QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS Steven Simicich esq. Recipient of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Distinguished Alumni Award

“I am so proud to be receiving this honor at our Catholic Schools Week opening mass. It fills me with warmth and pride as the St. Francis of Assisi family has been a part of my family for three generations.” — said Steven Simicich.

My family’s roots run deep in Astoria, my parents got married in St. Francis and I received the sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation in the church. My father graduated from St. Francis Catholic Academy in 1963.

Born and raised in Astoria, my brothers and I also graduated from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy.

Now I live just two blocks from St. Francis with my wife Mira and sons Luca and Marco. Our sons are also now attending school there. And our second son was baptized in the church. The Catholic school- ing of St. Francis and the loving and stable upbringing from my parents helped steer my career path.

In 8th grade I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer, with my yearbook even predicting law as my path. Having graduated from St. Francis I went on to obtain a degree from St. John's Law School. Recently my law firm SL Law Group has taken over the office space of Forchelli & Forchelli on 30th Avenue, a local law firm which was founded in 1931. Our firm, founded alongside my partner Nikon Limberis, is a full service Real Estate and Trust & Estates law firm.

My early education at St. Francis Catholic Academy has served me in every chapter of my life. I know that my Catholic School education has given me the foundation necessary to living a life of purpose.

Throughout my journey the teachings from St. Francis have provided me with the strength and perseverance to realize my dreams. There have been trying times when I have felt rudderless, facing personal pains, if it were not for the bedrock of my Catholic school education and upbringing I would have faltered along the way. To put it plainly, St. Francis Catholic Academy was and is my foundation and keeps me moving forward.

As a Board Member of the Astoria Park Alliance I apply my legal expertise to assist Astoria Park and host Board meetings at my firm’s conference room.

As part owner and general council of VSPOT the vegan restaurant group, I understand how important it is to support local business.

Acting as Vice President of the LIC Lawyers Club I support the local business community by host- ing monthly dinner meetings at restaurants around Astoria and Long Island City.

Astoria is a unique neighborhood business community. Having remained prosperous through the pandemic, Astoria is poised to grow even stronger on the foundation of its diversity and economic stability. This is one of the many reasons my partner and I decided to open our main office on the bustling thoroughfare of 30th avenue.

Throughout my career I have devoted time and energy towards service and community. My law firm continues to support community events for the Park and surrounding neighborhood. Now as a recently inducted member of the Astoria Knights of Columbus, I will continue to support the community that has always been my home.