthur when we were little kids waiting for the bus on Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge, I knew he was destined for great things,” Bonina said. “Whatever it is, whether it’s at home with his son Luca, in the courtroom, on TV, in the boardroom at 123 Remsen St., Arthur Aidala is always 100 percent committed to doing the right thing.”

“He’s everything you want in a bar association president and more,” Branda said. “I want to wish Arthur a fantastic year. I know how much he’s going to enjoy this, but for the residents of Kings County and the entire legal profession — hold on, buckle up, because we’re going to have a fun ride.”

Aidala’s theme for his speech could be summed up with his phrase, “Good, better, best, never let it rest until the good gets better and the better gets best.”

He outlined the ways in which he hopes to improve the association over the next year including ideas to redo the boardroom at 123 Remsen St. as well as the association’s website. He also wants to get Fast Track passes for attorneys who work in the federal courthouse, and he wants to take measures to cut down on the court system’s backlog.

“I know we have the brainpower and the capacity to make changes that will make Brooklyn the shining star in the legal community amongst all five boroughs,” Aidala said.

For more photos from this event, visit BrooklynArchive.com