Joseph “Joe” Zumpano, born in Schenectady, New York, is a distinguished attorney, former athlete, and community leader. A graduate of Belen Jesuit (Salutatorian, Class of 1987), he attended Harvard University, graduating cum laude, and won the All-Ivy Title in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1988, sharing the title in a tied race down to the 100th of a second. He later earned a law degree from Georgetown and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins.
Joe married the love of his life – Grace in 1997. Together they have 3 children – Andrea, Lucas and Jesse. Asked what has been most important about their lives – it has been raising their three children to become the wonderful people they are today. Their youngest son Jesse was diagnosed with severe autism at just 20 months old in 2004, and yet together they consider themselves blessed to: “Have the honor as parents and stewards of raising Jesse, a wonderful example of a beautiful loving heart and a pure soul.”
Joe is President of Zumpano Patricios, a prominent law firm headquartered in Coral Gables, with six (6) offices throughout the United States. Grace is a Senior Partner at the firm. Joe is also Chairman of the ZP Land Holdings Companies, which hold properties developed and re-developed throughout South Florida, New York City, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and The Bahamas.
Joe and his law partner Leon Patricios have been recognized for major legal victories in anti-terrorism and health care law. As reported in the Miami Herald “Zumpano has made a career out of high-profile and tangled international cases…”. In Weininger v. Castro, representing the daughter of a murdered CIA pilot, Joe and Leon recovered almost $24 million against Fidel Castro, Raul Castro and the Army of Cuba. In Caballero v. FARC, et. al. Joe became the first attorney in United States history to recover against a Mexican cartel on behalf of a victim of terrorism under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.
Joe was also the only attorney in the United States to be named in the field of health law to the inaugural list of Forbes’ Top 200 Lawyers and has been listed among the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States (Hispanic Business Magazine, 2003). He has been elected as a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Grace’s legal career has been marked by prominent success in family law matters, civil litigation, and real estate law. Her mentorship of younger lawyers has been a hallmark in her career drawing thanks and gratitude from many interns, law clerks, and other attorneys at the firm.
Beyond their legal work, Joe and Grace have demonstrated their love of our South Florida Community through their efforts and philanthropy. Joe led the rescue of 22 Cuban migrants in 2007, which helped them secure their freedom under the then U.S. 'dry-foot' policy. He went on to lead the development of the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center at Belen. In 2024, Casa Manresa honored Joe and his wife Grace by naming Zumpano Hall after them.
CARD has been a vital part of their family’s autism journey. At a time when few had basic understandings of autism, CARD provided essential support, guidance, and advocacy. Over the years, CARD helped with everything from educational assessments to emotional support for Jesse’s siblings, Lucas and Andrea, who participated in sibling support groups. Dr. Jennifer Durocher and Dr. Michael Alessandri personally supported the family, demonstrating CARD’s deep commitment and love for the Zumpano Family and the South Florida autism community.
Haley Moss is this year’s CARD Gala honoree. As life would have it, Haley began her legal career at Zumpano Patricios. The firm hired Haley – the first openly autistic attorney to join the Florida Bar. At her swearing-in, Joe Zumpano told her, “As an attorney, you will have the opportunity to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Haley went on to become a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, continuing the spirit of speaking for others who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Zumpano Patricios’ decision to hire Haley, and her journey with the firm from Law Clerk to Attorney, received extensive media coverage which helped bring neurodiversity in the workforce to the forefront of national conversation and reflection.
To this day CARD and the South Florida Community remain proud of Haley’s accomplishments and the lasting example the firm and Haley have set together.
