Joseph Tacopina stands as a preeminent figure in the legal world, recognized as the senior partner at his firm and a formidable lead trial attorney. His expertise is not confined to the courtroom; he also imparts his extensive knowledge as a faculty member at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. At Harvard, he hones the trial skills of aspiring lawyers, emphasizing his signature potent cross-examination techniques.
Mr. Tacopina’s career is marked by a remarkable track record, having successfully navigated over 100 cases, solidifying his reputation as one of the nation’s most esteemed high-stakes trial attorneys. His practice spans a broad spectrum, encompassing civil, criminal, and commercial litigation. In each case, he is known for his unwavering dedication to his clients’ interests, often securing substantial financial recoveries on their behalf.
His legal journey began in Brooklyn, where as a prosecutor, Mr. Tacopina demonstrated exceptional prowess, winning 39 out of 40 trials. This early success was a precursor to his achievements in private practice, where his winning streak continued to grow. He rapidly became known as a shrewd courtroom strategist and the preferred advocate for high-profile individuals facing public scrutiny. Mr. Tacopina has built a reputation as a fierce litigator, zealously representing a diverse clientele including athletes, politicians, actors, corporate executives, musicians, judges, law enforcement officials, and other public figures. His notable client list includes former President Donald J. Trump, the Washington Commanders NFL team and its former owner Daniel Snyder, Michael Jackson, Alex Rodriguez, Meek Mill, YG, Sean Hannity, Don Imus, Swiss Beatz, Ne-Yo, Sarah Wallace, Kimberly Guilfoyle, DeMaurice Smith, and A$AP Rocky.
Beyond the courtroom, Joe Tacopina excels in managing public perception and adeptly navigates the media landscape for his clients. He is equally skilled at shielding clients from unwanted media attention when necessary. His involvement in numerous high-profile cases has captured national attention, such as his successful efforts to secure rapper Meek Mill’s release from prison, the investigation into the disappearance of Baby Lisa Irwin, Major League Baseball’s inquiry into Alex Rodriguez, and the acquittal of Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato on murder charges.
Mr. Tacopina is a frequent commentator on major national media outlets, including CNN, FOX, and Newsmax, providing legal insights and analysis. He also shares his perspectives and engages with the public through weekly appearances on WABC Radio’s Sid & Friends in the Morning in New York.
Further underscoring his commitment to the legal profession, Mr. Tacopina is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the Federal Bar Council, the New York Counsel of Defense Lawyers, and the Judicial Committee for the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He also contributes to legal policy as a member of the Legislative Committee for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Mr. Tacopina’s distinguished career has been recognized with numerous accolades. He has been honored by the National Italian American Bar Association and named Humanitarian of the Year by Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. He received the Man of the Year award from New York State’s Commission for Social Justice and was listed among Billboard’s Top 100 Power Players in R&B and Hip-Hop. The Hollywood Reporter has also recognized him as one of the Top 35 Lawyers. Consistently named a New York Super Lawyer, an accolade for attorneys demonstrating excellence, Mr. Tacopina also holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer recognition in the legal profession.
Accolades and Testimonials for Joe Tacopina
The legal prowess of Joe Tacopina is not only recognized through formal awards but is also widely acknowledged by media outlets, fellow professionals, and clients alike. His reputation is solidified by a chorus of endorsements highlighting his exceptional skills and effectiveness as a lawyer.
- Fox News: “One of the most prominent trial attorneys in America.”
- Meek Mill: “Joe Tacopina taught me that sometimes, you’ve got to go to war.”
- Sean Hannity, Fox News: “One of the great defense attorneys of all time.”
- The Wall Street Journal: “Tacopina ranks among a group of top criminal defense lawyers.”
- Rikki Klieman, CBS News Legal Analyst: “One of the great trial lawyers in America who wins cases that nobody else could win.”
- Don Imus, Imus in the Morning: “Tacopina’s unbelievable. The guy works magic. He is the real deal. He’s not to be messed with.”
- Business Insider: “Joe Tacopina, a New York Defense Attorney famous for getting acquittals in high-profile cases.”
- Ashleigh Banfield, CNN: “Joe Tacopina, the best in the business.”
- NY Daily News: “Tacopina’s the kind of lawyer who makes you want to get into trouble so he can defend you.”
- Sid Rosenberg, WABC Radio: “The best defense attorney in the country.”
- ABC Primetime: “High profile, high powered New York defense attorney.”
- Reverend Al Sharpton: “One of the best attorneys in the country.”
- Crain’s New York Business: “A top New York criminal defense lawyer.”
- The New York Times: “Mr. Tacopina is to the defense bar what Donald Trump is to real estate.”
- The Today Show: “Joe Tacopina, defense attorney…one of the best.”
- USA Today: “Elevated to the upper level of prominence.”
- Soledad O’Brien, CNN: “One of the country’s top attorneys.”
- Don Imus, Imus in the Morning: “Joe Tacopina, one of the go to defense lawyers in America.”
- NY Daily News: “One of New York’s fiercest defenders.”
- New York Post: “Top-shelf, high powered litigator.”
- Don Imus: “When you hire Joe Tacopina—it’s over.”
- Geraldo Rivera, Fox News: “Joe Tacopina is one of New York’s best criminal defense attorneys.”
- Bernie and Sid In The Morning: “The most famous defense attorney in the country.”
- GQ Magazine: “Joe is different…he wins.”
- NBC News: “He’s a T-Rex in shark’s clothing with the mind of Perry Mason.”
- Bernie and Sid In The Morning: “He’s the best defense attorney in the country.”
Professional Associations of Joe Tacopina
Mr. Tacopina’s commitment to the legal field is further demonstrated through his affiliations with numerous professional associations:
- Federal Bar Council, Member
- New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, Committee on Federal Legislation
- Judicial Committee for the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Member
- New York State Court Officers Association, Of Counsel
- Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Assistant District Attorney, 1991 to 1994
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Coordinator at Large, Legislative Committee
Honors Awarded to Joe Tacopina
Joe Tacopina’s contributions and excellence in law have been formally recognized through various prestigious honors:
- National Italian American Bar Association’s Man of the Year
- Rated by Super Lawyers
- AV Preeminent Peer Rating by Martindale Hubbell
- Humanitarian of the Year by The National Action Network, 2019
- Man of the Year award, New York State’s Commission for Social Justice, 2019
- Billboard’s Top Most Influential People in Hip Hop
- Named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 35 Lawyers, 2022
Bar Admissions for Joe Tacopina
Mr. Tacopina is admitted to practice law in multiple jurisdictions, showcasing the breadth of his legal reach:
- New York
- Connecticut
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court District of Connecticut
Classes & Seminars Led by Joe Tacopina
As a thought leader and educator, Joe Tacopina dedicates time to shaping the next generation of lawyers through various teaching engagements:
- Faculty Member, Harvard Law School, Trial Advocacy Workshop
- All-Stars of the Courtroom Forum, St. Thomas University School of Law, 2019
- Law in the Limelight: A Career of High-Profile Cases, Sacred Heart University, 2020
- Presentations for members of the New York State Bar Association, National Council of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Federal Bar Council
In conclusion, Joe Tacopina is not just a lawyer; he is a legal force. His extensive experience, high success rate, representation of prominent clients, media acumen, and numerous accolades position him as a leading trial attorney. His commitment to the legal profession extends beyond his practice to education and leadership roles, making him a significant figure in the American legal landscape.
