Edward De Fazio (Courtesy photo)

After a long career in public service, former Superior Court Judge and Hudson County Prosecutor Edward J. De Fazio has entered private practice as of counsel at Bruno & Ferraro in Rutherford.

The move became effective Nov. 1, according to a firm announcement.

"It's been a very rewarding run in public service," De Fazio said in a statement, "and I feel I have more left in me to offer to this great profession. The firm of Bruno & Ferraro has welcomed me with open arms and the feeling is mutual. I look forward to contributing to their successes and using my experience in private practice."

Following his time as a legal intern, De Fazio launched his legal career and became an assistant prosecutor in Hudson County in 1978, eventually serving as chief of the homicide unit. He left in 1989 to become chief judge of the Jersey City Municipal Court but later returned to the office, where he would serve a decade as first assistant to then-Hudson County Prosecutor Carmen Messano. He was later appointed Hudson County prosecutor himself, serving two five-year terms. De Fazio was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 2012 and served for seven years.

A Seton Hall University Law School alum and a lifelong Hudson County resident, De Fazio said the move into private practice was the next logical step for him and his family.

"My wife, Pat, and I thought this would be a good fit for me and an opportunity for the next step in my career in the law," De Fazio said. "John [Bruno] and Bob [Ferraro] impress me for building a reputable law firm whose success and growth has increased dramatically over the years. This is exactly the type of atmosphere that I am interested in, and they feel as equally confident that I can be a significant asset."

Bruno & Ferraro was founded 40 years ago by high school classmates John J. Bruno, Jr. and Robert Ferraro. Bruno and four of the firm's attorneys specialize in a full range of criminal defense, as well as DWI and municipal court cases, according to the release on De Fazio's hiring.

The seven-attorney general practice firm also serves as counsel to several public entities, including as city attorney and planning board attorney.