Anthony J. Colleluori, a well-known New York and Long Island trial and appellate lawyer, has practiced for over 20 years, focusing his practice on Criminal Law; First Amendment & Obscenity; Constitutional Law & Civil Rights; Civil RICO and Federal False Claims Act cases. He is admitted to practice law in New York and is currently Of Counsel to Raiser & Kenniff, P.C.
With a reputation as a tough and aggressive trial lawyer, Mr. Colleluori represented clients in the various areas of criminal law in the District, Town, Village Criminal, Civil, Family, County and Supreme courts. His cases have included civil rights actions, Federal False Claims Act (Qui Tam or Whistle Blower) cases and civil RICO cases. He has handled all level of criminal matters including white collar crimes, homicides, arson and racketeering. Mr. Colleluori has represented clients in both the New York State and Federal courts (mostly in the courthouses of the Second Department of the New York State Courts and in the Second Circuit, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York in the federal courts) but has also appeared pro hoc vice in other East coast states.
Mr. Colleluori’s recognitions include an “AV” Peer Review rating and listing in Martindale- Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Service Award by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Tony has been tapped to serve as a Special Prosecutor in Nassau County, New York and has served the New York Supreme Court as a Fiduciary Referee in Foreclosure actions. He has appeared in Who’s Who in American Law; and he has been previously listed as An Outstanding Young Man in America.
A frequent lecturer, moderator, and author, Tony has lectured at and/or chaired Continuing Legal Education courses for the American Bar Association; the New York State Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; the NYS Bar Association CLE and Criminal Justice Section (both Practical Skills Courses as well as Advance Skills Courses); the Nassau County (New York) Bar Association s Academy of Law; the Suffolk County (New York) Bar Association’s Academy of Law; The Hofstra University Trial Techniques Program; the Weidner University (Delaware) Trial Techniques Program; The National Institute of Trial Advocacy Basic Trial Course; and the Practicing Law Institute (PLI); as well as for numerous civic and religious organizations. Author of over twenty (20) trial skill and criminal law related articles and lecture notes, Mr. Colleluori lectures at high schools and colleges on Long Island and in the outer Boroughs of New York City. He has presented on diverse legal topics including DWI/ DUI and criminal law issues, legal ethics and representation of civil rights and Whistle Blower (Qui Tam) Plaintiffs/Relators. He has testified before the New York State Assembly Rules Committee and has submitted testimony to the United States House of Representatives.
In addition, Mr. Colleluori is the author of the “In Your Face Defense” series. He has taught a generation of young lawyers how to stand up to the government and courts and not be pushed around regarding alleged deadlines, guidelines, and other “official” bars to a fair defense. He authored the seminal six-part series “Handling a DWI Case” for the Nassau Lawyer. He also published the article “How to Write a Pre-Sentence Report” for the ABA-ALI publication the Practical Lawyer. He has written a featured Letter published in the Sunday edition of Long Island’s Newsday entitled “A Strong Defense of Liberty.”
Tony has been featured on numerous talk radio stations including WOR, WALK, WCBS, AP Radio, WGGB (Labor Lines) among others. Frequently sought out for his legal opinions he has appeared on various international, national and New York metropolitan area television shows including CNN (Lou Dobbs Money Line); Fox (Good Day New York); Court TV ABC; NBC; CNBC, MSNBC, CBS; PBS; News 12 Long Island; News 55 Long Island; and News 1 New York. He has been heard and seen on international TV and radio stations run by the BBC (Great Britain), RAI (Italy) RIA (Ireland).
A dedicated trial and appellate lawyer, Mr. Colleluori has made a name for himself as a concerned advocate who puts the client before the case. He devotes over 25 percent of his time to working on pro bono or reduced fee cases. He is a member of the 18b Panel (Major Felony Offense panel) of the Nassau County (New York) Bar Association (and is assigned the most serious of criminal cases) the Criminal Justice Act Panel of the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York (Long Island Branch) which handles Federal criminal cases and the Eastern District’s Pro Bono Panel which handles Federal civil cases (mostly in the area of Civil Rights and general business cases as well as employee discrimination and Whistle Blower [Qui Tam] protection cases).
A lifelong member of his Long Island community, Mr. Colleluori served on numerous philanthropic and civic efforts, including being a past alumni advisor to the Syosset HS (NY) radio station (WKWZ-88.5 FM) and alumni chair and District Justice to the J.F. Kennedy Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He has twice served on the local Soccer Board of Directors (once on its Executive Committee). He also served as a member of the Committee to Save Syosset Hospital and as a volunteer counsel for Children of the Night. He is a former assistant to a New York state assemblyman.
Tony has put his money where his mouth is philanthropically, raising money for the Leukemia Society, Cystic Fibrosis, and UNICEF and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Presently, he is on the National Board of Directors of the Scleroderma Foundation where he chairs the Development Committee.
