The Borough of South Plainfield bid farewell this month to the municipality’s longtime legal counsel.
Paul Rizzo, a partner with the Warren-based DiFrancesco, Bateman, Coley, Yospin, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, P.C. who has served as the borough’s attorney for approximately 17 years, will retire later this month.
“We are thankful to have Paul here since 2010 … and I can’t thank him enough,” said Councilman Robert Bengivenga Jr. during a Dec. 8 meeting in which the borough acknowledged ‘Love Your Lawyer Day’ and presented Rizzo with a proclamation.
“…Paul, I appreciate all you have done for the Borough of South Plainfield as well as what you have done for others over the course of your career…” Bengivenga said.
Council President Derryck White added, “I would like to thank you, Mr. Rizzo, for all your service to the borough. You have been a blessing.”
Rizzo joined DiFrancesco Bateman as a partner in January 2003 and the firm was first appointed to represent the town in 2008. At that time. Joe Sordillo served as the borough’s attorney but, when he left the Warren-based firm mid-year, Rizzo took on the role.
The following year, the Democrats garnered control of the council and a new firm was retained but, in 2010, the Republicans returned to power with DiFrancesco Bateman and Rizzo — representing the borough ever since.
While Rizzo’s professional connection to the borough dates back to 2008, his personal connection to the town spans nearly four decades. He and his wife, a South Plainfield native, were married at Sacred Heart Church in 1987 and took their wedding photos at Spring Lake Park.
“There has been the interesting benefit of representing the town where my wife grew up. She has been able to frequently fill me in on history and tell me stories,” Rizzo said, adding,“I never imagined at that time I would be where I am now.
Through his tenure as borough counsel, Rizzo said he has made a lot of friends, and he will, ‘without question’ miss the people the most.
“Some have been around as long as I have been the town attorney, and some have come and gone… They have all been terrific to work with and for,” he said.
Rizzo will remain of counsel with DiFrancesco Bateman through 2026 to wrap up ongoing litigation and to help his successor, Michael DiFazio, transition into his position as borough attorney. With no plans to relocate, Rizzo said he is looking forward to spending time with his family, which includes two married daughters and a two-year-old granddaughter who lives just 10 miles away.
“I am 70 years old, have been an attorney for 45 years, and haven’t taken two consecutive weeks off since 1984. There is a lot of stress in this business, and it can be exhausting; I don’t have the same energy as I once had, so it’s time,” Rizzo said, adding, “I want to get out while I can still do things and enjoy my family and life.”
