Paul Richard D'Amato (born July 19, 1947) is an American lawyer and a Republican Party politician who represented the 2nd Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 until he resigned in May 2003.
Paul R. D'Amato | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 2nd district | |
| In office January 8, 2002 – May 16, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Kenneth LeFevre |
| Succeeded by | Kirk W. Conover |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Richard D'Amato April 20, 1947 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Sandra D'Amato (m. 1970) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Mount St. Mary's College (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
| Website | damatolawfirm |
Early life and education
editPaul Richard D'Amato was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey to parents William D'Amato and Grace D'Amato. He was raised in nearby Margate City and Linwood. He was named for his uncle, Paul "Skinny" D'Amato, owner of the 500 Club in Atlantic City. He is of Italian descent and was raised Catholic.
D'Amato attended Blessed Sacrament Grammar School in Margate City, graduating in 1961, and Atlantic City High School, graduating in 1965. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mount Saint Mary’s College and Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1969, and received a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., in 1974. D'Amato later entered public service and became mayor of Linwood in 2000.[1]
New Jersey Assembly
editWith incumbent Kenneth LeFevre not running for re-election, D'Amato was chosen by Republicans to take his place.[2] D'Amato, running together with Republican incumbent Francis J. Blee, defeated Democrats Dianna W. Fauntleroy and Fred Scerni in the 2001 New Jersey General Assembly election.[3] He resigned from office on May 16, 2003, and his vacant seat was filled by Kirk W. Conover, who was serving on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[4]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul R. D'Amato | 29,427 | 28.1 | |
| Republican | Francis J. Blee | 29,010 | 27.7 | |
| Democratic | Fred Scerni | 22,833 | 21.8 | |
| Democratic | Dianna W. Fauntleroy | 22,597 | 21.6 | |
| Green | Robert Paul Gabrielsky | 941 | 0.9 | |
| Total votes | 104,808 | 100.0 | ||
Legal career
editAfter earning his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in 1974, D’Amato was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in South Jersey. He established a private practice focused on civil litigation, including personal injury matters, and later founded the D’Amato Law Firm, based in Atlantic County, New Jersey.
Over the course of his career, D’Amato has represented clients in a wide range of personal injury and negligence cases, including motor vehicle accidents and premises liability claims. His practice has remained active for decades, and he has worked alongside members of his family, including his wife, who is the firm's CFO, and his daughter, attorney Alexa D’Amato Barrera, who is a partner at the firm.[5]
Personal life
editD'Amato currently resides in his hometown of Linwood. He has been married to his wife, Sandra, since 1970. The couple has three daughters: Alexa, Ava, and Ashley.
References
edit- ↑ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 210, Part 2, p. 292. J.A. Fitzgerald., 2003. Accessed January 21, 2024. "Paul R. D'Amato, Rep., Linwood - Mr. D'Amato was elected to the Assembly on Nov. 6, 2001. In addition to his legislative service, he has served as mayor of Linwood since January 2000. The assemblyman was born July 19, 1947, in Atlantic City. He graduated from Atlantic City High School and, in 1969, from Mount Saint Mary's College, Newburgh, N.Y. He received a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1974, the same year as his admission to the New Jersey bar"
- ↑ Wildstein, David. "In 2nd district, Democratic Assembly incumbents re-elected for the first time", New Jersey Globe, November 15, 2019. Accessed January 21, 2024. "LeFevre did not seek re-election in 2001 and was replaced by Republican Paul D’Amato (R-Linwood)."
- 1 2 Official List, Candidate Returns for General Assembly for November 2001 General Election, New Jersey Department of State. April 17, 2008. Accessed January 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Conover to replace D’Amato in Atlantic County", The Press of Atlantic City, May 17, 2003. Accessed January 21, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Atlantic County Republicans are scheduled to formally name Kirk Conover as the replacement for former Assemblyman Paul D'Amato, R-Atlantic, on Monday.... Naming Conover to replace D’Amato in Atlantic County the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders as D’Amato’s replacement is the only item on the agenda."
- ↑ "South Jersey Personal Injury Law Firm". D'Amato Law Firm. Retrieved April 29, 2026.