Joe Tacopina


Joseph Tacopina is an American criminal defense lawyer, media personality, and professional sports executive known for involvement in professional football club management.

Early life and education

Tacopina was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian immigrants Cosmo Tacopina and Josephine Tacopina. His father, originally from Rome, sold packing boxes; his mother, originally from Palermo, was an accountant with the New York City Fire Department.
Tacopina was raised in Sheepshead Bay, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. He attended the private Jewish day school Yeshiva of Flatbush. He later attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn, then Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, before graduating in 1991 from the University of Bridgeport law school.
Tacopina currently teaches trial skills at Harvard Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop and resides in Westport, Connecticut.

Legal career

Tacopina is a name partner and lead trial attorney at his Manhattan-based law firm, Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo. Tacopina began his legal career as a prosecutor in Brooklyn before transitioning to private practice, where he represented clients in criminal and civil cases. Tacopina' legal practice has included representation of Alex Rodriguez, Joran van der Sloot, Michael Jackson, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, among others. He has also represented NFL team Washington Commanders and team owner Daniel Snyder.
In 2019, he served as lead trial attorney for Nauman Hussain in a high-profile criminal case. Tacopina represented Julian Khater, who had maced three police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In 2023, Tacopina represented then-former U.S. President Donald Trump in criminal and civil matters in New York, including proceedings related to state investigations.

Media appearances and mentions

Tacopina appeared as legal commentator for ABC in Perugia following the Amanda Knox case and has also appeared as an attorney on the American reality television court show, You the Jury. In 2018, he was named on Billboard most influential people in hip hop list, recognizing his work with clients in the music industry. Tacopina can be heard on WABC Radio's weekly show, Sid & Friends in the Morning, in New York.

Association football

In 2011, he was part of the American consortium led by Thomas R. DiBenedetto that purchased A.S. Roma, with Tacopina becoming vice-chairman of the board of directors, in October 2011. On September 8, 2014, he resigned from the board.
A preliminary agreement to acquire Bologna F.C. 1909 was signed on September 17, 2014, and was formalized on October 8. On October 15, Tacopina officially assumed the post of president of the club. Joey Saputo was appointed as chairman on November 17, 2014. Tacopina served as president until his resignation in October 2015.
Tacopina purchased Italian football club Venezia F.C. in October 2015. He sold his shares and resigned in January 2020.
On August 13, 2021, Tacopina became president and owner of Italian football club SPAL of Ferrara, in Serie B or second division at the time.

Awards