By Chuck Otey

Two of the state’s top trial lawyers will be singled out for their service to the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project when the vital legal unit holds its 19th Gala Anniversary Reception June 17 at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Palm House.

Both barristers — Mark Longo and Greg Cerchione — also happen to be past BBA presidents and will be part of a star-studded program featuring Court of Appeals Judge Theodore Jones. Certain not to be lost in the evening’s agenda will be William Kuntz, whose booming eloquence will be utilized appropriately in the introductions.

In charge of the event is another BBA president and a leading volunteer attorney, Lawrence DiGiovanna.

Honoree Longo is a founding member of the VLP and is partnered in law with the eminent Rosario Marquis D’Apice on Court Street. In 2000, he received the BBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and has also been recognized by the New York State Bar Association for his pro bono service.

Greg Cerchione is the managing partner of Subin & Associates and is a long-time supporter of the VLP. He is a past president of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn (as is Mark) and has also headed the Brooklyn Catholic Lawyers Guild.

Further information on this significant event can be had by contacting Jeannie Costello at 718 624-5446 or by e-mail at VLPevent@empireevents group.com.

In The Matter Of The Richard Goldbergs

It has been my pleasure to know and admire the late Kings Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Goldberg and Barrister Richard S. Goldberg, who is a partner with the highly respected Steve Cohn in the Court Street firm which bears their names.

So it was with a certain degree of surprise — almost shock — when I looked at this column last week and saw that the photo of Justice Goldberg was published instead of the photo of lawyer Goldberg! (The column was reporting on the then-upcoming Gala of the Seneca Democratic Club on its 110th Anniversary. Barrister Goldberg, former head of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association, was in charge of arrangements for the affair, aiding partner Cohn the long-time Seneca leader. It was this Richard’s name and photograph that were to appear in that context.)

My Brooklyn Daily Eagle associates shared my chagrin and embarrassment and a correction was promptly published earlier this week containing the smiling visage of Richard S. Goldberg.

And, I’m pleased to report, what started out as a photo misidentification evolved into a bit of reminiscing about the days when both Richard Goldbergs shared the same floor on Court Street. Here is the unsurprising reply from Evan Goldberg, son of the late justice and a prominent trial lawyer:

“Dear Chuck: Although it warmed my heart to once again see my father’s photograph in your paper, Justice Richard A. Goldberg passed away in 2002. While he was always proud to appear in your publication, he’d insist that Richard S. Goldberg be given the attention he deserves. They often traded mail when my father practiced at 16 Court St., but it was never a problem unless the mail contained checks or good magazines. With humor, respect and best wishes to your staff, Evan Goldberg.�

It’s clear that Evan shares his dad’s good and gracious sense of humor as of course does our good-natured and witty colleague Richard S. Goldberg. “Our mail was always getting mixed up,� he recalled this week, ‘even after he went onto the bench. People actually thought I was with that firm.�

Even though we’re now in the Internet Age — when columnists cyber-ship their work, instead of hand-delivering it and proofing copy — we vow to keep our Goldbergs straight in the future. Especially in the matter of Richard S. who not only attended Boston University at the same time we did, but was a fellow graduate in the Brooklyn Law Class of 1967. In fact, we probably sat in the same room (in the old building) listening to the legendary Jerome Prince expatiate authoritatively on his sacred Rules of Evidence!

Kings Inn Panel Probes Professional Substance Problems

Appellate Division Justice Cheryl Chambers and Marc Dittenhoefer have received high and uniform praise for the probing panel program entitled “D.W.I. Diligence While Impaired?� which highlighted the recent meeting of the Kings County Nathan Sobel American Inn of Court.

“Their presentation dealt very realistically and effectively with the substance and alcohol problems which can cause problems for professionals,� said Justice Gerard Rosenberg, Inn Counselor. Immediate past president is Steve Finkelstein.

President of the Inn this year is Justice Neil Jon Firetog and other officers include President-elect Helene Blank, Treasurer Rosario Marquis D’Apice. Inn Masters are former Kings Administrative Justice Abraham Gerges, Justice Ellen Spodek, Harvey Weitz, Judge Barry Kamins and retired Appellate Division Justice Gabriel Krausman.

Among those who took part in the Continuing Legal Education-accredited program were Appellate Term Justice Marsha Steinhardt, a past president and a co-founder, Justice Martin Schneier, Justice Karen Rothenberg, Justice Gloria Cohen Aronin, J.H.O. Ira Harkavy, former Justice Edward Rappaport; Inn president emeritus Thomas Kilfoyle, Kings Supreme Chief Clerk; retired Justice Jules Spodek and barristers Lois Ottombrino, Carmen Pacheco, Don Savatta, Lisa Sokoloff, Scott Star, Alan Trachtman, Jordan Tucker, Anthony Vaughn, Victoria Wickman, Steve Goolnick, Steve Harkavy, MarcHeld, Susan Ianelli, Ned Kassman, Brian Kieran, Nita Kundamal, William Kuntz, Carl Landicino, Michael Lazarowitz, Adam Levien, Mark Longo, Jan Levien, Betty Lugo, Susan B. Master, Stacy Baden, Jon Besunder, Melissa Bonaldes, David Chidekel, Lawrence DiGiovanna, Andy Fallek, Michael Fishbein, Maria Gagasoules, Lara Genovesi, Evan Goldberg and Michael Good.

The Kings Inn, founded nine years ago, continues the tradition of the ancient English Inns of court where barristers and students of law would gather each day and evening to discuss the law in an air of collegiality. That’s one reason why Inn Administrator Marie Lattanzi arranged for a delicious buffet which was enjoyed by all those in attendance at the 360 Adams St. courtroom provided by Justice Schneier.

Administrator Lattanzi and Executive Director Jeff Feldman remind all members that reservations must be made in advance for the Annual Inn Dinner set for June 15 at the Water’s Edge in Queens.

PRO BONO BARRISTER is a weekly column dedicated to telling about the good that lawyers do. Send your comments or suggestions to this writer care of this newspaper or to COTEYESQ@aol.com. Questions? Comments? Sound off to the Editor

© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2009 All materials posted on BrooklynEagle.com are protected by United States copyright law. Just a reminder, though -- It’s not considered polite to paste the entire story on your blog. Most blogs post a summary or the first paragraph,( 40 words) then post a link to the rest of the story. That helps increase click-throughs for everyone, and minimizes copyright issues. So please keep posting, but not the entire article. arturc at att.net