Joseph M. LaTona
Recognized since 1987
Buffalo, New York
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
DUI / DWI Defense
Mr. LaTona's list of notable cases includes some of Western New York's most highly publicized and most compelling cases involving allegations of fraud, conspiracy, murder and criminally negligent homicide. Mr. LaTona's practice has always included involvement in complex white collar and electronic surveillance investigations and prosecutions.
Those cases include his representation of the taxpayers in United States v. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., 703 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1983), and United States v. Todaro, 744 F.2d 5 (2d Cir. 1984). He acted as co-counsel in successful litigation which resulted in nullifying Occupational Safety & Health Agency ["OSHA"] search warrants. In Re Buffalo Recycling, 2011 WL 1118671 (W.D.N.Y. 2011).
Mr. LaTona represented several of the criminal defendants and civil respondents in the Ingram-Micro income tax investigation in which several sales personnel were targeted [W.D.N.Y. 1996-1997].
Throughout his career, Mr. LaTona has represented public and elected officials. They include the Niagara County Clerk, the Niagara County Social Services Commissioner, a Niagara Falls Bridge Commissioner, a Niagara Falls City Councilman and a Deputy Commissioner of the Buffalo Parks Department [WDNY "Niagara County Investigation" 1991-1993; WDNY "Plumline" 1987; WDNY "Local 91 Investigation" 2003-2006; WDNY "Delano-Buffalo Parks" Investigation].
Mr. LaTona has also represented many police officers and corrections officers during his career. He also represented one of the "Lackawanna Six" and former University of Buffalo basketball great Maurice "Modie" Cox (1997).
Mr. LaTona is a member of the New York State Bar Association ("N.Y.S.B.A."), the Erie County Bar Association ("E.C.B.A."), the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has lectured numerous times for the N.Y.S.B.A. and the E.C.B.A. Mr. LaTona has achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV rating. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh and Smith, Woodward-White in each edition since 1987. Mr. LaTona has been selected in each New York Super Lawyers - Upstate Edition since 2008 as one of the top fifty lawyers. He was the subject of a feature article in the September 2008 New York Super Lawyers - Upstate Edition magazine.
Contact & Links
- Lawyer Page: http://josephlatona.com/profile/
Location
- Brisbane Building, Suite 716
403 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
Languages
- English
Bar Admissions
- New York, New York State Bar Association
- Nebraska, Nebraska State Bar Association
Affiliations
- Erie County Bar Association - Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member
- New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member
- New York State Bar Association - Member
1 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Buffalo (2014)
- DUI / DWI Defense, Buffalo (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 for work in:
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- DUI / DWI Defense
United States v. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., 703 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1983)
.United States v. Todaro, 744 F.2d 5 (2d Cir. 1984)
.In Re Buffalo Recycling, 2011 WL 1118671 (W.D.N.Y. 2011)
.Several of the criminal defendants and civil respondents in the Ingram-Micro income tax investigation in which several sales personnel were targeted [W.D.N.Y. 1996-1997]
.Counsel to former Niagara County Social Service Commissioner (W.D.N.Y., United States v. Louis Scozzafava - 1992-1993). See, United States v. Scozzafava, 833 F.Supp. 203 (W.D.N.Y. 1993)
