Founding Partner,
DiConza Law, PC
Building a Boutique Bankruptcy Law Firm
While having lunch in the St. John’s Law School cafeteria as a 1L,
Gerard DiConza ’94 noticed a flyer taped to the wall regarding a
bankruptcy lecture being presented by St. John’s Law alumni Albert
Togut ’74. The event sponsored by the American Bankruptcy
Institute (ABI) Law Review, resonated with DiConza because as
an accounting undergraduate student he was “good with numbers but
wanted to work with people”. A thank you note from DiConza to
Togut after the lecture helped maintain a professional dialogue
which ultimately resulted in a position years later.
As a result of the lecture, DiConza became more active in the
ABI Law Review. During the 1993–1994 academic year,
he served as Editor-in-Chief. This role forged a friendship
with former LL.M. Bankruptcy Director and retired faculty member
Professor Robert M. Zinman that remains strong to this day. A
proud member of “Zinman’s Army,” DiConza recognized early that his
legal career would focus on bankruptcy. With this
realization, he pursued and received a clerkship with the Honorable
Jeremiah E. Berk, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern
District of New York which followed an internship with Francis C.
Conrad, who was also a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the
Southern District of New York.
A frequent lecturer and author on bankruptcy issues, DiConza has
authored and co-authored numerous articles including; “Attorneys
Fees in Bankruptcy: the Use of the Lodestar”, 1 Am. Bankr. L.
Rev. 463 (1994); “Choice of Law: Which Law Applies In An
Action Against Directors/Management For Breach Of Fiduciary
Duties”, American Bankruptcy Institute, New York City Bankruptcy
Conference, May 14, 2001 (Co-Authored); “What Happens When Your
Tenant Files For Chapter 11, Practically Speaking”, published for
Nassau County Bar Association Seminar (2003). “When you are
building a boutique firm your reputation and expertise become
enhanced and defined through your publishing and speaking
engagements – you have to stay busy,” noted DiConza.
Since graduation, Mr. DiConza has maintained strong ties to
alma mater. A number of his closest friends attended
St. John’s Law. In addition to attending ABI functions such
as the Duberstein Mock Trial Dinner Gala, Mr. DiConza stays
connected to the Law School by attending NYC and Nassau County
alumni chapter events. Mr. DiConza explained, “These events
are more than just networking, these individuals are both
colleagues and friends. I golf and attend ballgames with
fellow alums – it’s about friendships forged at St. John’s
Law.” It should be noted that his wife, Maria Pantina DiConza
’97 is also a Law School graduate.
DiConza counsels current students to “look for opportunities to
grow your resume. Get involved during Law School. St.
John’s Law has a variety of journals and organizations that provide
insight into a myriad of legal disciplines. These journals
and organizations are a tremendous resource for today’s Law
Student. Attend symposia, keep an open mind and stay
connected to alma mater.”