Gianna Santigate

Overview

Gianna Santigate, Esq. has spent the entirety of her professional career serving the 9/11 community. She first joined the Pitta & Baione LLP team as a college intern in 2018. Under the mentorship of partner Matthew J. Baione, she hit the ground running that summer – actively participating in client intake meetings, examining clients in practice appeal hearings, interviewing witnesses, assisting the preparation of claims, and drafting documents for attorney review. This experience inspired her to follow in her mentor’s footsteps – graduating college in only three years so she could shorten the journey to becoming an attorney. After that summer, she knew that it was her calling to serve victims of 9/11 toxins exposure. 

During the following five years, Gianna worked with Pitta & Baione LLP throughout the balance of both her college and law school education until finally being admitted to practice law as an attorney in 2023. She now uses the wealth of experience she gained by focusing solely on her passion to represent 9/11 victims in preparing claims for submission to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, arguing appeals where necessary, and submitting applications to the World Trade Center Health Program. 

Gianna graduated Kutztown University summa cum laude, earning a B.S. from the School of Business and a minor in political science. At Kutztown University, she was a NCAA Division II Varsity Softball player, and served on the Title IX Committee as the sole advocate for nearly 500 student athletes. This experience representing and fighting for the best interests of her peers drove her to pursue a career in law. 

In 2022, Gianna earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from New York Law School, concentrating in business and financial law. During her time in law school, Gianna was nominated to serve as a member of the New York Law School Dispute Resolution Team, which concentrates on alternatives to litigation like the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Gianna competed nationally, honing her skills to better serve victims of 9/11 toxins exposure.