.Attorney for former Niagara Falls Bridge Commissioner, Joel Cicero (W.D.N.Y., 2003-2006)
.Associate counsel in United States v. Jerald Wolfgang (W.D.N.Y.; “Plumline”; 1987)
.Counsel to Deputy Parks Commissioner (W.D.N.Y., “Delano - Parks Investigation” [1991])
.Attorney for Faysal Galab, one of the “Lackawanna Six” (W.D.N.Y., 2002-2003)
.Lead criminal trial counsel to Buffalo Police Lieutenant Gregg Blosat, “The Mark Virginia Case” (Buffalo, 1997)
.Appellate civil counsel to City of Niagara Falls and Lieutenant Laurel Sheehan, “Capton v. Niagara Falls, Laurel Sheehan, et al.” (1997-1999)
.Counsel to former University of Buffalo basketball great, Maurice “Modie” Cox (1997)
.Appellate attorney for Carlo Marinello (obstructing IRS prosecution, 2015-2016)
.Attorney for Michael O'Neill (Wheatfield explosion case, 2015-2016)
.Attorney for Buffalo Police Officer Adam O'Shei (Molly's Pub investigation, 2014)
.Attorney for former State Senator George Maziarz (S.D.N.Y. and NYS Attorney General investigations, 2014-2016)
.United States v. Koschtschuk, et al., 2011 WL 3295817 (W.D.N.Y. 2011)
.Attorney for Corrections Officer Randall Labedz (2010-2011)
.Attorney for Joseph Jacobbi of Casa Di Pizza, "Buffalo City Mission - Pizza Provider" case (2010)
.Attorney for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson (Marshawn Lynch Investigation, Summer 2008)
.Attorney for Michael Herb - Kenmore High School Teacher (Tonawanda 2003)
.Co-counsel to Lorretta Marra and Dennis Malvasi (W.D.N.Y., “James Kopp” case 2001)
.Trial Counsel to Jeffrey Kramer (Amherst Town Court, 2001)
.People v. Palmeri, 272 A.D.2d 968, 710 N.Y.S.2d 487 (4th Dept. 2000)
.Counsel to Corrections Officer Robert Michienzi (People v. Robert Michienzi and Michael George; Albion Town Court, 1999-2000)
.Counsel to Medina Attorney Paul Heiligenthaler (People v. Heiligenthaler; Orleans County Court, 1999-2000)
.Counsel to Niagara Falls School Board Member, Mark Zito (People v. Mark Zito and Michael Gold; Niagara County Court, 1999)
.United States v. Rivera, 198 F.R.D. 52 (W.D.N.Y. 1999)
.People v. Fonville (Batchelor), 247 A.D.2d 115, 681 N.Y.S.2d 420 (4th Dept. 1998)
.People v. Stockman, 159 Misc.2d 730, 606 N.Y.S.2d 864 (Amherst Town Court 1993)
.United States v. Lovaglia (Clune), 954 F.2d 811 (2d Cir. 1992)
.Counsel for former Niagara County Clerk, George Maziarz (W.D.N.Y.; Niagara County Investigation; 1991-1993)
.People v. Candella (Piccirillo), 171 A.D.2d 329, 578 N.Y.S.2d 286 (4th Dept. 1991)
.People v. Ubiles, 148 A.D.2d 1002, 539 N.Y.S.2d 233 (4th Dept. 1989)
.People v. Mazzaferro, 148 A.D.2d 961, 539 N.Y.S.2d 199 (4th Dept. 1989)
.People v. Price, 152 A.D.2d 968, 543 N.Y.S.2d 789 (4th Dept. 1989)
.People v. Fenner, 155 A.D.2d 946, 547 N.Y.S.2d 766 (4th Dept. 1989)
.Co-defense counsel in “Operation Snowflake” (People v. Gary Knowle and Paula Gutowski, et al.; Erie County Supreme Court, 1988)
.Lead counsel for former Niagara Falls City Councilman in United States v. Joseph Smith, et al. (W.D.N.Y.; “Plumline”; 1987 - 1988)
.Counsel to family witnesses in People v. Maria and Carl Bamptom (Erie County Court: 1987 - 1988)
.People v. Harris, 130 A.D.2d 939, 516 N.Y.S.2d 554 (4th Dept. 1987)
.United States v. Okwumabua, 828 F.2d. 950 (2d Cir. 1987)
.People v. DiFabio, 134 A.D.2d 910, 521 N.Y.S.2d 933 (4th Dept. 1987)
.United States v. Paone (Marotta), 782 F.2d 386 (2d Cir. 1986)
.People v. Fromen, 125 A.D.2d 987, 510 N.Y.S.2d 384 (4th Dept. 1986)
.United States v. Todaro, 610 F.Supp. 923 (W.D.N.Y. 1985)
.Co-trial counsel in the Long case (People v. Gramaglia, et al.; Erie County Supreme Court, 1978)
.Matter of the City of Buffalo, 57 A.D.2d 47, 394 N.Y.S.2d 919 (4th Dept. 1977) (appellate representation of amicus curiae)
.City of Buffalo v. Orlando, 52 A.D.2d 1061, 384 N.Y.S.2d 321 (4th Dept. 1976)
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