Paul M. Bangiola was born in Denville, New Jersey. He attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Economics/Business and Anthropology, graduating in 1982. While at Rutgers, Mr. Bangiola was elected to the University Senate, was selected for membership in Who's Who Among America's Colleges and University Students, and chosen to give the commencement address "Excellence through Diversity" on behalf of the student body.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Mr. Bangiola entered law school at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., where he was active in Moot Court. During law school he also clerked for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University in 1985.
After law school, Mr. Bangiola served as law clerk to the Honorable Charles M. Egan, J.S.C., the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division of the Morris County, New Jersey, Superior Court. He was admitted to practice before the New Jersey Supreme Court and the United States District Court for New Jersey in December of 1985. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2011.
Upon completion of his judicial clerkship in 1986, Mr. Bangiola entered private practice, gaining experience and a reputation as a trial lawyer, handling insurance defense cases for insurance companies, and plaintiff's personal injury matters, Municipal Court, DWI, Superior Court Criminal Defense cases, Election Contests, complex Commercial Litigation, and highly challenging Estate Litigation and Will contests. He has extensive experience in both jury and non-jury cases. Mr. Bangiola has represented buyers and sellers in a myriad of business and real estate transactions. Mr. Bangiola has served as Prosecutor for the Borough of Morris Plains (1988) and the Town of Morristown (1990-1998), and been called upon to substitute for other prosecutors in many other towns when needed as a Special Prosecutor. Because of the diversity of his experience, he has been repeatedly appointed by the New Jersey Superior Court as Attorney Trustee, charged with taking over and winding up all pending legal matters in cases of attorney neglect, disability, and death, entrusted with the protection of other attorneys' clients and the public under various emergent and difficult circumstances. From 2005-2009, he represented the Town of Morristown in Affordable Housing Compliance matters, code enforcement, and zoning prosecutions.
Mr. Bangiola was formerly active in politics. In 1981 he was elected to the Morris County Democratic Committee from Morris Plains. In 1989 he served as public relations director for a successful campaign for Mayor of Morristown. In 1998, after serving eight years as Morristown Municipal Prosecutor, Mr. Bangiola successfully ran as a reform candidate for Chairman of the Morris County Democratic Committee, representing Democrats in Morris County's 39 municipalities. He was reelected in 2000, and served though 2002. In 2000, Mr. Bangiola represented the State of New Jersey as a Presidential Elector in the Electoral College.
A prolific writer and public speaker, Mr. Bangiola has been a frequent newspaper columnist and radio talk show guest on New Jersey Cablevision's Meet the Leaders television program. He hosted a cable access television program, "The Morris County Democratic Voice" from 2000 through 2002. Mr. Bangiola has been a guest lecturer on party politics and government at Rutgers University, Drew University, and the County College of Morris. He has served as a panelist at continuing legal education programs on estate administration, and office automation.
Mr. Bangiola resides in Morristown with his wife of 38 years, Nancy M. Bangiola, Esq., also an attorney. They have raised three adult children, Paul M. Jr., Gloria Elizabeth, and Aldo Joseph. He is a past Scoutmaster of Boy Scout troop 34 in Morristown (the father of two Eagle Scouts), and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Assumption Parish in Morristown. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Harmonium Choral Society and is past president of the Shakespeare Club of Morristown est. 1876.