Michael A. Arcuri is of counsel in the Litigation and Corporate Practices. He focuses his practice on assisting clients with litigation, government affairs and corporate law-related issues. He utilizes his diverse experience and years of public sector and economic development work to provide counsel on administrative and regulatory matters or issues that require interfacing with local governments, and the New York State or federal governments.
Mr. Arcuri was a member of Congress for New York’s 24th Congressional District from 2007 to 2010. While in Congress, he served as a member of the influential Rules Committee. He also served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the Economic Development, Water Resources and Environment, and Highways and Transit subcommittees.
During his tenure, Mr. Arcuri was named the most moderate “Centrist” member of the House of Representatives by the National Journal. He was also named 2009 Legislator of the Year for sponsoring legislation to install fire safety equipment in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Mr. Arcuri was selected as “Guardian of Small Business” by the National Federation of Small Businesses for his role in enacting 16 separate small business tax cuts.
Prior to his House membership, Mr. Arcuri was the longest serving District Attorney in Oneida County history, where he helped to create the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center. He was also president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.
- Lead counsel for People v. Koberstein, in a retrial of an old double murder conviction for a woman from Rome, NY, and her daughter, which took place on the young girl’s First Communion Day. The original conviction was vacated and remanded for a new trial as a result of an erroneous ‘Sandoval’ ruling [See.216 AD2d. 868 (4th Dep’t. 1994)]. Mr. Arcuri retried the case on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office after 10 years and convicted him a second time. He received a sentence of 50-life. [See. 261 AD2d. 849 (4th Dep’t. 1999); 94 NY 2d. 798(Ct. App. 1999)]. Handled prior to association with Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
- Lead counsel for People v. Lucas Henry a/k/a Prince, which was a murder trial in Oneida County resulting from the shooting death of Anthony Bookard, who was then buried in a snow bank outside of a local elementary school. He was convicted under the theory of Depraved Indifference Murder PL Section 125.25(2). [See 578 F3d. (2009)]. Handled prior to association with Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
- Lead counsel for People v. Preston Boyd, a high-profile home invasion/rape/endangering the welfare of a child case, tried in 2005. Handled prior to association with Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
- People v. Thomas R. Foley, 94 NY2d. 318 (Ct. App. 2000). A case of first impression Re. the Constitutionality of PL Section 235.22, enacted to address the convergence of predatory pedophile activity with Internet activity. The court upheld the statute, which criminalizes the use of sexually explicit communication designed to lure children into harmful conduct. Handled prior to association with Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
- People v. Paul Fraser, 96 NY2d. 318 (Ct. App. 2001) The Court of Appeals upheld the Appellate Division decision that the child pornographic material which the Defendant possessed on his computer could not be held for ‘literary, artistic, scientific or educational purpose.' Fraser claimed that the material was being held to study child sexual abuse as part of his job as a Certified Social Worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work. The Court of Appeals held that the affirmative defense was properly excluded by the trial judge at trial. Handled prior to association with Hancock Estabrook, LLP.
Mr. Arcuri has been a recipient of the following awards:
- One of Best Representatives for Children Award, Children’s Defense Fund Action Council, 2007
- Humane Advocate Award, The Humane Society of the United States
- