Joseph Ceccarelli has litigated in federal and state courts for over 25 years. His practice focuses in the areas of commercial and real estate litigation. Joe is a trusted advisor with a demonstrated ability to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions to complex legal challenges. A proven leader on high-performance legal teams, Joe joined Wilson Elser in 2015 for the resources and capability he needs to support the growing national and cross-border businesses of his clients. Joe’s particular strengths and his roots lie in New York City, representing high-stakes business interests on Wall Street and owners, developers and managers in the city’s record-setting real estate market.
Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Joe was a partner at a diverse commercial law firm with more than 170 attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals in 20 domestic and international offices. Before that, he was the founding and managing partner of Ceccarelli Weprin PLLC, specializing in business and commercial real estate litigation and transactional work. His comprehensive litigation background includes representation of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, where he had a primary role in the prosecution and defense of substantial statewide construction claims.
Joe served as treasurer for the Honorable David I. Weprin, spanning four consecutive successful election campaigns for Finance Committee Chair of the New York City Council from 2002 through 2009. He successfully prosecuted on a pro bono basis the first test case in New York regarding grandparents' rights to raise grandchildren in the event of abandonment by or death of the parents. Among Joe’s other civic contributions has been his service as president and board member of New York City’s Future Condominium from 1995 and 2003, a prominent example of late modernist architecture for international high-rise buildings.
Prior to entering private practice, Joe served as law clerk to a New York State Supreme Court Justice in New York County, where he was a lead drafter regarding the disposition of over 500 motions before the court and assisted chambers in conducting full civil trials.
