JOSEPH G. MILIZIO is the Managing Partner at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, and heads up the firm's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Representation Practice. This practice group offers legal counsel and representation on key issues in the LGBT community, including domestic partnership agreements, co-owner agreements, spousal rights and obligations, adoptions, life and estate planning, health care proxies/living wills and employment law/discrimination.  

As head of this practice area, Mr. Milizio has developed specialized expertise in protecting the rights of people of alternative lifestyles. In fact, in 2009, Vishnick McGovern Milizio made history, successfully filing and obtaining what may be the first signed judgment of divorce between two gay men in New York.

He is also is one of New York's leading advocates for the (LGBT) community and plays an active role in various business networking groups for LGBT entrepreneurs and professionals.

Mr. Milizio also serves as a Partner in the Business & Real Estate Practice Group at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP. As such, he has significant experience in all areas of transactional law, with an emphasis in general business transactions including acquisitions, sales, entity and owner representation, franchising, leasing and transactional real estate matters.  Mr. Milizio represents a wide range of business entities, including retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and professionals. His diverse corporate and real estate finance experience includes the representation of both borrowers and lenders. Mr. Milizio regularly advises clients on corporate governance matters, dispute resolution and estate and succession planning for business owners.  

Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Mr. Milizio is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau County Bar Association, where he serves on the Lawyer Referral Committee, as well as the Corporation Law and Real Estate Committees. In 2009, he was admitted to the Theodore Roosevelt Inn of Court. In 2010, Mr. Milizio was appointed to the New York State Bar Association's Special Committee on LGBT People.

Mr. Milizio received his Juris Doctorate in 1983 from Brooklyn Law School.  He graduated magna cum laude from St. John's University in 1980. Mr. Milizio is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.

Charitable Affiliations
Mr. Milizio is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  He is the team captain of Vishnick McGovern Milizio's MS Walk Team, which participates in the annual MS Walk as one of Long Island?s largest MS Walk teams.  He is also an MS Society Leadership Award recipient, which recognizes Long Island's business leaders.

Email at jmilizio@vmmlegal.com