Annamarie Gulino Gentile Honored for Her Devotion
Annamarie Gulino Gentile’s devotion to learn new things and learn about people is one of her best qualities. That key trait has also served as a big reason for her success.
The supervising attorney and partner at the Law Firm of Angiuli & Gentile, LLP in Dongan Hills knows the world is always changing and to maintain long-term success, you need to adapt.
“We decided a long time ago that we didn’t want to put all our eggs in one basket regarding the type of law we practice. That decision to diversify really helped us during periods of any kind of economic downturn in any one practice area,” said Gentile. “Our flexibility as a firm has enabled us to redirect our efforts in different areas of practice to keep our law firm successful.”
Gentile originally handled personal injury litigation and other forms of litigation, but eventually decided to focus on specializing in elder law and estate planning.
That shift meant educating herself and key members of her staff in that concentration. In addition to taking a plethora of courses in elder law and estate planning, Gentile also collaborated with other lawyers for a few years to gain more insight into that field.
“We realized there was a large population here on Staten Island that would be in need of elder law services,” said Gentile. “We recognized the importance of educating our residents in practice and assisting them as they were aging and in need of preparing for their future. Helping them protect what they worked hard for became our goal.”
Estate planning can sometimes be an uneasy conversation for people and families. However, those who sit and meet with Gentile usually appreciate her calm and welcoming demeanor while discussing the tough topics.
“The best part of my job is being told by my clients after a meeting that I am very calming and reassuring and that I've helped put their minds at ease,” she said.
For her accomplishments, Gentile is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award, which she will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- sponsored by M&T Bank and presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.
As the supervising attorney and partner at the law firm, Gentile oversees all of the legal work being performed. In her practice area, she advises families on how to protect lifelong assets if longterm care is required for themselves or their loved ones. Her estate planning work includes drafting documents such as wills, living trusts (revocable and irrevocable), family agreements, health care directives, and durable powers of attorney.
“She really changed the course of the business and made it into a prominent part of the practice,” said Solomon Chemo, the managing principal of Richmond Wealth Management, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, who nominated Gentile for the Louis Miller award.
Gentile -- who received her bachelor’s degree in economics and English from the University at Albany, SUNY and graduated from Brooklyn Law School – previously served as Chairwoman at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce during 2015 and 2016 and Chairwoman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2017 and 2018.
She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Community Agency for Senior Citizens (CASC) and is currently a board member of CASC and Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc. She is an avid volunteer for many causes involving the elderly and special needs population and offers frequent seminars to the public in the area of elder law.
Throughout her career, she has mentored countless business professionals.
“Annamarie has been a mentor for many attorneys during her 30 years of practice, and many of those attorneys have opened and maintained very successful law practices on Staten Island,” said Chemo. “She was instrumental in getting the Young Professionals Group at the Chamber of Commerce up and running, and she mentored many of those members.”
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Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900.
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Below, Gentile shares more about her goals, job, and life:
Community involvement: Past Chairwoman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board. Immediate Past Chairwoman of the Community Agency for Senior Citizens (CASC) and current board member of CASC. Board member at Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc.
Some of my life goals include: To become bilingual in English and Spanish since having a granddaughter to visit in South America is helping me to finally learn to speak Spanish. To become proficient on the piano after not having time to play since my childhood.
The best part of my job: Being told by my clients after a meeting that I am very calming and reassuring and that I've helped put their minds at ease.
The most difficult part of my job: Seeing grown children taking advantage of or not caring about their aging parents. Seeing elderly, frail people who have no children or family members present in their lives to deal with the challenges of aging alone.
My life philosophy: To be grateful for the blessings God has given me and to take one day at a time. Don't “sweat the small stuff.” Give back as much as I can.
I am most proud of: My husband's perseverance and my amazing two children, Jessica and Alexander.
Something that no one knows about me: In my next life, I want to be a landscape architect.
The quality I like about myself: I try never to say "no" to those I love. I figure out how to make things work even in tough situations.
Personal interests and hobbies: Hosting family gatherings. Travelling and cruising throughout Europe. Gardening. Holiday cooking and baking. Decorating.
I laugh at: How crazy the world has become in my lifetime.
I am really good at: Organizing and prioritizing.
I admire: My husband.
Important things I'd like you to know about me: I was first in my family to attend college and to go away to school. I'm an unbelievably loyal friend. Aside from my parents, I credit my high school teachers (some of whom I'm still in touch with) for forming me into the person I am today. Family comes first, above all else.