William J. Madonna, a solo practitioner in the Bronx who was chief counsel to Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, died at home on Friday. He was 55.

Madonna gained recognition as the attorney for the Pelham Parkway Preservation Alliance, working to preserve dozens of trees near and along Pelham Parkway from destruction during a city road project. He also represented area residents in 2012 in suing the city over construction of a sidewalk that narrowed the Pelham Parkway South service road. The suit was ultimately dismissed.

His unexpected passing has left the legal community in the Bronx and elsewhere in shock. Bronx Acting Supreme Court Justice Llinet Rosado said she received more than 100 text messages over the weekend about Madonna's death.