The Honorable Anthony Falanga, a former Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, became a partner of Jaspan Schlesinger LLP, a premier, full-service Long Island law firm, effective January 3, 2012. Justice Falanga has joined the firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice.
Justice Falanga brings to Jaspan Schlesinger extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Justice Falanga joined the State Supreme Court bench in 2000, when he was inducted by college classmate United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He has also served as a Supervising Judge of the Nassau County District County Court (2004-2005) and as a Judge in the Nassau County District Court, 10th district (1995-1999). During his tenure in District Court, Justice Falanga participated in the formation of Nassau County’s first community court and served as its first presiding Judge.
A graduate of Georgetown University and the Georgetown Law Center, Justice Falanga began his legal career in 1963 after several years as a Federal Narcotics Agent with the U.S. Treasury Department in New York City. Prior to his public service as a jurist, Justice Falanga was active in private practice in Nassau County for over three decades, where he handled both civil and criminal matters in State and Federal Courts.
Justice Falanga currently serves as a Board member of the Nassau Lawyers Association of Long Island, Inc., as well as the Columbian Lawyers Association of Nassau County. He has also maintained long time active membership in the Nassau County Bar Association, the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County, the East Meadow Kiwanis and the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his continued involvement with the Nassau County Bar Association, High School lecturing, Mock Trial competition and student mentoring programs, Justice Falanga was a member of the Hofstra Law School adjunct faculty, teaching Trial Advocacy from 1987 to 2005.
He has received numerous awards from civic, professional and fraternal organizations including the Fidelis Juris Award from the Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County and the Norman F. Lent Award of the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County, and has been recognized for distinguished service by the Nassau Lawyers’ Association of Long Island, among others. Deeply involved in his community, Justice Falanga’s many honors also include distinction as Man of the Year by the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce.
“Justice Anthony Falanga is a distinguished jurist who will bring extensive experience to Jaspan Schlesinger as well as tremendous enthusiasm that will further strengthen our Matrimonial & Family Law Practice. We welcome him to the firm,” said managing partner Steven R. Schlesinger.