ACBA Distinguished Service Award Spotlight – Adrieannette Ciccone
We are honored to give our annual Distinguished Service Award for New Lawyer to Adrieannette Ciccone, Law Office of Adrieannette Ciccone
Join us for our Virtual Installation and Distinguished Service Awards Night to help welcome our new board of directors and Distinguished Service Awards recipients on January 21, 2021 from 5PM – 8PM. RSVP or learn more here
Adrieannette Ciccone knew she wanted to be a lawyer when she was a young child. As time progressed, she realized that much societal injustice was the result of socioeconomic inequality. After earning a joint MA in Urban Planning and Latin American Studies, Adrieannette embarked on her legal career. She is now working to defend the legal rights of those faced with debt collection lawsuits, and doing land use law to help reshape the urban landscape to be more equitable.
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
I knew at a young age. I would say between first and second grade. I knew that lawyers were smart, helped people, and were compensated well for their hard work. Therefore, I was attracted to the profession.
If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you be doing instead?
I would have continued on as an Urban Planner. I would also be cooking non-stop. I already cook a lot and call myself the Chefsquire when cooking. I reckon I would have to come up with a new chef name had I not become an attorney.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were first admitted to practice?
The value of internships, networking, and most importantly knowing how to be an attorney comes from practice, not from always practicing in your preferred practice area.
What is the biggest challenge facing you as a lawyer today?
Separating my duty to my clients from my duty as an attorney to be a social engineer and work for social equity and change.
What is your favorite part of being a lawyer?
Advocating for people. Helping people realize their dreams or helping people who have been wronged.
What is your dream vacation?
As we are in COVID quarantine, my mind often drifts to a luxury all inclusive resort in a warm climate with a spa that has impeccable massages.
What are you reading now?
The New Jim Crow and Chokehold. I also read the Bible daily. My challenge this year was to get through the Bible in one year and I am almost there!
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
That I speak Spanish, Portuguese and am conversational in Italian. Also, that I have a love affair with Family Guy and the Big Bang Theory. I can’t get enough of those goofy shows!
What person, living or dead, real or fictional, would you like to have dinner with?
Can I pick more than one person? I would love to eat dinner with my deceased grandparents, great grandparents and Jesus. I would love to know how they survived de facto segregation, immigration, and how they survived in this world.
Why do you choose to be a member of the ACBA? What is the greatest benefit you have enjoyed as a member?
I had no choice in the matter! The day I was sworn into the bar, Hadassah stopped my mother and told her I needed to join ACBA. Since then, it has been a match in heaven. I was working for the Public Health Department when I was sworn in. The office was located in the same building ACBA was located in. I would often visit ACBA for MCLE’s, and to pick Hadassah’s brain on which attorney’s would be great mentors for me. The greatest benefit is really the connection and relationship ACBA has provided for me. Any question I have, any program I have wanted to do, ACBA was able to make it happen. I appreciate Hadassah and Tiela’s leadership and willingness to want to serve their members.
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