Judge Cognetti's professional career has been diverse. During law school, he was accepted into the U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program, Antitrust Division. Upon gradution, he served as a Special Trial Attorney for the United States Attorney's Office, Washington, D.C. In March 1974, Judge Cognetti became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, engaged in civil and criminal prosecution.

In 1979, Judge Cognetti shifted his focus to private practice and has engaged in the general practice of law with a high concentration in civil and criminal litigation. While in private practice as a partner in the law firm of Foley, Cognetti, Comerford, Cimini and Cummins, Judge Cognetti continued his government service on a part-time basis as a Special Assistant troubleshooting for the Department of Justice. He is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, various U.S. Courts of Appeals, various U.S. District Courts, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has also served on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Policy Council Violence Prevention.

From 1979 until 1998, Judge Cognetti was also a corporate executive as owner, vice-president and general counsel for Jos. Notarianni & Co., Inc., a fresh fruit and produce wholesaler. He participated in the transition of management and was instrumental in the modernization of this small business, transforming it into a corporation and industry leader. Judge Cognetti also served as Chairman of the Board of First Family Bank, Clifton, New Jersey from 1993 to 1995.

In 2006, Judge Cognetti was appointed by the Supreme Court to be a member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court on which he currently serves.

Judge Sal Cognetti, Jr. was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on October 29, 1947. He graduated from Fordham University in New York City and Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of nine children.

As a native of the area in which he lives and is raising his children, Judge Cognetti has been involved not only in its legal and business communities, but has also contributed his support and preparation to the educational, philanthropic, political and non-profit endeavors within his community.

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