Joseph J. Scoleri III

Joseph J. Scoleri III

Assistant Chief Counsel

Joseph’s primary duty is to serve as the first line supervisor for the attorneys in the Department’s Office of Legal Services, the statewide unit that represents the Department at administrative hearings related to ABC’s licensing and enforcement activities.

Joseph brings a wealth of experience in criminal law to the ABC team, having served alternatively in prosecution and defense roles for nearly 20 years. Throughout the criminal law stages of his career, Joseph saw numerous instances of the impacts alcohol can have on communities and individuals. Joseph devotes special attention to the Department’s enforcement priority to prevent youth access to alcohol, given the tragic and life-changing consequences that can result from alcohol violations involving juveniles and minors.

In addition to his work in the California criminal justice system, from 2007 to 2012 Joseph worked in the provinces of Afghanistan as part of the U.S. State Department’s Justice Sector Support Program (JSSP). With the indispensable aid of JSSP’s Afghan attorneys and translators, Joseph provided training and worksite mentoring for local police investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. Serving in JSSP left Joseph with a renewed commitment to ensuring excellence in public service. Following the Taliban regime’s return to power in 2021, Joseph has worked tirelessly with other citizen volunteers to aid his former Afghan team members seeking to immigrate to the United States via the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.

Joseph has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Santa Clara and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Santa Clara School of Law.