A Family Affair

In an office, an older man in a suit jacket sits at a desk holding a framed photo, while a younger woman in a black suit stands behind him. The background features a framed portrait of another man, a scales of justice emblem, and various other framed documents and decorative objects on shelves and the wall.

For four generations, Fordham has inspired members of the Vallone family to make their mark on New York City.

By Elizabeth Moore

Above: Lea Vallone ’25 with her grandfather Peter F. Vallone Sr., FCRH ’56, LAW ’59, who is holding a photo of his father, Charles J. Vallone ’28. On the wall is a photo of Lea’s father, the late Paul Vallone FCRH ’89.

Photo by Robert Essel

any know the Queens-based Vallone family for its legacy in Democratic politics and the law, but several members of the well-known dynasty have something else in common: For nearly 100 years, generations of Vallones have been educated at Fordham and gone on to impact New York City as lawyers, judges, and elected officials.

In a black and white photograph, a judge is seated at a desk, wearing traditional judicial attire. An American flag is partially visible in the background, indicating a formal or governmental environment.

Judge Charles J. Vallone ’28

In May, Lea Vallone ’25 will carry on this tradition when she graduates from Fordham Law, becoming the first woman in her family to do so.

“I look up to my grandfather, uncles, and my dad so much,” says the 24-year-old. “They had amazing experiences at Fordham, which propelled them to go forward in their professional lives. They brought ideals and morals Fordham instilled in them into their work and their daily lives.”

The first Vallone to enroll at Fordham Law School was Lea’s great-grandfather, Charles J. Vallone ’28. Born in Italy, he was raised in Queens and attended the Law School when it was housed on the 28th floor of the Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway. Back then, tuition was only around $150 a year.

Charles graduated during the Depression and got his first job at J.P. Morgan & Co. In 1932, he opened his own law firm in Queens and later founded both the Astoria Civic Association and the Queens Boys Club. In 1955, then–New York City mayor Robert F. Wagner appointed Charles a municipal judge. Eventually, he became a judge in Queens County Civil Court from 1955 until his death in his court chambers in 1967. Charles’ legacy includes an elementary school in Queens that bears his name and descendents who have continued his commitment to public service.

A Life of Service

Charles’ son Peter F. Vallone Sr., FCRH ’56, LAW ’59, now 90, has fond memories of visiting his father’s law office when he was 11 and doing his homework there. He eventually followed in his father’s footsteps with a Fordham education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Fordham College at Rose Hill in 1956 and later attending Fordham Law. He recalls, “I loved every minute of it. I could only attend as a day student. I couldn’t afford to board at Fordham, but [my son] Paul did. He actually boarded at Fordham during college, which was my dream.”

Five people in business attire are gathered indoors, holding a large wooden gavel between the central three individuals. They are smiling and appear to be celebrating or participating in a formal event, with American flags visible in the background.

Left to right: Tena Vallone and her son Peter Vallone Jr., FCRH ’83, LAW ’86, husband Peter F. Vallone Sr., FCRH ’56, LAW ’59, and sons Paul Vallone FCRH ’89 and Perry Vallone

As a freshman, Peter joined a Christian life community under the guidance of a Jesuit scholar. Freshman members agreed to attend Mass every day. “We pledged ourselves to serve the Blessed Mother,” Peter recalls. “It was a tremendous honor for me. I loved every second of Fordham—not just the excellence of education, but the devotion to God, the Father, and Holy Spirit, and all of the wonderful teachers.” While in law school, he was chairman of the Moot Court and won an interscholastic competition.

After law school, he practiced at Weinberg and Jacobowitz until 1962, when he took over his father’s firm. In 1974, he was elected to the New York City Council, representing Astoria until 2001, when he had to step down because of term limits. He also became the Council’s first-ever speaker, holding the majority leader position for 15 years, following the reorganization of city government.

Peter wrote about his 35 years in city government—serving with Ed Koch, David Dinkins, and Rudy Giuliani—in his book, Learning to Govern, published in 2005, and he donated an autographed copy to the Fordham Library and to his friend, then-dean John Feerick, FCRH ’58, LAW ’61.

Three men in suits are engaged in conversation, smiling and gesturing towards each other. The man in the center looks towards the man on the left, who is looking at him, while the man on the right looks towards the center man.

Peter F. Vallone Sr., FCRH ’56, LAW ’59, center, speaks with New York Governor Mario Cuomo (left) and New York City Mayor Ed Koch (right).

