Michael Spano

Practice areas

Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White Collar

Focus areas

Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law – Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, False Accusations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations

Michael Spano, based in Syracuse, New York, is a seasoned criminal defense attorney who handles a wide range of criminal cases, such as drug offenses, DWI, federal charges, sex crimes, traffic violations, and more, serving clients across the Syracuse metropolitan area.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in economics at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, Mr. Spano pursued his legal education at Syracuse University College of Law. He has been a licensed attorney in the state of New York since 1993 and holds an AV Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review group.

Following his law school journey, Mr. Spano gained valuable legal experience as a criminal defense attorney. He later transitioned to the role of an assistant district attorney at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, eventually becoming the chief assistant district attorney responsible for overseeing the office’s homicide bureau. Today, he operates as a private criminal defense attorney.

Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Spano has accumulated a wealth of experience in both prosecuting and defending criminal cases, making him a seasoned litigator. He has been involved in numerous significant cases and notably prosecuted Onondaga County’s first hate crime in 2003.

Leveraging his legal expertise to educate others, Mr. Spano has provided training to officers from both the Onondaga County and Syracuse police departments. He has also served as a presenter at various continuing legal education courses tailored for prosecutors. Mr. Spano actively engages with his local legal community as an esteemed member of the Onondaga County Bar Association and maintains affiliations with national organizations, including the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the American College of Board Certified Attorneys.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® facilitates a peer review rating process, with ratings reflecting the anonymous opinions of members of the legal profession and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ encompass two key categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.