Joseph J. Villano
Joseph J. Villano, Esq. began his professional career, in 1998, as a law clerk in one of the Capital District’s most industrious and prestigious litigation firms, Grasso, Rodriguez & Grasso. Being assigned to its senior partner, Nicholas J. Grasso, Esq., Joseph was exposed to a broad field of practice areas including personal injury, real estate transactions, matrimonial and family litigation, business guidance, acquisitions, and elder law.
While studying the practical aspects of the legal business on the job, Joseph completed his undergraduate work at Siena College and received his doctorate from Albany Law School, where he ranked in the top 5% of his class. He was licensed to practice law in January 2004, and within months he began regularly prosecuting jury trials in State Supreme Courts venued across Eastern New York. After twelve years as a clerk and trial attorney, Joseph left to establish Villano Law Firm, PLLC.
Villano Law Firm, PLLC opened its original Rotterdam location in January of 2010 guided by a simple concept; to provide superior representation in a personalized solo practitioner setting. Each legal matter entrusted to the firm, whether simple or complex, is the most pressing matter to that client. Clients need to feel that they are receiving prompt and individualized attention from a trusted advisor and advocate. By practicing in a broad range of legal fields, Joseph’s clients quickly develop a rapport with him, and are able to seek guidance and representation whenever a personal legal need may arise.
He also has experience serving as general counsel to many regional businesses in the logistics, insurance, hospitality, health care, not-for-profit, leasing and lending industries. Additionally, his experience includes 18 months of training staff and successfully establishing an entire internal mortgage closing department for a leading local lender. His passion for real estate led him to launch At Home Realty Sales of Schenectady, New York offering residential, commercial, and industrial brokerage services.
Outside of the legal profession, Joseph has been an elected Rotterdam Town Councilman, served on many campaigns and public committees, is a wedding officiant, and an avid world traveler.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Albany Law School, Albany, NY
Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, May 2003
§ GPA 3.68; Rank 12/235; Dean’s List – all eligible semesters
§ Member, Albany Law Review (2001)
§ Winner, Matrimonial Law Prize
§ Member, Justinian Honor Society
Siena College, Loudonville, NY
B.A. in Political Science, May 2000
§ Founder and President – Siena College Pre-Law Society 1999-2000
LICENSURE
· New York State – Admitted January 2004
· U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York – Admitted March 2004
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Graduation from law school, and passing the bar exam, do not end an attorney’s education. Attorneys in New York are required to supplement their pre-licensure studies with regular continuing education coursework.
Classes taken by Joseph J. Villano, Esq. include:
· Ultimate Update for Family Law Attorneys
· The Ins and Outs of Buying and Selling Residential Real Estate
· Basic Estate Planning & Administration
· Family Court Practice: Custody, Child Protective Proceedings and Ethics
· Attorney Trust Accounts – What Every Attorney Needs to Know
· The Examination before Trial – A Primer on Depositions in Tort and Personal Injury Cases
· Schenectady County Bar Association Family Law Seminar
· Family & Matrimonial Law: Advanced Child Support
· Criminal Law DWI: What You Need to Know
· Liens and Settlements in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Practice
· The Examination Before Trial – Honing Your Skills
· Practical Skills – Family Court Procedure
· Basic Tort and Insurance Law Practice
· Matrimonial Law: New Legislation, Counsel Fees, and Relocation
· Summary Jury Procedures
· Secrets of Successful Lawyers – Professional Behavior
· Exemptions from Judgment Executions in New York
· Medical Malpractice 2012
· Basics of Bankruptcy Practice 2013
· Introduction to Estate Planning
· Ethics for Business & Transactional Lawyers
· Purchase & Sales of Homes
· CPLR Update 2013
· Matrimonial Trial Institute: Trial Techniques & Strategies
· Risk Management 360
· Basics of Bankruptcy Practice
· Facial Sufficiency of Criminal Charges
· Newly Elected Town Officials School
· Contract Negotiations: Dissection of a Real Estate Contract
· Surrogate Court Procedures
· Introduction to Real Estate Closings
· Criminal Law Symposium 2016
· Family Court Trial Institute: Orders of Protection
· Risk Management 360
· The Changing Landscape of the Legal Profession
· Supreme Court Practice
· Perspectives on Tax Cuts & Jobs Act 2018
· Cannabis Law in NYS and the US
· Buying or Selling a Small Business
· Representing a Client in a NYS Liquor License Application
OTHER LICENSES, MEMBERSHIPS & SKILLS
§ Member, NYS Bar Association
§ Member, Schenectady County Bar Association
§ Member, NYS Association of Realtors
§ Member, National Association of Realtors
§ Member, Greater Capital Association of Realtors
§ Notary Public – Qualified in Schenectady County, New York
§ Member – Schenectady County Republican Committee (T/O Rotterdam – ED 2)
§ Wedding Officiant
AFFILIATIONS
Brokerage Services Available through affiliate At Home Realty Sales.