Who’s Joe Tacopina? What to learn about Donald Trump’s lawyer amid indictment
Lawyer Joe Tacopina — the general public face of Donald Trump’s authorized protection staff — has been within the highlight within the wake of the previous president’s indictment in Manhattan over an alleged hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
However Trump’s case isn’t the primary high-profile authorized struggle the 56-year-old high-powered protection legal professional has taken on.
The Brooklyn-born lawyer, who is thought for his sharp fits and fiery media interviews, has a protracted record of celeb shoppers — from rapper Meek Mill to baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Right here’s what we learn about Trump’s star-powered lawyer:
Who’s Joe Tacopina?
Tacopina is the founder and managing associate of the Huge Apple’s Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo legislation agency.
He describes himself because the “go to” legal protection legal professional throughout the nation.
Tacopina started his profession as a prosecutor in Brooklyn earlier than crossing over to turn out to be a protection legal professional.
He was initially employed by the Trump staff again in January to defend him in opposition to a civil lawsuit introduced by journal columnist E. Jean Carroll, who says Trump raped her within the mid-Nineteen Nineties.
On his LinkedIn, Tacopina boast of how he was as soon as described in GQ Journal as “the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, hardest-working legal protection legal professional going.”
Exterior the authorized realm, Tacopina is married to his spouse Tish. The couple have 5 kids collectively.
Tacopina additionally owns S.P.A.L. — a staff within the second tier of Italian soccer.
What has he stated about Donald Trump’s indictment?
Tacopina was fast to slam the indictment handed down by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, telling Fox Information Thursday he’s never been more angry.
“I’ve by no means been extra indignant a few cost as a result of right now, the rule of legislation in the USA of America died. It’s lifeless. It’s lifeless,” Tacopina stated in an interview with Sean Hannity.
He added that Trump was “shocked” when he realized of the indictment.
“He’s able to struggle. You recognize, he’s the hardest man I do know. He was shocked, you already know, as a result of we actually weren’t — I used to be shocked,” Tacopina stated of Trump’s response.
Tacopina additionally instructed The Submit Friday that Trump won’t be put in handcuffs when he turns himself in subsequent week.
In a separate interview with ABC Information’ “Good Morning America”, Tacopina couldn’t rule out a perp stroll or a mugshot for his consumer.
“I’m certain they’ll attempt to get each ounce of publicity he can from this factor,” he stated of prosecutors. “So far as mugshots, perp stroll — I’m certain they’ll strive to verify they get some pleasure out of this by parading him.”
The place did he go to legislation faculty — and apply?
Tacopina studied at Bridgeport Regulation Faculty — now referred to as Quinnipiac College Faculty of Regulation in North Haven, Connecticut.
He beforehand labored as a Kings County District Lawyer’s Workplace prosecutor earlier than coming into personal apply.
Tacopina based the Manhattan-based Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo legislation agency the place continues to be works.
What are a few of his most notable circumstances?
Trump is simply the most recent large identify to show to Tacopina.
He beforehand represented Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill, who was embroiled in a decade-long saga after being jailed in 2008 on gun and drug costs.
In 2017, the rapper was convicted of violating his probation and sentenced to a further to 2 to 4 years — regardless of a prosecutor and probation officer’s advice that he not be jailed.
Tacopina took on his case and was capable of free Mill after he served 5 months. His 2008 conviction was ultimately overturned and Mill was pardoned by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in January.
The famed legal professional was additionally employed by baseball great Alex Rodriguez to attraction his controversial 2014 suspension after testing constructive for testosterone and human development hormones.
Tacopina has additionally represented a string of NYPD cops all through his profession, together with Ken Moreno who, alongside along with his associate, was acquitted in 2011 of raping a drunk trend exec within the East Village. Moreno ended up being convicted of official misconduct.
He additionally helped acquit New York Democratic State Sen. Hiram Monserrate of felony assault in 2009 after he was accused of dragging his girlfriend down a hallway.