Anthony John Messina is a graduate of Pace University Pleasantville Campus earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. While in college he served as the Editor of CAMPUS Q magazine and was a member of the Publications Committee of the University. Mr. Messina served as an Assistant to the Dean of the Pace University School of Law before entering Law School in September of 1976. He was in the first graduating class of the Pace University School of Law in June of 1979, earning his Juris Doctor degree. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Pace University, Pleasantville Campus.

Mr. Messina was appointed an Assistant District Attorney of Westchester County, by the Honorable Carl A. Vergari, in August of 1979, after having served as a Law Intern in the District Attorney’s Office while in law school. Mr. Messina served in the Local Criminal Courts Bureau, Frauds Bureau and the Appeals and Motions Bureau. He resigned his appointment in February of 1984 to open his firm for the general practice of law in Somers, New York where he has resided all his life.

Mr. Messina was elected a Town Justice of the Town of Somers in November of 1987, and served as Town Justice of the Town of Somers until December 31, 1999. The Town Justice is a part-time position.

Mr. Messina serves on the faculty of Mercy College, in the Criminal Justice Department as an Adjunct Professor of Law. He has taught Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Search and Seizure Law (a course he initiated and introduced at the College) and Business Law. He also is a member of the Office of Court Administration Advanced Legal Training Course faculty, which offers annual mandatory training courses to the justices who serve in New York State’s Town, Village and City Courts.

Mr. Messina, in his practice, has successfully prosecuted and defended civil, commercial and criminal trial matters. He has presided over numerous civil and criminal trial matters as a Town Justice. He has successfully defended clients in both State and Federal criminal courts.

Mr. Messina has represented individuals and businesses in the following areas of practice: Real Estate transactions, both selling and purchasing, Planning and Zoning matters, Contract disputes arising out of both common law and the Uniform Commercial Code, Estate Matters, Will Drafting, Probate and Contest, Personal Injury matters, Criminal Misdemeanor and Felony matters at the State and Federal levels, Landlord/Tenant matters, Business Formation and dissolution, Arbitration matters and has represented clients in civil and criminal trials, both jury and non-jury.

Admission Details

• 1982, New York
• 1982, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• 1982, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

Law School Attended

• Pace University School of Law, Class of 1979, J.D.

University Attended

• Pace University, Class of 1975, B.A., History
• St Joseph's University, Class of 2015, M.S., Criminal Justice and Homeland Security