Justice Joseph A. Suozzi was born in Potenza, Italy. His father served in the U.S. Infantry and became a naturalized citizen, and in 1925, Joseph Suozzi and his mother immigrated to the United States. Suozzi was educated at parochial schools in Glen Cove and Oyster Bay, and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in education from Fordham University in 1943 and to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1948. He was admitted to the bar that year and practiced law in a partnership with Luke A. Mercadante, Mayor of Glen Cove, Long Island.
In December 1949, at the age of 28, Suozzi became a City Judge for Glen Cove, the youngest person to hold the office at the time. He was re-elected in 1953, but resigned two years later to run for Mayor of Glen Cove and Supervisor of Nassau County. Suozzi served as Mayor until 1960, when he won election as a Justice of the Supreme Court. He was re-elected 14 years later. In 1976, he was designated to the Appellate Division, Second Department by Governor Hugh Carey. He retired in 1980 and joined the Long Island firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. as a senior partner. He also works in alternative dispute resolution at National Arbitration and Mediation.
Suozzi is a member of the American, New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations and has served as an Honorary Trustee of North Shore University Hospital since 1990. Additionally, he served in the Air Force during World War II, assigned to the B-24 bombing crew of the 15th Air Force based in Italy and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three clusters.
Sources
“Carey Names 3 Justices to Appellate Division.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 35. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Oct 19 1976. Web. 16 July 2012.
“Hearing Officer Resume: Hon. Joseph A. Suozzi (Ret.).” National Arbitration and Mediation. Web. 16 July 2012. http://www.namadr.com/documents/ho_resumes/NAMResume-Suozzi_Joseph.pdf.
“Honorable Joseph A. Suozzi.” Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., 2012. Web. 16 July 2012. http://www.msek.com/profiles/municipal-law-land-use-real-estate-lawyers/joseph-a-suozzi.php.
“Takes a Seat on the Bench at 28.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 19. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Dec 29 1949. Web. 16 July 2012.