Veteran Attorney Gibbons Endorsed For Civil Court Seat

Attorney Wyatt Gibbons, a candidate for the Civil Court bench, and his wife Judge Bruna DiBiase who presides in AP6 in Queens Criminal Court. Photo courtesy of Wyatt Gibbons.

By David Brand

Veteran Queens defense attorney Wyatt Gibbons was one of four people designated as Democratic candidates for Civil Court seats ahead of the June primary elections. The Queens Democratic Party announced the candidates Monday.

Gibbons entered the legal profession in 1988 and served as an assistant district attorney until 1991. That year, he took a job in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Attorney General’s office before deciding to return to Queens in 1992.

From 1992 to 1995, Gibbons worked as an associate at Wolinsky and Wolinsky in College Point.

In 1995, he opened his own practice, specializing in criminal defense. He also handles mental health guardianship cases, real estate closings and other areas of practice.

Gibbons spoke with the Eagle on Tuesday, when the courts were closed for Abraham Lincoln’s birthday but joked that the work of a successful attorney never really stops.

“I’m still working,” Gibbons said. “I’ve brought work home with me every day of my 30 year career.”

Gibbons grew up in Queens and still lives in the borough with his wife, Queens Criminal Court Judge Bruna DiBiase.

He has been active in local Democratic politics since he joined the Jefferson Club in 1992.

The Queens County Democratic Party also designated Assemblymember Michele Titus, law clerk Claudia Lanzetta and law secretary Alan Schiff as judicial candidates.

Titus represents Assembly District 31, which includes Far Rockaway, Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park and South Richmond Hill. Lanzetta is principle law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Rudolph E. Greco, Jr and Schiff is law secretary to Justice Bernice Daun Siegal.