Retired, Law Office of Emil M. Rossi
Emil M. Rossi L’72 has been in private practice in Syracuse, NY, emphasizing federal and state litigation. Earlier in his career he also worked as Counsel to Special Prosecutor Nelson Roth during a New York State investigation into fingerprinting practices (1994–1995); was named Special Assistant Attorney General in the Syracuse-based Office of the Special Prosecutor for Health and Social Services (1975–1976); and was Assistant District Attorney, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office (1974–1975).
For his alma mater, Rossi has been an Adjunct Professor of Law, teaching constitutional law, criminal law, professional responsibility, and other courses. He also was an advisor to the National Moot Court Competition championship-winning teams of 1976 and 1979.
Among his service-oriented activities, Rossi has served on the boards of directors for the Onondaga County Bar Association, Catholic Charities, the Child and Family Service, and St. Peter’s Day Care Center. He has been President of Syracuse’s Columbus Monument Association since 1994. He also was a Member of the Selection Committee for the Syracuse Chief of Police (under former Mayor Thomas Young); Chairman of Syracuse’s Charter Review Commission (1989-1990); a Member of the Onondaga County Charter Review Commission (1993); and Co-Chairman of the Transition Committee for former Syracuse Mayor Roy Bernardi.
Rossi received his B.A. from LeMoyne College in 1963 and an M.A. in English Literature from Syracuse University in 1968. At the College of Law, he received the Order of the Coif, was active in the Justinian Honor Society, and was a Research Assistant to Professor Travis H.D. Lewin. Rossi graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse in 1972.