Tony Basilica was kidding — somewhat — one day last week, referring to how his wife, Gwen, never cared about the décor in his office (purchased in 1986) until now.

That's because Basilica, a prominent city attorney and politician, is merely Gwen's husband. It's different now that another member of the family is part of the business.

Gwen is decorating for her son now. Anthony, a 2008 graduate of New London High (and former football player there) is one of the city's newest attorneys, walking the same path as his dad, the man he affectionately calls "Tone," presumably short for Tony.

"Tone offered me a job I couldn't refuse," the younger Basilica, 26, was saying last week, taking a respite from his life that's busier than Times Square.

Anthony graduated from UConn in 2012 as an economics major, later attending law school at Western New England. He's still working on his Masters in Business Administration (two more classes), all while practicing various forms of law (criminal, real estate, personal injury).

Quite the story. Kids sometimes offer an absorbing "eh," when offered with the prospect of doing the same job as a parent. Anthony Basilica, apparently, likes the tones of Tone.

"I grew up with Tone as my father and I saw him involved in a lot of politics and as a lawyer, too," he said. "I like helping people out. A lot of my friends are going through the judicial system and that's creating some business."

Tony Basilica, one of the most influential political figures in the history of the city — he was once called "Boss Basilica" — hardly did much influencing of his son to become an attorney.

"I didn't push him into going to law school," Tony Basilica said. "I wanted it to be his own decision. He came home from college and said, 'I'm taking the LSATS and I think I'm going to law school.'

"Honestly, I told him to go into finance, go to some big city. That's part of the reason why he's doing the MBA as well. But he chose this route. His call. He's done a great job. The idea that he jumped right into law school, is starting his second year toward getting his MBA on top of a law degree, that's pretty good. Makes you think he's got something going."

Anthony spent a summer as his dad's intern, experiencing a high profile criminal case at the time. He learned quickly that the vagaries of becoming an attorney are a little more than Jack McCoy yelling "objection!" on "Law & Order."

"You get into it for helping people," Tony Basilica said. "As a lawyer, you are a social worker, lawyer ... you wear a lot of hats. When you have people come in, whether a personal injury or criminal case, people are upset. You try to calm them down. You're playing a lot of different roles."

And then came the younger Basilica's initial days in court as an actual lawyer.

"At first, it was very nerve wracking in front of the judge," he said. "I was shaking. Now? I'm much more comfortable. I'm talking better, explaining things better. You get to know the prosecutors. It's a little bit of a rush."

Anthony hasn't ruled out a political career like his dad, too.

"I've been judged by probably every person in this town through politics and law," Tony Basilica said.

"When I grew up, I thought everybody loved Tone," Anthony said. "Then when you get older you kind of see things."

They both chuckled at that one.

Either way, Anthony Basilica has succeeded in quite the noble career choice already. He came home. To help people. And follow his dad. Clearly, he was taught well.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.