William J. Ciancaglini

William J. Ciancaglini (January 16, 1971) is an American lawyer currently practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ciancaglini is best known for the public controversy surrounding his founding of The Men's Law Caucus in Temple University's James J. Beasley School of Law in 2002. Furor over the creation of The Men's Law Caucus prompted an unsuccessful impeachment hearing for Ciancaglini's position as SBA President of the Beasley School of Law.

Again, in 2007, after a brief political career, Ciancaglini received the media spotlight in a landmark case versus The Philadelphia Turf Club, a subsidiary of Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack. In 2009, Dittus v. Philadelphia Turf Club was decided in Ciancaglini's favor before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Early life

William Joseph Ciancaglini was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 16, 1971. After graduating from Saint John Neumann High School in 1988, Ciancaglini enrolled in La Salle University and was a member of the varsity wrestling team during that year. After two semesters at La Salle, Ciancaglini discontinued his college education and earned an associate's degree in electronic technology from Pennco Technical Institute in Bristol, PA. Reluctant to pursue employment in electronics technology, Ciancaglini sought employment in the casino gaming industry.

As an original dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, Ciancaglini worked extensively as a craps dealer, later following this trade to Atlantic City for Trump's Castle and the Atlantic City Hilton. William dealt craps until autumn 1996, when he reembarked on his education.

Ciancaglini enrolled in Community College of Philadelphia from 1996 until 1998 before rejoining a full schedule at La Salle University for the Fall of 1998 semester. During this period at La Salle, Ciancaglini was a member of the La Salle Explorers ice hockey team. In the spring of 2000, Ciancaglini graduated from La Salle with a bachelor's degree in English and was prepared to enter law school.

Temple University Beasley School of Law

Ciancaglini, then-commonly referred to as "Billy C.", began his post-graduate education at the Temple University James J. Beasley School of Law in 2000. It was during the first semester at Beasley when Ciancaglini became interested in politics. After joining Beasley's Justinian Society for students of Italian lineage, he organized numerous events promoting prominent guest speakers and general advancement of the group.

In 2001, during Ciancaglini's second year, he unsuccessfully ran for the position of Student bar association (SBA) president. Undeterred by this setback, he was then elected as 2L President for the entirety of the second-year class, as well as President of the Beasley chapter of the Justinian Society. Shortly thereafter, Ciancaglini was also selected among an elite group of students to encompass the Moot Court Honor Society. In 2003, on behalf of the Moot Court Honor Society, Ciancaglini traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to compete in a national competition based on appellate immigration law.

While still serving as a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and during his second year as President of the Beasley chapter of the Justinian Society, Ciancaglini again ran for the position of SBA President. This time, he was victorious. Ciancaglini's reign as SBA President was mostly a social success; however, conflict with Beasley administrators regarding the founding of The Men's Law Caucus provided a lengthy media frenzy.

The Men's Law Caucus

During the Spring of 2002, Ciancaglini's role as SBA President included overseeing the vast sum of money collected as part of Beasley's 'Student Activity Fund.' While cognizant of the largest portion of this Fund being allotted to The Women's Law Caucus, Ciancaglini founded The Men's Law Caucus.

With a relaxed social agenda, The Men's Law Caucus was open to male and female members equally. However, on February 5, 2003, a diverse group of Beasley students presented concerns to the administration in a presentation that was intended to draw attention to their unease regarding a climate of discrimination and hostility on campus. Many observers felt the objection to the atmosphere had more to do with Ciancaglini personally than with the campus climate, as reporter Deborah Bolling uncovered. Nonetheless, Ciancaglini was now receiving front-page headlines while still in law school, as the March 13, 2003, edition of the Philadelphia City Paper enticed readers with "The Saga of Billy C." on the cover.

Ultimately, Ciancaglini was accused of misusing the Student E-mail Listserv for unauthorized personal reasons and was brought before the SBA Board of Governors for the purposes of an impeachment hearing to unseat him as SBA President. The Editor of the newspaper Class Action took a harsh stance against the procedure of the impeachment motion and declared that Ciancaglini was "blatantly unpopular in certain circles" and noted "no doubt about it, that [P]resident is a button pusher." After arguing his case to the SBA Board on February 24, 2003, a vote as taken and Ciancaglini prevailed and remained SBA President.

However, the drama surrounding The Men's Law Caucus and Ciancaglini's SBA Presidency created seemingly endless media attention. While covering the issue for Philadelphia magazine, staff writer Jason Fagone "spoke to more than 30 sources" while preparing his article. Viewpoints were divided strongly both for and against Ciancaglini. In the issue following Philadelphia magazine's initial coverage of this tumultuous situation, the periodical printed letters from Beasley students representing both sides of the controversy, equally as passionate.

