Joe Alioto Veronese comes from a long line of public servants, and has continued that tradition as a San Francisco Police Commissioner known for advocating reform and accountability. He is the grandson of former Mayor Joseph L. Alioto and the son of former Supervisor Angela Alioto. As a civil rights lawyer in the family firm, Joe’s Democratic values have led him to fight for and win major anti-discrimination lawsuits. Prior to joining the firm, Joe worked for the San Francisco District Attorney where he managed a team of criminal investigators. While working for the district attorney, Joe helped create a program to keep welfare mothers out of jail, while aggressively pursuing traffickers of food stamps for narcotics and firearms. Joe is currently establishing a separate law group partnering with large firms to serve the public through numerous legal specialties.
Joe's lifelong history of public service includes current roles as Chair of the
Joe's experience reaches across the State Bar district to
Joe became active in the California Democratic Party early in life when his mother served as Vice Chair, working as a personal assistant to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown in his capacity as Chair of the party. A graduate of University of San Francisco School of Law and the
Extended Biography
Knowing the San Francisco Police Commission was in need of serious reform, Mayor Gavin Newsom tapped Joe to bring change in 2004. Since then Joe’s worked 24/7 to reform the Department through increased transparency and accountability. Among other important reforms, Joe brokered a resolution with the Police Officers Association to open up misconduct records to the public without violating the rights of police officers. Under Joe’s watch, the Police Commission adopted the first ever Early Warning System, a multimillion dollar system of tracking and correcting police misconduct.
With Joe’s leadership, the commission has overseen the hiring of 350 new police officers, an increase of nearly 13% of the force. Joe has stood up for an increase in foot patrol and greater community empowerment with the Department. A lifelong environmental advocate, Joe is taking the lead to institute the first ever “green audit” and to phase in the “greening” of the City’s largest vehicle fleet. And he’s working to replace the
Joe made history in April 2007 when he cast the deciding vote to elect Theresa Sparks the first transgender head of a major city commission in the nation.
Joe first became involved in law enforcement when, after graduation both from Fullerton (LAPD) and the
A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Joe is a practicing civil rights attorney admitted in all courts in the State of
He has successfully litigated numerous cases as an attorney in the Law Firm of Mayor Joseph L. Alioto and Angela Alioto, including a recent $25 million verdict against Universal Tobacco Leaf Corporation relating to a fraud whistle blowing matter that was named one of the Top 100 Verdicts of 2006.
The practice focuses on a wide variety of employment claims, including a $132 million race discrimination verdict against Interstate Brands Corp., and a $12 Million verdict against Mary Kay Cosmetics. Representing employees, Joe has successfully litigated and resolved cases involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, disabilities, and whistle blower retaliation claims.
Joe Alioto Veronese has an extensive record of civic involvement in
In April 2006, Joe was again chosen by Mayor Newsom to represent the people of
In 2005, Joe was appointed by California Senator John Burton to the California Commission on Criminal Justice. In this capacity, Joe is working hard to add common sense to overly harsh marijuana enforcement practices so the state can instead use tens of millions of federal dollars to reduce guns, gangs, and violent crime throughout the state.
In 2001, Joe ran for and won the position of Municipal Utility District Director to return public generated electricity back to the municipality, saving millions of dollars for rate payers. He was the top vote getter from a field of 23 candidates and was honored by The San Francisco Bay Guardian as having run "The Best First Campaign."
With the assistance of the CLEAR Project (a San Francisco neighborhood organization committed to strengthening community action by young people, parents and seniors), Joe helped develop the “SAFE Zone” program, promoting safe streets for families, children and seniors in the City’s crime ridden neighborhoods.
From summer 2004 to recently, Joe served on the Board of Directors of the Omega Boys Club. The Omega Boys Club is an after school program for at risk youth in the African American Community, promising entry and full financial support through college graduation of at-risk children committed to the Club’s ideals. To date, the Omega Boys clubs has celebrated the graduations of over 115 of its students from colleges throughout the and beyond.
For over four years, Joe has been the proud owner of a Sonoma County Vineyard and wine company producing Carneros Pinot Noir. Joe’s wine is bottled under the label Verotto.
Joe Alioto Veronese was born in
Named after his grandfather, Mayor Joseph L. Alioto, Joe is the son of Angela Alioto and Adolfo Veronese. Angela Alioto is a successful attorney, former President of the City and
Joe married Julie Gilman in
