Tom Fodice, Assistant Corporation Counsel at the City of Jersey City

Tom Fodice, long-time attorney at the City of Jersey City, is an acknowledged expert on municipal law and a one-man institution. When Smith became Mayor in 1977, he sent packing Jordan’s entire Law Department — except for Tom Fodice.

When I worked in City Hall from 1998 to 2001, I often had the chance to speak with Tom Fodice. One day we were discussing Michael Ventris deciphering Linear B, Heinrich Schliemann discovering the site of Troy and similar topics. Suddenly a series of clerks and secretaries began to rush into Tom Fodice’s office shouting after the manner of Chicken Little proclaiming celestial plummet.

“A POLICE OFFICER IS HERE WITH A SUBPOENA! A POLICE OFFICE IS HERE WITH A SUBPOENA!”

As some serious and urgent business appeared to require Tom Fodice’s immediate attention, I thought it best that I leave. Because of the crowd of Law Department employees that now filled the room, I couldn’t get out the door.

Tom Fodice ignored the little group and continued to talk about whatever scholarly topic had his attention. Finally — appearing nervous — the officer, holding a large manila envelope, approached the doorway. Without looking at the policeman, Tom Fodice simply said “City Clerk’s Office” and pointed down, indicating the first floor.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *