Over 50 Years of experience

A Distinguished
New Jersey Law Firm

Gruccio, Pepper, De Santo & Ruth P.A. building

JAMES J. GRUCCIO SR. ESQ.

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  • President
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856-692-4095
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     James J. Gruccio, Sr., President of the law firm of Gruccio, Pepper, De Santo & Ruth, PA, is a lifelong resident of Vineland, New Jersey. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College, Philadelphia, Pa. with a Bachelor of Science in International Politics. He obtained his law degree from Villanova University School of Law.

     Mr. Gruccio began his law career as a partner in the firm becoming president in 1972. He served as the Prosecutor of the City of Vineland for 8 years. He also served as the Vineland Solicitor and Director of the Legal Department. Other professional positions held by Mr. Gruccio include Vineland Economic Development Solicitor; Member Board of Trustees of the Delaware Valley Council; Chairman Regional Board of Directors of First Peoples Bank of New Jersey; Member Federal Magistrate Appointment Committee; and Solicitor of the Landis Sewerage Authority.

     He currently continues to serve higher education at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law as a Member on the John Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and as a Member of the University’s Board of Consultors.

     He was a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney from 1984 - 2021. The areas of his practice include general counsel to numerous private corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities including banks and insurance companies. He has been personal counsel to Superior Court and Municipal Court Judges, as well as to attorneys and physicians in disciplinary proceedings before various professional review boards. In addition, he has been trial counsel and general counsel in business disputes, shareholder disputes, corporate dissolutions, oppressed shareholder litigation, and personal injury and products liability litigation. Mr. Gruccio enjoys an AV Rating in a national attorney rating service which signifies the highest possible rating by his peers based upon experience, the nature of the practice, and qualifications relevant to the profession. The rating also indicates faithful adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics.

     He has been routinely appointed by various Courts as Special Discovery Master and Fund Administration. In addition to his General Equity litigation and business practice, Mr. Gruccio has served many years as a mediator of complex commercial and contract litigation cases.

     Mr. Gruccio was a Charter Member of the Board of Trustees of the Big Brothers of Vineland Association; Member of the Police Athletic League Board; Sponsor of Annual Awards Dinner for Boy Scouts of America; Fundraiser and Volunteer for the American Heart Association; American Cancer Society; Boy Scouts of America; and Sacred Heart Church, Vineland, New Jersey, Building Fund. He has served as a Lecturer in the Civil Trial Practice Classes at the Widener University School of Law and has taught Paralegal Courses at the Cumberland County Community College.

Areas of Practice

  • Special Outside Counsel to Higher Education Institutions
  • Counsel to private and public business entities including lending institutions, insurance companies, governmental entities, multi-dealer automotive groups and physician practices groups
  • Shareholder Disputes
  • Major Mall Landlord and Tenant Leasing and Leasehold Disputes
  • Fiscal Agent, Special Discovery Master
  • Custodial Receiver and Provisional Director in complex litigation

Education

  • St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • B.S.
  • Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania
    • J.D.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • New Jersey State Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section, Member
  • New Jersey State Bar Association Judicial Selection Committee
  • Cumberland County Bar Association (Former President and Trustee)
  • American Bar Association
  • Supreme Court Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • American Arbitration Association
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • American Board of Trial Advocates

Past Employment Positions

  • City of Vineland, Prosecutor
  • City of Vineland Department of Law, Director
  • City of Vineland Redevelopment Agency , Solicitor
  • City of Vineland Economic Development Corporation , Solicitor
  • Landis Sewerage Authority, Vineland, New Jersey, Solicitor

Pro Bono Activities

  • Bank Board Chairman
  • Federal Magistrate Appointment Committee
  • Co-Founder of County Big Brothers Org
  • Pro bono Counsel to Church organizations
  • Rowan University Board of Trustees Member 2000-2013
  • Board Chairman 2011-2012
  • Legal Committee Chairman
  • Budget & Finance Committee Chairman
  • Board Member, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law John F. Scarpa Center for Law & Entrepreneurship
  • Member, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Board of Consultors