Sen. Gounardes, CM Brannan Celebrate Ribbon-Cutting at New Bay Ridge School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 2, 2025

View photos here.

Brooklyn, NY — New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Justin Brannan joined local community leaders and students today for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the P.S. 413 Joanne Seminara School of Law and Medicine.

P.S. 413 is a new community elementary school in District 20 that will serve students in grades K-5 with a focus on law and medicine. The school welcomed its first class of kindergarten students in September. 

The school is named in honor of Joanne Seminara, a life-long Bay Ridge resident with a long history of community service and mentorship. Seminara was a partner at the elder law firm of Grimaldi Yeung Law Group who frequently spoke at community education seminars and on television news. She was a member of Brooklyn Community Board 10 for 26 years and served as board chair for three years. She also served as an elected State Democratic Committeewoman and was a founding member of the Bay Ridge Democrats.

Seminara regularly conducted community legal education seminars. In 2015, she co-authored her first book, 5@55: The Five Essential Legal Documents You Need by Age 55. Her various television appearances include Fox 5 New York, Brooklyn Savvy, NY1, Good Day New York and PIX11 News.

Over the course of her life, Seminara received numerous awards, including the Bay Ridge Third Avenue Merchant Association’s Civic Award, the ‘Power Women in Business’ Award from Home Reporter & Spectator News, the ‘Community Service and Law’ Award from the Brooklyn Real Estate Board, and the New York City Council Women’s Community Service Award.

The eldest of four children, Seminara graduated from Notre Dame High School in Staten Island—where she later taught biology and chemistry—followed by Lehigh University and Brooklyn Law School. A life-long Bay Ridge resident, Seminara enjoyed traveling, reading, creating art, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. 

"Joanne was a Bay Ridge treasure: a steadfast leader and compassionate friend who served her community every day,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “She was a tireless advocate for all of us in southern Brooklyn, an accomplished attorney, and a mentor to so many, including me. This community is a better place because of Joanne's efforts, and renaming this school is a fitting way to carry on her legacy of education, collaboration and care."

“Joanne Seminara was the real deal. She understood the importance of planting seeds for trees whose shade you may never enjoy and encouraged young leaders to follow their hearts,” said Council Member Justin Brannan. “Her compass unfailingly led her toward equity, fairness, and integrity. She was simply a good person, who lived to leave our community and our world a little bit better than how she found it. Joanne had no problem standing alone if it meant standing up for what she knew was right. I am so proud we were able to dedicate this school in Joanne's honor to carry on her legacy for generations to come.”

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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