Nicholas J. DeMartino

A former judge and prosecutor with over 35 years of courtroom and trial experience.

 

Nick is a lifelong resident of Syracuse, and of the City’s “Northside.” A graduate of Henninger High School, Nick holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (summa cum laude) in Political Science from Brockport State University, in Brockport, New York, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Western New England College, School of Law, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Nick began his legal career in 1986 by serving as a Deputy County Attorney with the Onondaga County Department of Law, where he prosecuted child abuse and neglect cases. He then went on to serve for 15 years as an Assistant District Attorney with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. During his tenure as an Assistant District Attorney, Nick prosecuted general felony cases, violent felony and career criminal cases, as well as narcotics cases. He served in the the Homicide Bureau for 11 years and also served as Chief of the White Collar Bureau. While in the Homicide Bureau, Nick investigated and prosecuted over 100 murder and death penalty-eligible cases. 

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As an A.D.A., Nick’s administrative duties included serving as Supervisor of Project P.R.O.U.D., the District Attorney’s felony drug diversion program, Supervisor of Project Safe   Schools, and was the District Attorney’s liaison to both the Neighborhood Watch Groups of Syracuse and Neighborhood Watch of Central New York.

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Nick left the District Attorney’s Office in 2004 as a Chief Assistant assigned to the Homicide Bureau. 

 

In 2001, Nick served as a Syracuse City Court Judge, during which time, among his other duties, he initiated and presided over Syracuse Community Court. 

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In 2004 he joined the Syracuse law firm of Costello, Cooney & Fearon as Special Counsel, where he specialized in Family Law, Criminal Defense and Insurance Defense. 

 

Nick served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cazenovia College, in Cazenovia, New York for 20 years, where he taught Business Law, Sports Law and Legal and Business Ethics. He also frequently serves as a guest lecturer at Syracuse University and at the Syracuse University School of Law.   

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In 2007, Nick resumed his work as a prosecutor when he joined the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau. As an A.A.G., Nick covered an approximate seven county Central New York Region and concentrated primarily on the investigation and prosecution of white collar, financial and environmental crimes.

 

In 2015, Nick left the Attorney General's Office and joined the firm of Green & Brenneck, in Syracuse, where he specializes in all aspects of criminal defense, including homicides, major felonies, white collar, DWI and Vehicle and Traffic matters. Nick practices in all counties in New York and is admitted to practice in United States Federal Court, Northern District of New York.

 

In July, 2018, Nick opened his own Criminal Defense law firm in Syracuse. His practice includes all aspects of criminal defense, ranging from simple traffic tickets to homicides. 

 

Nick currently serves on the New York State Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee and served as the Committee's representative to the New York State Bar House of Delegates. He also serves as the Chairperson of the Criminal Justice Section's Continuing Legal Education Committee.

 

In addition, he serves as Chairperson of the Criminal Law Section, Membership Committee and Animals and the Law Committee of the Onondaga County Bar Association. He is also the Director of the O.C.B.A.'s Volunteer Advocate Lawyer in Animal Abuse Court (V.A.L.A.C.) Program. In 2014, Nick served as the President of the Onondaga County Bar Association. 

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In December, 2016, Nick received the American Red Cross of Central New York's "Real Heroes Award" for his work with the V.A.L.A.C. Program.

 

Nick’s community activities include serving as President of The Friends of Schiller Park and serves on the Board of Directors of the Central New York Animal Abuse Task Force and P.E.A.C.E., Inc., He has served as Chairperson of The Columbus Day Parade Through Little Italy, and has coached soccer at the Eastwood Soccer League, and basketball at Our Lady of Pompei School, in Syracuse. Nick has also served as the host of the radio show “Music D’Italia.” 

 

Nick is the proud father of his daughter Elizabeth, a graduate of Oswego State University, son Joe, an engineer in Charlotte, North Carolina and three rescue Pit Bulls, Domino, Tyra and Aphrodite.