Page 19 - First Coast Vol 4 No 3

AALM: When did you know that you wanted to become an attorney? What drew you to this career?
Gennusa: From a young age I was on track to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a social worker. is was my goal until mid- way through high school. During my junior year of high school, I took a law class with Mr. Zanazzi and never looked back. e law appealed to me since it appeared that practicing law was the best of both worlds – I could advocate for those that were un- able to, gain a personal satisfaction of a job well done and make a good enough living to support myself. One day a er class, Mr. Zanazzi complimented me on my grades and class participation and stated that he saw being a lawyer in my future. at was the turning point. From that day forward, I knew that a career in law was where I was going. Almost 25 years later, I don’t regret that decision, not one bit!
AALM: Do you have any mentors or pro- fessors that encouraged you along the way? Gennusa: I was fortunate to have two
great career mentors that guided and en- couraged me.
While at Temple, I was fortunate to be taught by Charlie Rogovin. His style of teaching always made his classes stimulat- ing and educational. I became a better law- yer through his challenges to think outside the box and analyze issues from all angles. Charlie also was my biggest advocate in nding my rst job. Charlie, a prosecutor at heart, understood that my career goal was to become a criminal defense attorney and dedicate my entire career as a “lifer” in a Public Defender’s O ce. When I told him of my job interview with the Legal Aid So- ciety Criminal Defense Division, his com- ment was “I might know somebody there.” On the day of my interview, I walked into the interview to be greeted with the com- ment “Charlie Rogovin said you are a scrap- py crowd pleaser and it would be my loss if I don’t hire you.” Charlie’s support of me both personally and professionally was in- tegumental in the path my career has taken.
In 1999, I meet a PI, Frank
Muccio, who was from the
same Bronx neighborhood
as my father. He was most
big-hearted, genuine person
I have ever met. Frank in-
troduced me to every clerk,
judicial assistant, and judge
in Saint Augustine. He also
made a point of introduc-
ing me to fellow Italians,
R.J. Larizza, Alex Christine
and Rhonda Serra, since
in his words “there aren’t
many last names with vow-
els as the last letter in town.”
Frank went above and be-
yond to help me get started in Florida for which I am truly grateful.
AALM: What do you most hope to ac- complish in the future, political aspirations? Gennusa: A er over 20 years in private practice, although I have had a rewarding career, I would like to move forward and ll a void of an unful lled accomplishment. I started my career as a public defender, have always been an advocate for those in need and would like to nish my career as a public defender. Currently, I am a candi- date for the O ce of Public Defender in the Seventh Circuit. To nish my career in my dream job, would be the best nal chapter
in my book of life.
AALM: What was the greatest lesson you
learned in law school?
Gennusa: e greatest lesson I learned
in law school is that to be successful you need to choose wisely. During those three years, I learned that the people you meet, the friends you surround yourself with and the trust you build can be the di erence between success and failure. You learn the true de nition of loyalty and have been for- tunate to have the amazing people and team members by my side throughout my career.
GENNUSA LAW, PA
309 Kingsley Lake Drive, Suite 903 St. Augustine, Fl 32092
(904) 827-0775
to be
ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT
Anne Marie Gennusa
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successful
you need to choose wisely.”