James C. Ricca is a partner and member of the real estate law group and co-chair of the banking law group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of banking and finance law, foreclosures, creditor’s rights, trusts and estates, corporate law, and real estate litigation. Mr. Ricca counsels individuals, small businesses, and institutional lenders and has significant experience representing private and institutional lenders on large commercial mortgage loan transactions. He has been awarded a “BV Distinguished Rating,” representing a very high rating for legal ability and ethics by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, based upon extensive confidential peer review surveys.

Mr. Ricca began his career as a Bronx Assistant District Attorney and later joined the general law practice of Ricca & Donnelly, where his father was a principal. At Ricca & Donnelly, Mr. Ricca carried forward the firm’s concentration in the practice of banking, real estate law, and trusts and estates. After ascending to Managing Partner, he merged Ricca & Donnelly with Forchelli, et al. in 2002.

Mr. Ricca has lectured and authored articles concerning foreclosures and banking law, and has given his time to various community groups, including lectures for first time homebuyers. Mr. Ricca has been recognized by the Neighborhood Housing Development Corporation for pro bono services and has served as a volunteer mentor with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Huntington Arts Council. Mr. Ricca is recognized by his peers for inclusion in the New York Metro Super Lawyers list, was selected as one of the Top Ten Legal Eagles for 2013 on Long Island by LI Pulse Magazine, named Executive of the Month in the New York Real Estate Journal, and has been honored by the Long Island Business News as a Long Island Business Leader and with the Leadership of Law Award (2010 and 2014).

Mr. Ricca worked in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York as a Courtroom Deputy Clerk and Research Assistant for Judges Abraham Sofaer, Charles Haight, and Leonard Sand, while he attended Law School.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Banking & Finance
• Real Estate
• Tax, Trusts & Estates

EDUCATION

• St. John’s University School of Law, J.D., 1987
• Kenyon College, B.A., 1981
• University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, 1980

ADMISSIONS

• New York State Bar
• Federal District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• New York State Bar Association
• Nassau County Bar Association
• Queens County Bar Association (Former Chairman of the Banking Law Committee)
• Member, Community Bankers’ Mortgage Forum (CBMF)
• Counsel, Mortgage Bankers Association of New York (MBAofNY)
• Former Member of the Board of Trustees for the Board of Jamaica Hospital
• Former Member of the Board of Directors and Special Counsel to the Huntington Arts Council