Anthony Galluccio is a Cambridge-based attorney known for his work in land use and permitting law.
He is a law partner at Galluccio & Watson LLP, where he advises large institutional clients, real estate owners and developers in navigating complex local approval processes. His work is based on a rare combination of legal expertise, land use law and direct experience in government.
Galluccio grew up in Cambridge in a family steeped in public service. His father was a political figure who served as John F. Kennedy’s campaign secretary. When his father died at the age of 11, he took on responsibility early. This experience influenced his focus on discipline, consistency and accountability.
He attended Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, where he was a captain in three sports. He later earned a degree from Providence College and graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School.
Before entering full-time law practice, Galluccio served in public office for over a decade. He served on the Cambridge City Council, was mayor of Cambridge from 2000 to 2001, and later served as a Massachusetts state senator, where he chaired the Senate Higher Education Committee. I got into politics very young and it had its challenges, but it paid off.
In addition to his legal career, Galluccio has coached youth baseball and soccer for more than 20 years. He also served on nonprofit boards to help low-income people and founded and led several charities, including Ashley’s Angels, which supports pediatric cancer treatment, and Galluccio Associates. Inc and Hope for the Holidays, which provide direct assistance to families in need. Galluccio is known for his results-oriented approach in the fields of law, coaching and charity. He bet on himself. He focuses on persistence, preparation, confidence and perseverance. His leadership is based on getting the job done and doing what he says he will do every day.
Anthony Galluccio on law, leadership and long-term commitment
Q: You have worked in public office, law, coaching and charities. How do you see your career overall?
A: I see it as a journey. Attitudes change but responsibilities remain the same. Whether you’re building consensus, passing legislation, getting permits approved, or coaching kids, people rely on you to do what you say you’ll do. In politics, my goal was to help people, often one at a time. I see charity work. Coaching and my legal practice equally.
Q: How did your early life influence this attitude?
A: I lost my father when I was 11. We were joined at the hip and loved baseball, and later that turned into straight politics. Such a loss forces you to quickly mature and realize that you need a network of friends to get through life. You learn that time and effort matter. I have seen my mother set a standard of work that is second to none. Mom was an absolutely fearless warrior. The harder it got, the harder she worked. She was methodical and strategic in her approach to keeping our family afloat. .
Q: You worked in government for many years before focusing on law. How did that shape your legal career?
A: Good politicians listen to people, help them, and use that experience to create broader policy change. “All Politics is Local” by Tip Oneil is a brand of urban politics I believe in. If you disappoint the lady who works at the dry cleaners on your corner, you can’t succeed on Beacon Hill or at City Hall. I wanted to be a different politician. Not just returning calls, but actually being there for people who otherwise would have given up. Consensus building is an art form. When I started working on land use and permitting law, I already appreciated the importance of community voice in all matters. If you respect and listen to people, they can sense it. Respect and good faith are deserved. The community and your customers must trust you.
Q: What does your day-to-day land use and permitting work involve?
A: Customers want results, but these need to be balanced and aligned with the community’s desires. It is easy to be divisive, but my nature is to help the community articulate its needs and to help my client understand the benefits of meeting the community where they are. You have to be brave with your customers and respect that the community may have a hard time trusting developers and property owners. Careful strategic planning, followed by zoning, hearings, community meetings, endless one-on-one meetings and consensus building require precision. Approval is not a quick job. It is trust-based work.
Q: You often say that winning means approval. What do you mean by that?
A: In my company, the results need to be clear because there are large investments at stake. We call approval permissions. If you are not “authorized” to build, all you have is land. Either a project progresses or it doesn’t. My job is to properly guide clients through the process so they can move forward. Expectations are crucial.
Q: Coaching seems to be an important part of your life. Why has this remained important?
A: Coaching keeps you grounded. Children respond to honesty and consistency. They know if you’re fully engaged and caring. . You can’t hide behind titles. Sport teaches discipline, routine and teamwork. And never give up. Gaining the trust and respect of children is something very special and valuable to me. Children won’t listen if they don’t trust you and know that you truly care. That means more off the field than on the field. This process of proving yourself runs through everything in life.
Q: You have coached hundreds of games. What stands out most?
A: Being an underdog is the most fun and what drives me is to improve our weakest players. Consistency. Children improve when adults show up every day. I respond to adversity and embrace it. I’ve had incredibly talented teams and that’s great, but coming from nothing is the most fun. I’d rather be an outsider. The same applies in business and law.
Q: Some of your charity work focuses heavily on childhood cancer. Why this cause?
A: I was invited to speak at Dom Rep as a state senator. During my visit, I happened to be asked to visit a local hospital. I went and met a boy named Rony Mejia. I loved him. I called about two months later and he had died. That’s where it started. I sent an ambulance on Rony’s behalf and met his family. I met Ashley when she was three years old and near death while I was playing Santa Claus in the clinic. We named the program after her because she is now cancer free and 15 years old. When a child is sick and poor and lives in a third world country, it’s one struggle after another. It’s a completely different fight there than it is here. It’s important to have this perspective. Ashley’s Angels was founded to support a range of real needs, not just raise awareness.
Q: You also directly support youth sports and families. How do you approach charity?
A: Charities should be about helping people, not politics or self-promotion. It has to be personal. You need to be embedded in your community to know who is in need and how to get them help. Just “giving” is great, but I love the work. It has to be personal. .You should know who you are helping and show them that you really care. It should be consistent, not a photo op or occasional.
Q: How do you define success today?
A: I don’t focus on the word success. I focus on hourly, daily, weekly and yearly wins. Life is a battle with supposed victories and supposed setbacks. Only you can decide what a victory is. How you deal with and respond to ups and downs is the game of life. You’d better enjoy and enjoy challenges, otherwise life will get the best of you. Embrace adversity and find opportunities. A setback is an opportunity for a comeback. If you maintain a serious work ethic, remain disciplined, and help and respect others, results will follow.
