Joe Tacopina is a famous American lawyer, media personality, and sports executive. He is known for representing high-profile clients in high-profile cases, such as former U.S. president Donald Trump, New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, and pop icon Michael Jackson. He is also the owner and president of Italian soccer club Venezia FC. But who are the people behind this successful and influential man? Here is a glimpse into the life and career of Joe Tacopina and his family.
Early Life and Education
Joe Tacopina was born on April 14, 1966, in New York City, to Italian immigrants. His father Cosmo (1917-2011) was originally from Rome, and his mother Josephine (née Oliva; 1924-2019) came from Montelepre, in the province of Palermo. Cosmo sold packing boxes, while Josephine was an accountant with the New York City Fire Department. Joe was raised in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn. He attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn and Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, before graduating in 1991 from the University of Bridgeport law school (now Quinnipiac University School of Law).
Legal Career
Joe Tacopina began his career as a prosecutor in Brooklyn. After moving to private practice, he became known as an advocate for high-profile clients in high-profile cases. Some of his notable clients include:
- Donald Trump: Tacopina began representing former U.S. president Donald Trump in early 2023. He is a personal attorney for Trump in a New York criminal case involving payments made to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels, and in a civil case in which Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll.
- Alex Rodriguez: Tacopina represented New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez in his dispute with Major League Baseball over his suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
- Joran van der Sloot: Tacopina represented Joran van der Sloot, the suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, an American high schooler in Aruba. He also helped negotiate a plea deal for van der Sloot in Peru, where he was convicted of murdering another woman.
- Michael Jackson: Tacopina was part of the legal team that defended pop icon Michael Jackson against child molestation charges in 2005.
- Chico Forti: Tacopina represented Italian sailor Chico Forti, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Florida for the murder of Dale Pike, the son of a media mogul. Tacopina has been trying to prove Forti’s innocence and obtain his release.
- Kimberly Guilfoyle: Tacopina represented Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former assistant.
Tacopina is a name partner and lead trial attorney at his Manhattan based law firm, Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo. He has also represented NFL team Washington Commanders and team owner Daniel Snyder, actor Lillo Brancato, New York state senator Hiram Monserrate, and Julian Khater, who had maced three police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Media Appearances
Joe Tacopina has appeared on several US television networks as a legal commentator and analyst. He has been a guest on Fox News, CNN, Newsmax, MSNBC, and ABC. He has also served as a “legal correspondent” for ABC in Perugia following the Amanda Knox case. He has also appeared regularly on WABC Radio’s “Bernie & Sid Morning Show” in New York. He has also appeared as an attorney on the American reality television court show, You the Jury.
Sports Executive
Joe Tacopina is also a sports executive and soccer enthusiast. He has held executive positions on three Italian soccer clubs. He is currently the owner and president of Venezia FC (2015-present), a club that plays in Serie B, the second-highest division in Italy. He previously served as the president and board member of Bologna FC (2014 -2015), a club that plays in Serie A, the top division in Italy. He was also the vice president and board member of AS Roma (2011-2014), one of the most successful clubs in Italy.
Tacopina has been credited with reviving Venezia FC, which was on the verge of bankruptcy when he bought it in 2015. He has invested heavily in the club’s infrastructure, facilities, players, and staff. He has also hired former Italian national team coach Gian Piero Ventura as the manager. Under his leadership, Venezia FC has achieved promotion from Serie D to Serie B, and has reached the finals of the Coppa Italia Serie C twice. Tacopina has also expressed his ambition to take Venezia FC to Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.
Personal Life and Family
Joe Tacopina is married to Tish Tacopina (born in 1971), who is also a lawyer. They have five children together: Christopher, Matteo, Morgan, Joe, and Livi. The family lives in New York City. According to Tish’s Instagram post, Morgan, the oldest of the siblings, was born on March 15, 1993. He is currently 30 years old. The other children’s ages and occupations are not publicly known.
Joe Tacopina is a devout Catholic and a supporter of charitable causes. He has been named Humanitarian of the Year by the National Action Network, Rev. Al Sharpton’s Civil Rights Organization, in 2019. He has also been named Man of the Year by New York State’s Commission for Social Justice in 2019. He has also been recognized by Billboard as one of the Top Most Influential People in Hip Hop in 2019.
Joe Tacopina is a celebrity lawyer who has made a name for himself in the legal, media, and sports fields. He is also a family man who loves his wife and children. He is a man of many talents and achievements, but also of many controversies and challenges. He is Joe Tacopina, and this is his family.
