Village of East Williston Deputy Mayor Bonnie Parente is charting a new course in her law career, opening a private law practice in Mineola.
“I always considered going out on my own and getting back into the private practice of law,” Parente said. “I decided my career should take a different turn.”
Parente has worked as director of human resources for the New York Racing Association for the past eight years, handling contract negotiations with the NYRA’s multiple employee bargaining units. Prior to that, she worked in a similar role at Newsday for three years.
Parente said she is looking forward to “branching out” in the practice she started in an office at 190 East Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. Parente said she has done wills and real estate closings in the past, but she also expects to continue practicing labor law in her private practice.
“I’m hoping my labor and employment law reputation follows me,” Parente said.
Parente grew up in Mineola and attended Mineola High School before earning her bachelors degree in banking and finance. After graduating Touro Law School, she worked for one year with Krupnick & Goldman in Garden City. Her first experience in practicing labor law was with Portnoy, Messinger & Pearl in Syosset, where she worked before joining Jackson Lewis LLP, an international labor law firm.
The appeal of practicing law in her hometown was also a factor in her decision.
“I really want to practice as an attorney in my local community,” Parente said.
Parente was elected as a trustee in the Village of East Williston in 2011. She briefly entered the race for Nassau County judge for the 3rd District on the Republican ticket in 2012 before deciding against running for the position.
She said she is “seriously considering her options” in running for other local offices in the near future
Along with her service as village trustee in East Williston, Parente serves on the parish council for St. Aidan Church.
She and her husband, Kevin, have two children, Emma and Kevin Jr.
Parente is also active in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
