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William J Ciancaglini

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Name
  
William Ciancaglini


Role
  
Lawyer

Education
  
La Salle University, Community College of Philadelphia

William j ciancaglini campaign testimonials


William J. Ciancaglini (January 16, 1971) is an American lawyer currently practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Contents

Ciancaglini received the media spotlight in a landmark case versus The Philadelphia Turf Club, a subsidiary of Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack. In 2009, Dittus v. Philadelphia Turf Club was decided in Ciancaglini's favor before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Early life

William Joseph Ciancaglini was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 16, 1971. After graduating from Saint John Neumann High School in 1988, Ciancaglini enrolled in La Salle University and was a member of the varsity wrestling team during that year. After two semesters at La Salle, Ciancaglini discontinued his college education and earned an associate's degree in electronic technology from Pennco Technical Institute in Bristol, PA. Reluctant to pursue employment in electronics technology, Ciancaglini sought employment in the casino industry.

As an original dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, Ciancaglini worked extensively as a craps dealer, later following this trade to Atlantic City for Trump's Castle and the Atlantic City Hilton. William dealt craps until autumn 1996, when he reembarked on his education.

Ciancaglini enrolled in Community College of Philadelphia from 1996 until 1998 before rejoining a full schedule at La Salle University for the Fall of 1998 semester. During this period at La Salle, Ciancaglini was a member of the La Salle Explorers ice hockey team. In the spring of 2000, Ciancaglini graduated from La Salle with a bachelor's degree in English and was prepared to enter law school.

Temple University Beasley School of Law

Ciancaglini, then-commonly referred to as "Billy C.", began his post-graduate education at the Temple University James J. Beasley School of Law in 2000. It was during the first semester at Beasley when Ciancaglini became interested in politics. After joining Beasley's Justinian Society for students of Italian lineage, he organized numerous events promoting prominent guest speakers and general advancement of the group.

In 2001, during Ciancaglini's second year, he unsuccessfully ran for the position of Student bar association (SBA) president. Undeterred by this setback, he was then elected as 2L President for the entirety of the second-year class, as well as President of the Beasley chapter of the Justinian Society. Shortly thereafter, Ciancaglini was also selected among an elite group of students to encompass the Moot Court Honor Society. In 2003, on behalf of the Moot Court Honor Society, Ciancaglini traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to compete in a national competition based on appellate immigration law.

While still serving as a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and during his second year as President of the Beasley chapter of the Justinian Society, Ciancaglini again ran for the position of SBA President. This time, he was victorious.

Political career

After graduating from Beasley School of Law, Ciancaglini tried his hand at local Philadelphia politics. Undeterred by the SBA Presidential term and resulting scandal, he became a Democratic Committeeman for the 26th District in Philadelphia. The Beasley School, which once denounced Ciancaglini, now applauded his accomplishment in the Summer 2004 edition of Temple, Esq. Perhaps uninspired by a lack of controversy and his former nemesis now declaring his praises, Ciancaglini finished his term as Democratic Committeeman and declined to seek reelection.

As Ciancaglini leaned toward the criminal defense aspect of the law, his first inclination was to apply for a position with the Philadelphia Public Defender's Association. However, while attending a 'new-hire training session' at his hopeful office of future employment, a job opportunity arose unexpectedly. Legendary Philadelphia defense attorney Joseph Santaguida became aware of Ciancaglini's legal acumen and offered the young attorney a position as an intern. Under the watchful eye of the experienced Santaguida, Ciancaglini became proficient in the art of criminal defense law. Eventually, after several years learning under Santaguida's tutelage, Ciancaglini began his own legal practice in the much-maligned area of criminal defense. Santaguida remained a mentor, as the two continued their friendship.

Despite practicing almost exclusively in criminal defense, Ciancaglini's next media frenzy would come from a landmark civil lawsuit. The legal precedent and implications of the verdict heavily outweigh the modest amount being contested over the span of several years. On February 6, 2006, a seemingly simple wager on a horse race would become a hot-button issue for future disputes in Contract law.

Danielle Dittus, Ciancaglini's client, was working as a teller at The Turf Club, a subsidiary of Philadelphia Park Casino and Race Track when a customer orally placed a wager on a particular horse race. Dittus mistakenly gave the customer the wrong ticket and promptly refunded his funds. Moments later, the erroneous ticket was a winner, the prize was $14,168.90, and it was still in Dittus' hands. The Turf Club claimed that tellers could not "gamble" while working, thus, they could not win and collect proceeds. Ciancaglini disagreed.

After successfully persuading a board of arbitrators towards his rationale, Ciancaglini momentarily proved the axiom that "possession is 9/10 of the law" and Dittus was awarded the full amount in dispute. An Appeal and jury trial followed. Ciancaglini and Dittus again prevailed. Yet another Appeal followed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. After submitting legal briefs and orally arguing before a three-Justice panel, Ciancaglini's side still held true. The Turf Club Appealed yet again. The case is currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court while others with similar claims await the eventual final outcome.

The Dittus case again put Ciancaglini in the midst of a media blitz. The Philadelphia Daily News first covered the details of this issue on March 15, 2007. Both sides of the dispute, as well as the rules governing such an occurrence, were presented. Again, Ciancaglini found his exploits on the front page as the Philadelphia Daily News proclaimed "Winner's a Loser at Turf Club" on the very top of its cover page.

Bykofsky's article only fanned the flames and readers then instantly debated the issue over the radio airwaves that same day. The next morning, Ciancaglini was a guest on The Michael Smerconish Morning Show on WPHT 1210 AM in Philadelphia. Callers again were split both pro and con over a controversial issue, and Ciancaglini was again at the center. As the lawsuit continued its journey through Pennsylvania courts, public interest and legal importance only intensified.

The enormity of the legal precedent far outweighs the monetary proceeds at stake. The finality of this matter eventually arrived three years after its origination. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dittus. Ciancaglini had achieved significant reform in Contract Law.

Currently, William Ciancaglini practices in Philadelphia and is focused primarily in the area of Criminal Defense.

References

William J. Ciancaglini Wikipedia