Joe Tacopina

Raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Tacopina attended Poly Prep[2] and Skidmore College,[3] before graduating in 1991 from law school at the University of Bridgeport (now Quinnipiac University School of Law).[4]

Joseph Tacopina is the senior partner and lead trial attorney at his Manhattan based law firm, "Tacopina Seigel & DeOreo".

Mr. Tacopina began his career as a prosecutor in Brooklyn, where he won 39 of 40 trials he led. After moving into private practice, he became known as the go-to advocate for high-profile clients dealing with situations that capture the public’s attention.[5]

Tacopina has represented many high profile clients, including New York Yankees Third basemen Alex Rodriguez[6] and Joran van der Sloot,[7] who was the suspect in the mysterious disappearance of Natalee Holloway,[8] an American high schooler in Aruba, Melanie McGuire, Pop Artist Michael Jackson,[9] Italian sailor Chico Forti,[10] actor Lillo Brancato,[11] Fox News Anchor Sean Hannity, New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate[12] and Kimberly Guilfoyle.[13] Tacopina has also represented NFL team Washington Commanders and football team owner Daniel Snyder[14]

Tacopina was instrumental in helping vindicate his client Meek Mill.[15] Mill's case sparked a national debate on criminal justice reform. Jay-Z, another Tacopina client, voiced his thoughts on the unjust system that seemingly targets minorities by keeping them in legal limbo.

Tacopina was the lead trial attorney in 2019 representing Nauman Hussain, who was charged with criminally negligent homicide in the previous year's Schoharie limousine crash.[16][17]

Tacopina has collaborated with many US television networks, he is a commentator for Fox News, CNN, Newsmax, MSNBC and has served as envoy as "legal correspondent" of American television ABC to Perugia to follow the Amanda Knox Case.[18] Tacopina can also be heard on his weekly appearances on WABC Radio's Bernie & Sid Morning Show in New York.[19]

In a six-page spread in GQ Magazine's Power section, Tacopina was described as “the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, hardest-working criminal defense attorney going.”.[20] He appeared as an attorney on the American reality television prime time court show, You the Jury,.[21]

In 2018, National Action Network,[22] Rev. Al Sharpton's civil rights organization, named Tacopina Humanitarian of the Year. “The Triumph Awards are a yearly opportunity to recognize and celebrate high-profile figure that are both successful leaders in their fields as well as staunch advocates for equality and justice,” Sharpton said.[23] He was also named to Billboard's Top Most Influential People in Hip Hop.[24] That same year Tacopina was named Man of the Year by New York State's Commission for Social Justice.

Tacopina was honored in 2020 by New York's 13th congressional district as "one of the most decorated, effective, well-respected criminal defense lawyers in the United States today."[25]

The Guardian, a legal TV drama that was inspired by Tacopina's courtroom style ran for four seasons on CBS from 2001 to 2004.[26]

Tacopina began representing former president Donald Trump in early 2023.[27][28]

In 2011, Tacopina was part of the American consortium led by Thomas R. DiBenedetto to become the owner of A.S. Roma, and became the vice-chairman of the board of directors in October 2011. The position of vice-chairman was removed circa 2012–13 season, but Tacopina remained as a member of the board, as well as a member of the internal control committee. On September 8, 2014 he resigned from the Board of Directors of Roma.[29]

A preliminary agreement to acquire Bologna F.C. 1909 was signed on September 17, 2014, which was formalized on October 8 by the Board on Bologna FC. On October 15, Tacopina officially assumed the post of President of the Bologna Football Club.[30][31] On November 17, 2014, Joey Saputo was appointed chairman;.[30] Tacopina maintained his role as president until he resigned in October 2015.[30]

He purchased Italian club Venezia F.C. in October 2015.[32] He sold his shares and resigned in January 2020.[33]

Tacopina became the first President in Italian football history to win three promotions in a row (Bologna 2014–2015; Venezia 2015–16, 2016–2017).

Tacopina has held executive positions on four Italian Football Clubs. He is currently president and chairman of the board of S.P.A.L.[34] He was president and board member of Venezia FC (2015-2020), previously President and board member of Bologna FC (2014 -2015 ),[35] and was the former vice president and board member of AS Roma (2011-2014).

On August 13, 2021, he became president and owner of Italian football club S.P.A.L.[36]

Tacopina, together with his wife Patricia and their five children, has been a resident of Westport, Connecticut, where his home includes an indoor ice skating rink.[4]