Joseph Paul Secola was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Pasquale Anthony Secola and Anna Maria Secola. Raised in Connecticut, he developed an early interest in law and public service that later shaped both his professional career and his involvement in civic and educational institutions within the state.
Secola earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Fairfield University in 1981. He completed his legal education with a Juris Doctor degree from Oral Roberts University in 1984, qualifying for admission to the bar shortly thereafter.
Following his admission to the Connecticut bar in 1984, Secola entered private legal practice in Brookfield, Connecticut, where he has practiced continuously since that time. Over the course of his career, he has been admitted to practice before numerous jurisdictions, including the bars of New York and Virginia, the United States District Courts for Connecticut and New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
In addition to his private practice, Secola has held judicial office as Judge of Probate for the District of Brookfield, a position he has served in since 2001. His career reflects a combination of litigation, probate law, and public trust responsibilities.
He has served on the Board of Education for the City of Milford, Connecticut, from 1989 to 1990, and on the board of Greater Danbury Catholic Elementary Schools from 1992 to 1996. Secola is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association, the Litchfield County Bar Association, and the Greater Danbury Bar Association.
Joseph Paul Secola married Mary Alice Ipavich on June 20, 1982. They have six children: Peter Secola, Sharon Secola, Mary Joy Secola, Timothy Secola, Paul Secola, and Andrew Secola.
