Joseph Tacopina

Joseph Tacopina, the founder and Managing Partner of the Manhattan based law firm Tacopina Seigel & Turano, P.C., specializing in criminal, civil, and securities litigation, is widely recognized as one of the “go to” criminal defense attorneys in the country. Tacopina is included in New York Magazine as New York area’s “Top Rated Lawyer,” and named “the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, hardest-working criminal defense attorney going” in a six-page spread in GQ Magazine’s Power section.

Tacopina skyrocketed in the legal profession since his early days as a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, where he prevailed in 39 of 40 trials. After entering private practice, Tacopina displayed his talent not only for criminal defense law, but also in public and press relations, which he has elevated his practice to a new level in the criminal defense field. Tacopina has earned the media’s praise and frequently appears as a much sought after legal analyst by media outlets nationwide, including CNN, NBC, ABC, FoxNews, CNBC, and MSNBC. Tacopina has also headlined Primetime, 48 Hours, E! Entertainment, and Dateline, and served as a special correspondent for 20/20 to investigate the controversial murder prosecution of American exchange student Amanda Knox, in Italy. Notably, CBS's hit show "The Guardian" used Tacopina’s courtroom charm as a model for their main character and, one of James Patterson’s bestselling books, Private #1 Suspect, included Tacopina in Chapter 80 based on his reputation as one of the best criminal defense lawyers. 

Tacopina volunteers his time as an adjunct faculty member at Cardozo Law School's Intense Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) and lectures to audiences nationwide on a variety of legal issues, including speaking before the Saratoga County Bar Association at their Law Day Ceremony. He is a judge for Yale Law School’s Mock Trial Association, and earned a top AV rating by his peers in Martindale Hubbell. Joe has been consistently chosen as one of New York’s Super Lawyers in The New York Times Magazine and was recognized by the Italian American Bar Association as “Man of the Year” for his outstanding achievements. Newsweek Magazine recently named him a nationwide leading attorney while Money Magazine featured him in their Leaders In Securities Law Showcase. The Italian Tribune Executive Board awarded Tacopina the prestigious Christopher Columbus/Publisher’s Award, which has been conferred upon many prominent individuals of Italian heritage for over 40 years including President Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Joe DiMaggio. The International Academy of Cartagine in Rome, Italy, through an evaluation by the Academic Senate of Human and Professional Merits, ceremonially recognized Tacopina for his achievements in business. He has also been recognized for his support of the anti-texting and driving program by the American Heritage School of Boca/Delray. 

Due to his skills and reputation as a premier trial attorney, Tacopina has authored multiple publications on various aspects of trial litigation. Joe wrote articles for both the New York Post and Daily News, and acted as a contributing author to Inside the Minds – Strategies for Defending DWI Cases in New York published by Westlaw and also Take the Witness: The Experts Speak on Cross-Examination, published by Juris Publishing, Inc. Tacopina has tried nearly 100 cases to verdict and recently received one of the largest civil verdicts in New Jersey, as well as an acquittal for a NYPD officer accused of rape and burglary in a case that garnered national media attention.