Michael Vitaliano is a native New Yorker who grew up on Staten Island, New York

In 2019, Mr. Vitaliano left the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office to join Sapone & Petrillo, LLP as an associate attorney responsible for assisting with large-scale investigations and trials ranging from federal white collar cases to homicide prosecutions. He has already tried a criminal case with firm partner, Edward V. Sapone, Esq., and is actively engaged in preparing for upcoming federal fraud and New York state murder trials.

Mr. Vitaliano has extensive courtroom experience, having led the charge while in the DA’s Office in many pre-trial hearings and high-level criminal trials. Towards the end of his tenure at the DA’s Office, Mr. Vitaliano was responsible to supervise other Assistant District Attorneys.

Mr. Vitaliano served as an ADA from 2016-2019. He investigated and prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases, including complex felony prosecutions. His primary focus involved investigations of violent street gangs and narcotics distribution on Staten Island. While assigned to the Narcotics-Investigations Bureau, Mr. Vitaliano led investigations with the NYPD, drafted search warrants, presented cases to the grand jury, tried lots of cases to verdict, and assisted in large-scale Title III Wiretap investigations. Mr. Vitaliano’s work with that unit led to takedown and incarceration of many reputed gang members. In addition, his work led to the seizures of countless loaded firearms, narcotics and other contraband. Among Mr. Vitaliano’s many felony investigations and prosecutions, he handled attempted murders and assisted in homicide and sexual assault investigations.

Mr. Vitaliano earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 2015. During his studies at Brooklyn Law School, he continued to immerse himself with criminal justice classes. In the summer of 2013, he interned at LaSasso Law Group, PLLC, a boutique NYC law firm, where he prepared legal memoranda of civil rights and criminal matters, drafted criminal defense motions, and assisted in developing complex trial strategies. He also completed multiple internships with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. During his terms there, he was trusted to research cutting-edge legal issues, draft responses to voluminous legal motions, interview key witnesses, and secure vital corroboration statements. In his final year, Mr. Vitaliano was accepted into the Prosecutor’s Clinic at Brooklyn Law School where he served as a Student Assistant District Attorney for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

From an early age, Mr. Vitaliano knew he would become a lawyer. In 2008, he graduated from Monsignor Farrell H.S., earning an award for “Practical Law.” He then attended Saint Joseph’s University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with Honors Distinction in 2012. Mr. Vitaliano earned Dean’s List Honors from 2010-2012 and was a member of the Criminal Justice Honor Society.