Community Outreach

Speakers Bureau

Speaker's Bureau Coordinator
Michael Cipollino, Chief Clerk
Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
320 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-852-1747
FAX 631-852-1777

Speakers Bureau Request Form

Speakers Bureau History

In 1977, then Suffolk County Surrogate Ernest Signorelli requested Michael Cipollino to coordinate and supervise the Surrogate's Court Speakers Bureau. The Speakers Bureau was designed to utilize members of the Surrogate's Court to enlighten the community on the various services which were available through the Court, and to explain some of the more complex aspects of the legal system in terms the general public could understand. The Speakers Bureau was a means of giving back to the community long before community service became the norm. Among the Surrogate's Court employees recruited by Michael to participate in this outreach program was A. Gail Prudenti, who later became Suffolk County Surrogate and Suffolk County District Administrative Judge. In Judge Prudenti's words, "the legal system affects all of us, whether you are called for jury duty, need a will, bring a small claims matter, get a traffic ticket, become a victim of a crime or in numerous other ways. For many people, the courts and the legal process are strange and confusing."

The Speakers Bureau has worked for more than twenty years to simplify the legal system in the areas which directly affect the citizens of our county. Its members in general, and Michael Cipollino in particular, address interested groups such as civic associations, fraternal orders, senior citizen groups, high schools, colleges, parent-teacher associations, retirement seminars, hospitals, women's groups and religious groups on issues which directly impact upon their personal lives. Initially, the Bureau worked to "demystify" such topics as wills and estate planning. Over the years, as it was accepted, and then sought out by the community, the range of subjects it covers has grown to include jury service in both civil and felony trials, domestic violence and the effect of street gangs upon society.

If you would like to have a representative of the Speakers Bureau attend your organization, please contact Michael Cipollino at 631-852-1747.