Among his accomplishments were drafting changes to the city charter in 1989 to help keep the city on its budget, becoming the Democratic nominee for governor in 1998, and running for mayor in 2001. After retiring from politics, he founded a lobbying firm, taught political science at Baruch College, and started an academic scholarship program for New York City high school students.

All three of Peter’s sons—Paul, Perry, and Peter Jr.—went into law. Paul, Lea’s father, earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham in 1989 and his law degree at St. John’s University. He worked at his family’s law firm and in 2013 was elected to the New York City Council, representing District 19 in Queens. In 2021, Mayor Eric Adams appointed him to serve as the deputy commissioner for external affairs at the Department of Veterans’ Services, where he worked until his sudden death from a heart attack in January 2024.

“He was one who best showed the value of a Catholic education every day of his life,” says Peter Vallone Jr. of his late brother. He added that Paul was incredibly proud of his daughter: “He wore ‘Fordham Law Dad’ shirts all the time.”

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There’s a wonderful Fordham history and a history tied to service.

Dean Emeritus John Feerick, FCRH ’58, LAW ’61

Paul Vallone FCRH ’89 proudly wore his Fordham shirt in honor of his daughter Lea Vallone ’25, who will graduate from Fordham Law in May.

Though Perry broke tradition and attended Monmouth University in New Jersey and St. John’s Law School, Peter Vallone Jr. graduated from Fordham College at Rose Hill in 1983 and the Law School in 1986, where he says he received the highest grade in his Torts and Criminal Law classes and, as quarterback, led the intramural football team in a championship game.

Peter Jr. worked for six years in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office before joining his father’s firm in 1992, changing the name to Vallone & Vallone. The firm, still operating today, specializes in trusts, estates, and real estate. He served on the New York City Council from 2002 to 2013 and worked in former governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration before being sworn in as a Court of Claims judge in 2016, in the same Queens County Supreme Court where his grandfather served.

Peter says he still values his Fordham experience: “It has given us a unique view of everything in life. It permeates the way we act, the way we give.”

The Next Generation

In May, Peter will be at the diploma ceremony to support Lea, his niece and goddaughter.

Feerick, who was just two years behind Peter F. Vallone Sr. when he attended Fordham Law, taught Lea when she enrolled in the Rule of Law Clinic two years ago. She reflects on her studies under Feerick with immense gratitude and fondness. He says he wasn’t surprised to discover she was a member of the storied family: “There’s a wonderful Fordham history and a history tied to service.”

A group of four casually dressed young people are standing outside the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, indicated by the prominent signage on the building's facade. They are smiling and appear to be visiting or supporting the animal care facility.

The family of the late Paul Vallone FCRH ’89 in front of the animal shelter bearing his name. From left to right: His son, Charles Vallone, widow, Anna-Marie Vallone, and daughters Lea Vallone ’25 and Catena Vallone.

At Fordham Law, Lea spent a summer abroad in Dublin, where she interned at the High Court of Ireland. She also co-led a workshop on social justice and international human rights in São Paulo, Brazil, as a member of the Student Advisory Board of Fordham Law’s Institute on Religion, Law, and Lawyer’s Work. Though she told Feerick she wasn’t planning on going into politics like her other family members, she did testify in front of the New York City Council to advocate for increased animal shelter space in Queens—a goal her father had also worked toward.

In September 2024, her testimony paid off when the Paul A. Vallone Shelter on Flushing Avenue in Ridgewood, Queens, was opened by Animal Care Centers of New York City.

Lea, who plans on joining Akerman LLP after graduation, says she wasn’t pressured by her family to attend Fordham Law. “There was no other choice for me. … I knew in my heart I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

A group of nine people, a mix of men and women of varying ages, are posed for a photograph in what appears to be an office or formal setting. Some are standing behind two seated individuals at a wooden table, and framed pictures and a decorative emblem are visible on the wall behind them.

Standing, left to right: Peter F. Vallone Jr. ’86, Charles J. Vallone, Perry Vallone, Lea Vallone ’25, Catena Vallone, Anthony J. Constantinople ’01, Matthew Vallone FCRH ’15. Seated, left to right: Mary Vallone, Peter F. Vallone Sr., FCRH ’56, LAW ’59, and Anna-Marie Vallone. A portrait of the late Paul Vallone FCRH ’89 hangs in the background.

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