Honorable Joel Pisano

1949 - 2021

Honorable Joel Pisano
March 3, 1949 - February 26, 2021
Beaufort , South Carolina - Joel A. Pisano, retired United States District Judge, died on Friday, February 26, 2021 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His beloved wife of forty-nine years, Elizabeth was by his side at the time of his death and through every step of his brave battle with cancer.
A true native son of New Jersey, Joel was born in Orange on March 3, 1949. He grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville High School in 1967. Joel was a proud alumnus of Lafayette College (Class of 1971) where he was President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the College Inter Fraternity Council.
In June of 1971, Joel married Elizabeth Breckenridge and began his studies at Seton Hall University School of Law (Class of 1974). Following graduation, Joel was recruited into the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender. He described this experience as the best courtroom training a lawyer could have. Thereafter, Joel entered private practice becoming a partner at the law firm of Schwartz, Pisano, Simon & Edelstein.
In 1991 Joel was appointed to be a United States Magistrate Judge in the District of New Jersey. Eight years later, Judge Pisano was nominated by President Bill Clinton to become a United States District Court Judge and was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 2000.
Judge Pisano loved his time on the bench, especially when he was trying cases. He was also an active participant in numerous judicial committees and activities. For his distinguished service, Judge Pisano received the Seton Hall University School of Law, Distinguished Graduate Award in 2001 and the Peter W. Rodino Jr. Law Society, Outstanding Achievement Award in 2004.
Judge Pisano was greatly respected not only by his colleagues on the bench, but also by the lawyers and litigants who appeared before him. He was known as an exceedingly prepared, intellectually curious, practically minded, and courteous judge with a great sense of humor, who treated all who appeared before him fairly.
Judge Pisano valued mentorship and regularly opened his office doors to undergraduate and law students. Most importantly, he cherished the relationships he built with his law clerks, whom he considered family and who in turn considered Judge Pisano to be an incomparable mentor and friend.
On February 16, 2015, Judge Pisano retired from the bench and reentered private practice as Counsel at Walsh Pizzi O'Reilly Falanga, LLP. Recognizing his storied career and his return to private practice, in 2016, the Essex County Bar Association named him Professional Lawyer of the Year. According to Founding Partner and friend, Liza Walsh, "He was a friend to all and a loved member of the firm. His kindness, quick wit, and passion for the law will not be forgotten."
Being a judge was what Judge Pisano did for a living. It did not begin to define him as a man, a husband, a mentor or a friend. He enjoyed many and varied interests about which he was passionate including golf, travel, cars, reading, politics, and preparing and eating good food.
He was a master of the art of conversation and he freely shared his advice on many topics. From courtroom exploits to golf course triumphs, he loved telling and hearing good stories, particularly over lunch with friends at one of the "regular spots".
Joel was a longtime member of the Spring Lake Golf Club where he especially enjoyed providing guidance and encouragement to the young caddies. In later years, he and Elizabeth fell in love with Beaufort, South Carolina where they built their retirement home in 2015. They enjoyed many days and nights there together on King Street and playing golf at Secession Golf Club and Chechesse Creek Club. The Low Country truly became their home.
Like Teddy Roosevelt's "man in the arena", Judge Pisano faced even the most challenging circumstances with courage and determination. Never discouraged or swayed from his purpose, he would simply say, "OK, let's figure this out and get it done."
Of course, nothing brought him greater joy than his beloved wife, Elizabeth, who was his partner, best friend, and a constant source of love, strength, and comfort.
Judge Pisano leaves a tremendous legacy through all he accomplished, and more importantly, how he lived. Those who were lucky enough to know and love Judge Pisano are better for it and he will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will held when circumstances permit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Judge Pisano's memory to any of the following of the charities that he and Elizabeth have supported: Beaufort County Open Land Trust, Boys and Girls Club of Northern Beaufort County, The Pat Conroy Literary Center, the Spring Lake Golf Club Caddie Scholarship Fund.