By Sophia A. Niarchos
OYSTER BAY, N.Y. — Judge Peter Skelos (ret.) lit the proverbial fire under Hellenic Lawyers Association (HLA) Treasurer John Zervopoulos, encouraging him to bring together Long Island attorneys and others in related professions after a nearly two-year lapse in socializing.
“He said he would and kept his word as you can expect from anyone with integrity”, Judge Skelos noted, speaking at the event Zervopoulos brought to fruition.
The retired judge highlighted the importance, not only of this gathering but also of the existence of such an association.
“It is important that Greeks be recognized as prominent members of the community”, he said, adding that the HLA supported him on his successful runs for judicial seats on the New York State District and Supreme Courts as it did current State Supreme Court Judge Helen Voutsinas, who has held many high-profile judicial positions in Nassau County.
Judge Skelos, who continues to work in private practice at Forchelli, Deegan, and Terrana, LLP, also noted the importance of those who have succeeded in their legal careers to mentor law students, a mission that HLA has embraced not only with one-on-one guidance but also through continuing education events covering a wide variety of legal topics.
“Because we couldn’t have in-person events for mentoring students during the most restrictive period of the pandemic, we did private mentoring on Zoom, discussing how to get a job without an interview with students who were desperate for assistance. Now we want to introduce them to opportunities and to each other”, HLA President Michael Tiliakos noted.
He is especially mindful and proud of the generations of Greeks before his that worked hard despite not being educated and valued higher education for their children; and he added that he would like to see the organization expand its mentorship program to undergraduate students considering legal careers and continue its charitable work in the community, which has included scholarship sponsorship for law school students by such members’ law firms as Zervopoulos’ Salenger, Sack, Kimmel, and Bavaro, LLP and HLA Advisory Board member Nicholas Papain’s Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath, Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C., as well as material support for food banks and shelters.
HLA member Chris Economou, a personal injury attorney and HLA member for nearly a decade whose daughters, Paulina and Magdalene, practice insurance and security law, respectively, expressed his appreciation for the HLA’s knowledge-sharing and his admiration of the “excellent executive board” especially for their putting events together post-COVID.