Regardless, the controversy over The Men's Law Caucus simply would not end. Ciancaglini appeared as the only guest on the television program 48 Update to further air the issues. Host Katherine Pew presented both side of this debate over the course of the hour-long television program and the controversy, along with Ciancaglini's term as SBA President, gradually came to a natural ending.

Months later, Ciancaglini would take and pass his first Pennsylvania Bar Examination, causing another round of media activity. Despite being found the equivalent of Not Guilty before the SBA Board, Citypaper heralded the accomplishment with a headline of "Temple's 'Bad Boy' law student passes the Bar.'" Regardless of his numerous detractors, many in the Italian-American community of South Philadelphia were displeased with the media's portrayal of Ciancaglini. In April 2004, The Italian Newspaper declared that "[d]espite all of this negative press, William Ciancaglini, Esq. is still grinning. The media attempts to slander him failed and he has started his own firm."

Political career

After graduating from Beasley School of Law, Ciancaglini tried his hand at local Philadelphia politics. Undeterred by the SBA Presidential term and resulting scandal, he became a Democratic Committeeman for the 26th District in Philadelphia. The Beasley School, which once denounced Ciancaglini, now applauded his accomplishment in the Summer 2004 edition of Temple, Esq. Perhaps uninspired by a lack of controversy and his former nemesis now declaring his praises, Ciancaglini finished his term as Democratic Committeeman and declined to seek reelection.

Legal Practice

As Ciancaglini leaned toward the criminal defense aspect of the law, his first inclination was to apply for a position with the Philadelphia Public Defender's Association. However, while attending a 'new-hire training session' at his hopeful office of future employment, a job opportunity arose unexpectedly. Legendary Philadelphia defense attorney Joseph Santaguida became aware of Ciancaglini's legal acumen and offered the young attorney a position as an intern. Under the watchful eye of the experienced Santaguida, Ciancaglini became proficient in the art of criminal defense law. Eventually, after several years learning under Santaguida's tutelage, Ciancaglini began his own legal practice in the much-maligned area of criminal defense. Santaguida remained a mentor, as the two continued their friendship.

Despite practicing almost exclusively in criminal defense, Ciancaglini's next media frenzy would come from a landmark civil lawsuit. The legal precedent and implications of the verdict heavily outweigh the modest amount being contested over the span of several years. On February 6, 2006, a seemingly simple wager on a horse race would become a hot-button issue for future disputes in Contract law.

Danielle Dittus, Ciancaglini's client, was working as a teller at The Turf Club, a subsidiary of Philadelphia Park Casino and Race Track when a customer orally placed a wager on a particular horse race. Dittus mistakenly gave the customer the wrong ticket and promptly refunded his funds. Moments later, the erroneous ticket was a winner, the prize was $14,168.90, and it was still in Dittus' hands. The Turf Club claimed that tellers could not "gamble" while working, thus, they could not win and collect proceeds. Ciancaglini disagreed.

After successfully persuading a board of arbitrators towards his rationale, Ciancaglini momentarily proved the axiom that "possession is 9/10 of the law" and Dittus was awarded the full amount in dispute. An Appeal and jury trial followed. Ciancaglini and Dittus again prevailed. Yet another Appeal followed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. After submitting legal briefs and orally arguing before a three-Justice panel, Ciancaglini's side still held true. The Turf Club Appealed yet again. The case is currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court while others with similar claims await the eventual final outcome.

The Dittus case again put Ciancaglini in the midst of a media blitz. The Philadelphia Daily News first covered the details of this issue on March 15, 2007. Both sides of the dispute, as well as the rules governing such an occurrence, were presented. Again, Ciancaglini found his exploits on the front page as the Philadelphia Daily News proclaimed "Winner's a Loser at Turf Club" on the very top of its cover page.

Bykofsky's article only fanned the flames and readers then instantly debated the issue over the radio airwaves that same day. The next morning, Ciancaglini was a guest on The Michael Smerconish Morning Show on WPHT 1210 AM in Philadelphia. Callers again were split both pro and con over a controversial issue, and Ciancaglini was again at the center. As the lawsuit continued its journey through Pennsylvania courts, public interest and legal importance only intensified.

The enormity of the legal precedent far outweighs the monetary proceeds at stake. The finality of this matter eventually arrived three years after its origination. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dittus. Ciancaglini had achieved significant reform in Contract Law.

Currently, William Ciancaglini practices in Philadelphia and is focused primarily in the area of Criminal Defense.