Carmen P. Belefonte, Esq. Receives President’s Award

PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 13, 2010) – Carmen P. Belefonte, Esq., has become the first lawyer to receive the President’s Award and the Milton D. Rosenberg Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (formerly the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association). Mr. Belefonte, a Delaware County attorney with the law firm of Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, PC., is certainly not a surprise recipient of this year’s President’s Award; he has served in every position of the association’s leadership over the past three-plus decades. His dedicated service has included a term as President in 1992-1993. The prestigious Rosenberg Award was presented to him in 1990 and at that time he was cited for his legendary contributions across the board to the renowned advocacy and professional development organization.

Carmen P. BelefonteIn bestowing the honor, President Kevin R. Marciano, Esq. led the chorus of speakers who recognized Carmen’s remarkable intensity and unyielding commitment to all citizens and their rights under the law. “Carmen’s dedication has not waned since he began with this Association,” said Mr. Marciano of his accomplishments. “You see him one day participating in a LAWPAC drive, the next day lecturing at a seminar, and the next walking the halls on the “Hill” in Harrisburg to ensure our clients’ rights remain protected. He goes about every task with great intellect and action tempered by wit, wisdom, and will power.”

Michael F. Barrett, Esq., Managing Shareholder of SMB, who attended the award ceremony, said the Firm is “incredibly fortunate to have a treasure like Carmen working with us every day.” He added, “His exuberance, spirit and vitality are unmatched.”

Mr. Belefonte is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Dickinson School of Law where he served as the Law Review Articles Editor and as a member of the Woolsack Honor Society. He then served as a Captain in the Army Judge Advocate General Corps. After the Army, Carmen entered private practice in Media, Delaware County, where he has won numerous $1 million-plus recoveries for victims and their families in complex wrongful death, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, premises, and professional liability cases. In 2006, he merged with Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, P.C, establishing the Firm’s first full-time office in the Philadelphia suburbs.

One of Delaware County’s most visible attorneys, Mr. Belefonte is a past president of the Delaware County Bar Association; received the group’s E. Wallace Chadwick Memorial Award; serves as solicitor of the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, Delaware County Police Chiefs Association, and Garrettford-Drexel Hill Volunteer Fire Company. He is also Chairman of the Delaware County Election Board and serves on the Delaware County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Ever active in professional legal societies, Mr. Belefonte is a member of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and served as State Chairman. He presently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s (PBA) House of Delegates and has been recognized by the American Inns of Court with the Guy G. deFuria Inn of Court Award for Professional and Trial Advocacy.

Contacts:

Carmen P. Belefonte, Esq. 610-627-9777, cbelefonte@smbb.com

Stephan Rosenfeld (for SMB) 215.514.4101, steph@idadvisors.com

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