Eight and counting – the Zumpano Family’s tradition of practicing law

‘One of the reasons I love The Florida Bar so much is it really gave us, in so many ways, direction and guidance as to how to build a career’

When Lucas Zumpano was sworn in to The Florida Bar by 11th Circuit Senior Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely at his family’s South Florida home recently, he became the eighth member of the Zumpanos to join the Bar in two generations, starting with his father 31 years ago.

“I hope to build on that legacy,” says Lucas.

Practicing law in Florida became a Zumpano family tradition in 1995, when Joseph “Joey” Zumpano was admitted to The Florida Bar and began building Zumpano Patricios, where he now concentrates on anti-terrorism and managed care.

“It's a big honor for our family because I truly love The Florida Bar,” says Joey.

“Becoming an attorney is the greatest honor you will have in your life. Watching your child become an attorney even beats that,” he adds. “To see another person embrace the values and the spirit of The Florida Bar . . . that became the measure of true success.”

Joey was the first Zumpano admitted to the Bar; his wife, Grace, was admitted later the same year. Joey’s brothers, Carlos (“Cary”) and Daniel (“Danny”), joined in 1999 and 2009, respectively. Joey’s cousin, David, joined the Bar in 2008, followed by David’s daughter, Maria Zumpano Withrow, in 2020. Joey’s cousin, James Zumpano, joined in 2023.

Lucas, who practices corporate counsel defense with Lydecker’s labor and employment group in Miami, was inspired to become a lawyer watching his father and uncles practice law.

“I saw the effect that my father and my uncles had on other people's lives. Whether with clients or employees, their strategy is to build people up,” Lucas said. “They do a great job at making sure that everyone is moving forward and everyone is also being considered as they move forward. I've always admired that about my dad's firm.”

Joey credits the Bar for its focus on professionalism, which he believes naturally evolves into a positive undercurrent of affirmation among lawyers. It’s a long way from the glorified image of “Rambo-lawyers” that was popular when he entered the profession, he says.

“I really think The Florida Bar's heading in the right direction –– emphasizing professionalism over the last few years is really paying off,” says Joey. “A lot of the values this generation of attorneys is getting came from the experience of our generation of attorneys. You have to do your best for your client, and you have to do your best with each other in the way you treat each other, as well.”

“My father never lets the dauntingness, the adversarial nature of the work, overcome his love for seeing people happy. And I think that's really rare,” observes Lucas. “He checks on people, he wonders how they're doing. He thinks about how he communicates with people before he talks to them. It's very easy for people to talk to others that they don't know in harsh, rash, insensitive ways. But he’s very thoughtful,” he says.

The Zumpano family’s story has “modest origins,” says Joey, recounting how his great-great-grandfather emigrated from Italy and worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Joey’s great-grandfather joined his great-great grandfather in the mines before sending three sons to fight in World War II. The family worked its way up the Appalachian corridor to eventually settle in upstate New York, where Joey was later born. After the war, Joey’s grandfather became a grocer, and Joey’s father “was a brain surgeon, of all things.”

“You could see the great evolution of an American family,” says Joey.

All three brothers, Joey, Cary, and Danny, earned undergraduate degrees from Harvard University, where they competed on the swimming team and later became lawyers. Joey went on to get his J.D. from Georgetown University.

“One of the reasons I love The Florida Bar so much is it really gave us, in so many ways, direction and guidance as to how to build a career,” says Joey.

He adds that a focus on ethics emphasized by the Bar encouraged the brothers to engage in philanthropy. Joey is especially proud of the creation of the John Zumpano Aquatic Center at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, a project he led with brother Cary. The center is named in honor of their older brother, who succumbed to epilepsy at age 22.

Lucas considers the profession “a continual process of self-discovery. And in that process, you will learn more about yourself, and other people, and the value of being a good person.”

Joey, who is beginning his fourth decade as a lawyer, offers his son a final piece of advice.

“Lucas, the best way for you to be a success in your career and the best way for you to build a practice is to embrace, study, and live by The Florida Bar rules,” says the elder Zumpano. “From keeping an arm's length relationship with your clients, to treating others with dignity and respect, to being gentle but firm when you need to be and understanding that what you are in business to do is what other people say is impossible to do – you will have a great career.”

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