Bertuna named president of Columbian Lawyers, 1st Judicial Department

January 8, 2016 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Marianne Bertuna, pictured with her fiancé Arthur Aidala, was recently named the president of the Columbian Lawyers Association, 1st Judicial Department, during a ceremony in Manhattan last month. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

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Brooklyn attorney Marianne Bertuna was officially sworn in as president of the Columbian Lawyers Association for the 1st Judicial Department in front of more than 200 friends, colleagues and judges during a ceremony at the Water Club in Manhattan on Dec. 21.

“It was such an honor to be named president of such a terrific organization, it really meant a lot to me,” Bertuna said. “It was such a wonderful event, too, with a great turnout. Everyone had a wonderful time. It was right before Christmas, so everyone was in the holiday spirit and there was a great band.”

Bertuna was sworn in by Hon. Joseph Giamboi in front of dozens of other judges, including Hon. John Barone, Hon. Joy Campanelli, Hon. Anthony Cannataro, Hon. Abena Darkeh, Hon. James d’Auguste, Hon. John DeChiaro, Hon. Patricia DiMango, Hon. George Grasso, Hon. Anita Florio, Hon. Anthony Fiorella, Hon. Nicholas Iacovetta, Hon. Barry Kamins, Hon. J.J. Kelly, Hon. John Perone, Hon. Michael Pesce and Hon. Frank Seddio.

Bertuna’s fiancé Arthur Aidala, president of the Brooklyn Bar Association; Roseann C. Branda, president of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn; Cheryl Fratello, president-elect of the Nassau Columbian Lawyers; Gregory Laspina, past president of the Confederation of Columbian Lawyers; and Joseph Sena, president of National Italian American Bar Association were also on hand for the event.

For Bertuna, being named president of the organization helped her in her first step of fulfilling a promise to the late Judge Anthony Cutrona.

“Back in 1999, when I went to my first Columbian Lawyers Association meeting, I made a promise to the beloved Judge Cutrona that I would be president someday,” Bertuna recalled. “He also made me promise that I would help to join all of the Columbian Lawyers Associations together and it’s something that I’m determined to do.”

The groups she intends to combine are the Columbian Lawyers Associations of Brooklyn, Westchester, Nassau, Queens, Rockland and Suffolk, in addition to her own Columbian Lawyers Association for the 1st Judicial Department. Bertuna noted that she already has support from the Columbian Lawyers of Brooklyn and its president, RoseAnn Branda.

Bertuna was also recently named to the Kings County Criminal Bar board of directors.

“Criminal defense is a significant part of my law practice,” Bertuna said. “I’ve been a member of that organization since I’ve been in law school, so it’s important for me to be in a position where I can collaborate with my colleagues. Now that I’m a board member, I want to help make the Criminal Court system in Brooklyn work for everyone.”