Family Tragedy Inspired Trial Lawyers Section Chair Angélicque Moreno To Lead a Life of Advocacy
7.9.2024
A tragedy that struck Angélicque Moreno’s family when she was young inspired her to become an attorney and an advocate for those who are harmed due to someone else’s negligence.
Her cousin was injured during childbirth because of medical malpractice and subsequently suffered from cerebral palsy. Her firsthand view of the emotional and financial impact that injuries have on a victim and their family unsurprisingly resonates with her today.
The experience also reinforced in her the significance of collaboration and team building, which she is focusing on throughout her term as chair of the Trial Lawyers Section.
“My cousin’s condition impacted our entire family. Everyone in my family had to help my cousin and my aunt and uncle. That motivated me and gave me a great appreciation for teamwork because it really does take a village to deal with something of such magnitude.” Moreno said.
Moreno is aiming to attract more lawyers to the bar association. She said her goal is to engage new and young members, especially women, by providing content that will be interesting and exciting to them. In fact, the section has programming scheduled for every month throughout the rest of the year with events being held at downstate and upstate locations.
“I am encouraging young attorneys to become involved in the bar association and by that, I mean to be actively involved. It is the best way to develop deep relationships and friendships, which are going to help you grow going forward.”
An opportunity to connect with other members occurs Oct. 9 when the Trial Lawyers Section hosts the Fifth Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award and CLE Program.
The complimentary program coincides with the observance of National Diversity Day and will honor an attorney who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts in addressing and promoting awareness of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Moreno, who is fluent in English and Spanish, was recently honored herself with the Sybil Hart Kooper Award for her outstanding contributions to the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association where she is a vice president.
Her influence also extends through her work with other bar associations and committees.
Moreno was the first Latino president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. She is the Immediate Past President of the New York State Puerto Rican Bar Association, is a member of the New York City Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary and is part of Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas’ Advisory Committee on Civil Practice. She also serves on the New York State Court of Appeals Judicial Screening Committee and is secretary of the Brooklyn Bar Association.
Moreno said she was never dismayed by growing up with few material possessions.
Instead, she felt fortunate to be surrounded by people who appreciated the importance of education while being raised in a housing project in the South Bronx after her family emigrated from Puerto Rico.
“I was blessed to have a family that valued a college education and a post-college education. We didn’t have much, but our values that placed a premium on education, the importance of family and self-sacrifice were everything to us.”
Moreno received her bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and her juris doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. She has been principal and partner at Avanzino & Moreno since 2008 in Brooklyn where she focuses her practice on labor law and construction accidents, product liability, premises liability, negligent security, civil rights violation and automotive cases.
Go here for a full list of Trial Lawyers Section upcoming programs.
