Profile

Mr. LaTona

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). In the Matter of Establishment Inspection of Buffalo Recycling Enterprises, LLC v. Buffalo Recycling Enterprises, LLC, 2011 WL 1118671 (W.D.N.Y. 2011), Mr. LaTona acted as co-counsel in successful litigation that resulted in nullifying Occupational Safety & Health Agency [“OSHA”] search warrants.

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).

Joe has attained an AV rating by Martindale Hubbel. He has been listed in each edition of the”Best Lawyers in America” since 1987. Since 2008, he has been listed in each edition of “Superlawyers – Upstate New York” edition.

Joe is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Erie County Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Joe was co-counsel in the United States Supreme Court and sole appellate counsel in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Marinello v. United States, 584 U.S. ___, 138 S.Ct. 1101 (2018).

He was involved in several other white collar tax cases. United States v. Todaro, 744 F.2d 5 (2d Cir. 1984); United States v. Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., 703 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1983); United States v. Todaro, 610 F.Supp. 923 (W.D.N.Y. 1985).

Joseph M. LaTona is the son of Dr. Salvatore LaTona and his wife, Beatrice. Joe was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Niagara Falls, New York.

He was one of four children — a sister, Ellen; a brother, Salvatore; and his late sister, Nancy McManus.

Joe attended Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls, New York. He graduated from Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Joe attained his law degree from Creighton University School of Law.

Joe has two daughters, Jean and Laura, and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Samantha.

Joe returned to Western New York and was hired as an associate attorney in the firm of Condon, Klocke, Angie, Gervase & Sedita. He became a partner in the firm of Condon, LaTona, Pieri & Dillon. He was special counsel for the Lipsitz, Green law firm and became a senior partner. Joe entered solo practice in 2001.