Rick was born in Sea Cliff, New York, a village of 5,000 people.
His father passed away two days after Rick was born, leaving his
mother to raise five small children age 2 days, 2 ½, 4,
6, and 8 years of age as a single parent. Her education as a schoolteacher
allowed her to provide for her family and instill in them the
values that Rick has embraced all his life --- hard work, honesty,
and integrity.
Rick worked his way through Cornell University. After graduating,
he worked in the field of labor relations as a union organizer
with hospital workers. Rick then attended Boston College Law School
where he was Editor-in-Chief of the International & Comparative
Law Review. At graduation from law school, he was honored with
the prestigious St. Thomas More Award, presented to the one student
who best exemplifies the character of the man who refused to put
the King above the law.