Toni Messina
Toni Messina has been practicing criminal defense law since 1990, although during law school she spent one summer as an intern in a large Boston law firm and realized quickly it wasn’t for her. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a journalist from Rome, Italy, reporting stories of international interest for CBS News and NPR. She keeps sane by balancing her law practice with a family of three children, playing in a BossaNova band, and dancing flamenco. She can be reached by email at tonimessinalw@gmail.com or tonimessinalaw.com, and you can also follow her on Twitter: @tonitamess.
Posts by Toni Messina
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Courts
Mom Held Responsible In Deaths Caused By Son
When do the often-common stereotypes of just-being-a-teen cross into mental illness? -
Crime, Technology
There’s No More Getting Away With Murder
Between our phones and the multitudes of video cameras, it's difficult to avoid detection. - Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so… -
Health / Wellness
Who’s Responsible For The Death Of Jordan Neely?
There is a good way and a bad way to engage a person suffering a crisis of mental illness.
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Crime
'I’m Going To Do Something Crazy.' Rikers Crisis Grows Worse.
Politicians already called the situation at Rikers a 'humanitarian crisis' months ago -- and now it's even worse. -
Crime
Why Ghislaine Maxwell’s Conviction Is Making Some People Very Nervous
There's only one card left to play. -
Crime
The Debacle Inside Rikers, And Why Shutting It Down Isn’t Enough
The real problem that must be faced is the over-incarceration of mostly people of color, with little emphasis on rehabilitation once they’re 'warehoused.' -
Crime
Lessons From The Cosby Case
Prosecutors might be more careful in making deals with people they suspect committed crimes. -
Legal Ethics
First Department Spanks Rudy Guiliani. Does He Care? You Bet.
The court found that Giuliani committed such egregious violations of the rules of professional conduct that his immediate suspension was necessary to avoid 'continuing misconduct.' - Sponsored
How Generative AI Will Improve Legal Service Delivery
Learn how emerging tools will likely change and enhance the work of lawyers for years to come in this new report. -
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Crime
Solitary Confinement, The Cruelest Form Of Punishment
In decades of practicing criminal law, solitary confinement has been the go-to, knee-jerk response to inmate misbehavior. -
Justice
How Police Body Cameras Help Police Behave
No longer is it just the defendant’s word against the cops. -
Government
Don’t Resign Gov. Cuomo, But It’s Time To Take Notice
While I decry Cuomo’s behavior, I also decry the quickness of judgment to condemn him. -
Crime
The Girl Who Accused The Wrong Person And The Lawyer Who Threw Her Under The Bus
A lawyer’s job, even when her client acts like a complete jerk, is to stand by that person’s side except in the case of outright fraud or perjury.
Sponsored
Sponsored
How Generative AI Will Improve Legal Service Delivery
Learn how emerging tools will likely change and enhance the work of lawyers for years to come in this new report.
Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so…
Sponsored
Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
How to best leverage generative AI as an early adopter with ethical use.
Sponsored
Sponsored
This AI-Powered Document Tool Will Meet You Where You Are
Lexis Create provides simple access to internal and external knowledge — directly within Microsoft Word.
Sponsored
Profit Powerhouse: Elevating Law Firm Financial Performance
In this CLE-eligible webinar on April 10th, we’ll explore the most common accounting pitfalls and how to avoid them for your firm.
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Government
Once Upon A Time In America
Watching Donald Trump spout his lies shows how easy it is for any nation to fall under the spell of a demagogue. -
Government
Will They Be Held Accountable, And If So For What?
While Donald Trump is only president for another few days, it’s important he be prosecuted. -
Government
Why Trump Won’t Pardon Himself
How was it that normally rational people fell so easily under his spell? -
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Racism
'The Least Racist Person In The Room'
Our culture has long ignored some startling incidents relating to how Black people have been treated in our country -- and Trump is fueling incidents like these anew. -
Courts
Practicing Law During COVID-19: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Post-COVID court adds features to trial work both sides will have to contend with. -
Courts
The Way Women Are
The opinions in the book cover issues of equal rights, gender discrimination, separation of church and state, workers’ rights, voting powers, and abortion.