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Judge Frank Joseph Ceresi

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2001 - Present:
Principal. FC Associates
Principal of FC Associates, a business specializing in legal services, museum consulting and professional appraisals. Additionally, I provide legal services and collection planning for individuals, museums and major collectors, and advise on matters involving donations, procurement, contracts, intellectual property and general business.

Other legal matters handled in 2005 include appellate litigation involving medical malpractice, preparation for depositions regarding a serious personal injury case, advice on issues relating to catastrophic loss and insurance claims, and issues related to licensing, copyright and intellectual property.

Also, FC Associates develops permanent and traveling sports-related exhibits as well as collections management systems for museums, historical societies and other interested venues.

I recently authored a book entitled, Baseball in Washington, D.C., serve as a columnist for various publications and websites, and have appeared as an expert on television and in print.

MEMBER:

  • Virginia State Bar (Active Member)
  • American Society of Appraisers (Candidate Member)
  • International Association of Sports Museums & flails of Fame
  • American Association of Museums
  • The Manuscript Society

November 1997 - July 2001:
Curator and Executive Director of Collections MCI National Sports Gallery
As Curator, I was responsible for the entire MCI National Sports Gallery artifact and memorabilia collection. My duties included the acquisition, procurement, de-accession, attribution, authentication and research of our extensive collection. Additionally, I oversaw and managed curatorial staff activities and devised, planned and instituted special Gallery projects involving sports memorabilia and sport related events. Also, I was responsible for devising and implementing special educational and outreach projects to enhance the reputation and prestige of the Gallery. (Specific exhibit information provided upon request.)

March 1987 - November 1997:
Judge. Arlington Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Appointed by the Virginia Legislature. As a Judge, I had jurisdiction over a wide array of criminal and civil matters relating to juvenile and intra-family disputes (e.g. crimes committed by or against juveniles, interfamily crimes, custody, support, abuse and neglect, and termination of parental rights cases).

Additionally, I had administrative responsibilities for the Court, the Court Services Unit and ultimately other court services and group homes with budgetary implications of several million dollars per annum.

I became adept on a variety of legal issues and areas of the law including, but not limited to, employment law, contract and procurement matters, the law relating to the work area, Federal and State education law and much more.

As Chief Judge for several years, I devised, implemented and managed a host of policies and programs covering an extremely diverse staff of approximately 50 individuals. The policies covered a wide variety of programs, not only emanating from the Court Services Unit in Arlington, Virginia but also in Falls Church, Virginia as well as the Argus Boys Group Home and Aurora Girls Group Home. Additionally, I was responsible for the hiring of staff. Frankly, there are too many programs and attendant state and national awards to list but I will do so upon request.

Judicial Activities

  • 1987-1997: Judicial appointee on several legislative studies and task forces reviewing ways to strengthen the judicial response toward domestic violence, abused and neglected children and other family court matters. Additionally, I was intimately involved with several initiatives regarding constitutional law issues. The appointments were made by different legislative and judicial entities including the Virginia State Legislature, the Virginia Supreme Court, the Arlington County Board, and more.
  • 1990-1997: I developed the Court Volunteer/Mentor Program as well as Detention Diversion Program through Argus House, the Court’s Boys Group Home and Aurora House, the Girl’s Group Home. The two homes are nationally recognized for innovations regarding the treatment, protection and rehabilitation of youth and battered women.
  • 1985-1997: Active in Continuing Legal Education Programs through the Arlington County Bar, Virginia State Bar and American Bar Associations. Developed, along with members of the Arlington Bar Association and Bar Foundation, and American Bar Association, several television and video presentations.

Additional judicial activities upon request.

May 1975 - March 1987:
Attorney. General Practice
After being admitted to the Virginia Bar in May, 1975, went into general practice in Arlington, Virginia. Had own practice which ran the gamut from negligence, personal injury, and criminal defense cases to wills, domestic relations and business incorporations. Have had extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts. Experience included both trial (jury and non-jury) and appellate litigation.

For example, represented clients charged with every possible criminal violation up to capital murder. Also represented clients in medical malpractice and related negligence actions, including several wrongful death cases that resulted insubstantial monetary recoveries.

1985 - 1987:
Substitute Judge, Arlington Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Appointed by the Chief Judge of Arlington County Circuit Court.

1980 - 1987:
Special Justice. Arlington County
Appointed by the Chief Judge of Arlington County Circuit Court to serve as a Special Justice presiding over cases in State civil commitment proceedings. These hearings involved the involuntary and/or voluntary commitment of individuals to State and private hospitals.

EDUCATION
J.D. December, 1974:

T.C. Williams School of Law
University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia

B.S., June, 1971:

Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Blacksburg, Virginia

LEGAL PUBLICATIONS (Copies Upon Request)

  • “Targeting Serious Juvenile Offenders,’ Lex Claudia (publication of Virginia Women Attorneys Association) published in 1997
  • “The Role of the Guardian Ad Litem: A Judicial Perspective,” Virginia Bar News, Vol. 43, No. 1 (July, 1994).
  • “The Drug Crisis in Family Court,’ Virginia Bar News (Special Substance Abuse Issue), Vol. 40, No. 7 (January, 1992).
  • “In Re Gault Constitutional Celebration,” Virginia Bar News (Special Bicentennial Issue), Vol. 36. No. 6 (August, 1987).
  • “The Role of the Attorney in the Involuntary Commitment Hearing,” Virginia Bar News, Vol. 34, No. 6 (December, 1985).