Regina Calcaterra
Encyclopedia
Regina M. Calcaterra is an attorney representing those wronged by corporate fraud, advocate for foster children, supporter of government reform and frequent commentator of policy and politics appearing on/in the Fox News Channel, CNBC, Newsday and other media outlets.
Calcaterra is also a pioneer in family law, as the plaintiff In Re Parentage Regina M. Calcaterra, she brought the first case of its kind in the United States that allowed an adult child to determine their true parentage via DNA. While Regina's case was pending and thereafter, eight states adopted a child's right to seek their biological parentage regardless of age, the other forty-two still have not. Thus, Regina's case of first impression serves as guidance to jurisdictions that do not expressly permit an adult child to obtain DNA from their putative parents.
where she majored in political science and graduated in 1988.
Her early career included work as an advocate for the Easter Paralyzed Veterans Association now referred to as the United Spinal Association. There, Calcaterra worked for passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as a range of civil rights and accessibility issues on behalf of disabled veterans.
She went on to work at as legislative director for the New York City Comptroller's Office, where she co-authored and successfully advocated for passage of several pieces of legislation - including laws to protect the rights of workers - which saved taxpayers several million dollars, generated revenues and streamlined city government operations. At the age of 25, she began attending law school during evenings at Seton Hall University School of Law, earning her J.D. and immediately thereafter passing the New York State bar examination.
for the First Senatorial District. Her opponent was state Sen. Kenneth LaValle
, a 34-year incumbent. She campaigned actively on several issues, including ethics reform in New York State government, fair share of state services for Long Island, and changes to the state's school aid formula that would also bring property tax relief to Suffolk County. Her campaign ended when a lawsuit filed by Republican representatives & supporters of her opponent succeeded to remove her from the ballot.
Foster Care and Homeless Childhood & Advocacy on Behalf of Foster & Parentless Children
Calcaterra was born and raised in Suffolk County, N.Y. with her four siblings, she grew up largely in and out of homelessness and foster care when abandoned by their single mother. Throughout her youth there were several weeks and months at a time where she was the sole caregiver of her younger siblings. So finally, at the age of 14, she legally emancipated herself from her mother which allowed her to stay in one foster home during her high school years in Centereach, N.Y. She then aged out of foster care, parentless, at the age of 21 while putting herself through college. Since 2006, she has served as a board member of You Gotta Believe, an organization that addresses the homeless children population by working to get foster children adopted, specifically older foster children. Regina is often asked to speak to international, national and local organizations such as the World Forum on Children 2010, the Child Welfare League of America Annual Conference and local rotary clubs on the need to change policy towards preparing older foster children for potential adoption rather than aging out parentless which often results in homelessness, incarceration or worse.Calcaterra is also a pioneer in family law, as the plaintiff In Re Parentage Regina M. Calcaterra, she brought the first case of its kind in the United States that allowed an adult child to determine their true parentage via DNA. While Regina's case was pending and thereafter, eight states adopted a child's right to seek their biological parentage regardless of age, the other forty-two still have not. Thus, Regina's case of first impression serves as guidance to jurisdictions that do not expressly permit an adult child to obtain DNA from their putative parents.
Education and Early Career
After initially attending SUNY Stony Brook, Calcaterra transferred to the State University of New York at New PaltzState University of New York at New Paltz
The State University of New York at New Paltz, known as SUNY New Paltz for short, is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was founded in 1828 as the School for teaching of classics. In 1885, the New Paltz Normal and Training School was established as a school to prepare teachers for the...
where she majored in political science and graduated in 1988.
Her early career included work as an advocate for the Easter Paralyzed Veterans Association now referred to as the United Spinal Association. There, Calcaterra worked for passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as a range of civil rights and accessibility issues on behalf of disabled veterans.
She went on to work at as legislative director for the New York City Comptroller's Office, where she co-authored and successfully advocated for passage of several pieces of legislation - including laws to protect the rights of workers - which saved taxpayers several million dollars, generated revenues and streamlined city government operations. At the age of 25, she began attending law school during evenings at Seton Hall University School of Law, earning her J.D. and immediately thereafter passing the New York State bar examination.
Corporate Fraud Litigation
Calcaterra is the founding partner of the New York office of Barrack, Rodos & Bacine an internationally recognized corporate fraud litigation firm, representing public employee pension funds in cases where those funds have been defrauded. Among cases on which she worked, Calcaterra was part of the team that represented the New York State Common Retirement Fund in the lawsuits against WorldCom - litigation which led to a historic $6.13 Billion recovery - and McKesson/HBOC which led to recovery of more than $1 billion to injured investors. More recently, she was on the litigation team that recovered over $500 million from Merrill Lynch resulting from their role in the mortgage crisis. Regina represents speaks on the impact that corporate fraud has on the markets internationally.. Regina is admitted to the New York State Bar, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the US Federal District Courts Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.State Senate Campaign
In early 2010, Calcaterra, a Democrat, announced her candidacy for New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
for the First Senatorial District. Her opponent was state Sen. Kenneth LaValle
Kenneth LaValle
Kenneth P. LaValle represents District 1 in the New York State Senate, which comprises the five East End towns of Long Island, New York, and the eastern half of the Town of Brookhaven, New York. First elected in 1976, he is the chair of the Higher Education Committee in the State Senate...
, a 34-year incumbent. She campaigned actively on several issues, including ethics reform in New York State government, fair share of state services for Long Island, and changes to the state's school aid formula that would also bring property tax relief to Suffolk County. Her campaign ended when a lawsuit filed by Republican representatives & supporters of her opponent succeeded to remove her from the ballot.