August 10th, 2015 — Jeffrey D. Forchelli, Managing Partner and Founder of Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana, LLP (the Firm), announced that Judge Peter B. Skelos has joined the Firm as a Partner. Judge Skelos recently retired from the New York State judiciary after 20+ years of distinguished service. For the past 11 years, Judge Skelos served as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, one of the busiest appellate courts in the country.

“We are excited to welcome Judge Skelos to our Firm as a Partner. Judge Skelos is a seasoned litigation practitioner with an excellent reputation for integrity, intelligence and diligence, having served over 20 years on the bench. He will chair our appellate practice group and add significant depth to the Firm’s substantial litigation practice,” said Managing Partner and Founder Jeffrey D. Forchelli.

Judge Skelos was elected as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 10th Judicial District, in 1998, and in 2002, was appointed an Associate Justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court for the 9th and 10th Judicial Districts. In 2004, he was appointed by Governor Pataki as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, one of New York’s most prestigious courts. In 2012 Judge Skelos was found “Highly Qualified” by the New York State Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission. Previously, Judge Skelos was elected to the New York State District Court where he served from 1994-98. During his term of office he served as President of the Nassau County District Court Judges Association and as Vice President of the New York State District Court Judges Association.

Judge Skelos has been engaged in litigation and appellate practice his entire legal career. Prior to his service on the bench, he served as a Deputy Nassau County Attorney and engaged in the private practice of law.

Judge Skelos stated: “I am thrilled by the prospect of returning to the practice of law and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of one of Long Island’s premier law firms.”

Judge Skelos is a graduate of Emory University and Fordham University School of Law.

Judge Skelos is very active in professional and charitable endeavors. He is a career-long member of the Nassau County Bar Association and in 2015, the Bar Association presented him with the President’s Award for his leadership on behalf of the Lawyers Assistance Program. Judge Skelos was elected to its Board of Directors in 2015. He served three terms as the administrative chair of the We Care Fund Advisory Board of the Bar Association and continues to be an active member of its Advisory Board. Judge Skelos has received numerous awards and recognitions for his exemplary public and professional service from numerous other professional associations, including the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County, the Jewish Lawyers Association of Nassau County, the Fraternal Order of Court Officers, the Eastern Orthodox Lawyers Association, and the Long Beach Lawyers Association. In 2011 Judge Skelos was recognized by Fordham Law School’s Long Island Chapter at its Alumnus of the Year.

Judge Skelos is also active in legal academia. He was an editor of the practice guide, Trials in New York (West Group), and authored Chapter 7 – Evolution of the Labor Law: A View from the Bench, Construction Site Personal Injury Litigation, 2d ed. (New York State Bar Association Publications). He regularly serves as a panel member at Continuing Legal Education programs and was a member for many years of the adjunct faculty at LIU-Post.
Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana LLP

Founded in 1976, Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo, & Terrana LLP is one of Long Island’s most acclaimed and distinguished law firms. Headquartered in Uniondale, NY, the Firm is conveniently located for clients in Nassau and Suffolk. The Firm employs 60 attorneys who provide counsel to a broad range of clients, including national, regional and local businesses, major real estate developers and organizations, banks, insurance companies, municipalities, educational institutions, and individuals. Personal attention and quality representation that is both practical and cost-effective are hallmarks of the Firm’s policy towards clients.

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