MICHAEL J. VAVONESE
LAW OFFICE
MICHAEL J. VAVONESE
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
For the past 35 years Michael J. Vavonese practiced in the area of criminal law at all levels of the Courts in the State of New York and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York as a criminal trial attorney.
He has handled all types of penal law and traffic infractions from representing individuals charged with Murder to those charged with DWI and traffic offenses. He has represented defendants charged with some of the most serious and notorious crimes in Upstate and Northern New York including a number of trials that have resulted in acquittals on the most serious charges.*
His representation of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice plaintiffs has resulted in recoveries in the amount of one million dollars or more.*
BACKGROUND
Michael J. Vavonese graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1976 and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Canisius College in 1980. Michael received his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in 1983 and was admitted to the New York State Bar and the District Court for the Northern District of New York in 1984.
Michael was an associate of Emil M. Rossi, Esq. for many years before opening his own law practice, which he continues to operate today.
In 2011, Michael was honored by being included in the Super Lawyers annual magazine in the area of Criminal Law for Upstate New York and was recognized by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys for his excellence in that field of criminal law.
Michael has been quoted regarding his representation of criminal and civil litigants in various national news outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, Inside Edition and The Nancy Grace Show. Michael has lectured in the area of criminal law for the New York State Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association, the New York State Association of Town and Village Justices and has been a guest lecturer for trial practice at Syracuse University College of Law. Michael is also a past delegate to the Onondaga County Judicial Nominating Committee.
* Past results do not guarantee future specific outcomes
BAR LOCATION
New York State Bar
Admittance: February, 1984 – Present
FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT
Northern District of New York:
Admittance: 1984 – Present
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Michael J. Vavonese Law Office
2001- Present
Concentration in Criminal Law and Personal Injury
Emil M. Rossi, Esq. Law Office
May, 1984-2001
Concentration in Criminal Law
City of Syracuse Corporation Counsel’s Office
Summer, 1982
Law Clerk to First Assistant Corporation Counsel
EDUCATION
Duquesne University School of Law • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, J.D. 1983
(Visiting Student Syracuse University School of Law, 1983)
Canisius College • Buffalo, New York, B.A. 1980
Christian Brothers Academy • Syracuse, New York 1976
ACHIEVEMENTS & ACTIVITIES
Included in Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of Criminal Law for Upstate New York in 2013
National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys Top 10 Attorney Award
Lecturer, Continuing Education, New York State Town and Village Justices
Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, Criminal Litigation
Lecturer, Onondaga County Bar Association, Criminal Litigation and Search and Seizure Issues
Guest Lecturer, Syracuse University School of Law Trial Practice Class
Evaluator, Syracuse University School of Law Moot Court Competition
Pi Sigma Nu, Political Science National Honor Society
Di Gamma Honor Society
Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities
Thomas J. Pirro Award for Legal and Civic contributions to the Central New York Community
PAST & PRESENT MEMBERSHIPS
New York State Bar Association
Onondaga County Bar Association
Central New York Catholic Lawyers Guide
Board of Trustee, Upstate Multiple Sclerosis Society
Board of Director, Eastwood Bears Football Association
President, C.B.A. Alumni Association
Canisius College CNY Alumni Association
Past Onondaga County Republican Alternate Delegate to Judicial Nominating Committee
Italian American Athletic Club
Our Lady of Pompei Holy Name Society
President, Our Lady of Pompei School Alumni Association
President, Columbus Day Monument Foundation
Board of Trustees, Columbus Day Parade Committee
Lakeshore Yacht and Country Club
Italian American Bar Association
TESTIMONIAL
“I was so touched that you went out of your way to thank the defense lawyer. The accused is entitled to an attorney - even a confessed murderer like Ryan Lawrence. From what I've heard, he got one of the best criminal defense lawyers. And Mr. Vavonese no doubt used all his considerable experience and expertise to try to defend the accused. It must be one of the hardest jobs in the justice system - to defend someone who has killed his own child. But Mr. Vavonese took an oath to represent all of his clients to the best of his ability - even those whose behavior is as reprehensible as this man. I'm sure Mr. Vavonese was the second most unpopular man in that court room. That's got to take a toll on a man of conscience, who (like you) entered law because of a strong sense of right and wrong, and the pursuit of justice.”
— A.K.R.
