Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor Mourns the Loss of Its Founding Partner, Former New Jersey Governor James J. Florio

On September 25, 2022, former New Jersey Governor James J. Florio, Founder of Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC, passed away at age 85. Florio was the Chair of the firm’s Environmental Group and Government and Regulatory Affairs Group.

Mike Perrucci, who founded the firm with Florio, says, “Jim was a great public servant and leader who cared deeply about people and the issues that impacted them. He will be missed by all of us at the firm and we will carry on his legacy through advocacy, hard work, and compassion. Personally speaking, Jim was a great friend and business partner. While his passing deeply saddens me, I am honored to have known him and his family, and my thoughts and prayers are with them during this time.”

Florio Perrucci’s Managing Partner, Brian Tipton, adds, “Coming to a place with Governor Florio’s name on the door has been a great source of pride for the attorneys and staff of the firm. That will not change because Jim was honored and respected by all. He was always the first to help a client or colleague or to mentor a young lawyer.”

The firm’s other Named Partners also remember Governor Florio. Doug Steinhardt says, “Jim Florio was the consummate gentleman. Our partnership was a constant reminder to me that people can disagree on fundamental tenets of government and politics, but still be civil and still be friends. I will miss him.” Lou Cappelli says, “Gov. Florio inspired me and many others to get involved in public service. It was an honor and a privilege to wind up actually working with him. I will forever miss his friendship and guidance.” Lester Taylor adds, “When I came to the firm as a young attorney, Governor Florio always made time for me. He was an outstanding mentor and I will be forever grateful. I will miss him dearly and work hard every day to make him proud.”

About James J. Florio

Florio entered public service in 1969 serving three terms in the New Jersey General Assembly. He served in the United States House of Representatives from the 1st Congressional District from 1974 – 1990, and as the 49th Governor of the State of New Jersey from 1990 through 1994.  After leaving public office, Florio entered the private practice of law. In 1996, Florio and Michael J. Perrucci started the law firm which is known today as Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC. Florio was Chair of the firm’s Environmental Group and Government and Regulatory Affairs Group.

In addition to his law practice, Florio was involved in a variety of professional, civic, and political activities. He was a Senior Fellow for Public Policy and Administration at the Edward J. Bloustein Graduate School of Public Policy at Rutgers University. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank New York, as Chairman of The Pinelands Commission in New Jersey, on the Board of Directors of NJ Future, on the Board of Directors of the NJ Health Care Quality Institute, Co-Chairman of the Regional Plan Association’s New Jersey Committee, and as a member of the Board of Trustees Fund for New Jersey. Florio served on the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board during the Clinton administration. He was a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) to the U.S. Trade Representative, and a member of The Bretton Woods Committee , a private bipartisan group committed to international economic leadership.

Florio holds numerous honorary degrees and was the 2019 recipient of the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hughes Center Honors. In 1993, he received the “Profile in Courage Award” from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. In 2008, he was designated as a Lifetime Honoree Member of the New Jersey Short Line Railroad Association.

Florio is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served four years of active duty and 18 years in the Active Naval Reserve and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1975.

Florio graduated from Trenton State College, was the recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship at Columbia University, and received his law degree from Rutgers School of Law – Camden.

About Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC

Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC is a 50 Attorney full-service Law Firm with offices in Belvidere, Cherry Hill and New Providence in New Jersey; Easton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and New York City, New York. Founded in 1996 by New Jersey Governor James Florio after leaving public office and Michael J. Perrucci, well known as a litigation trial attorney in numerous million-dollar federal and state cases, the firm is recognized as one of the fastest-growing law firms in the Tri-State area. For more than 20 years, the firm successfully represents public and private sector clients with legal strategy, government advocacy, and business solutions.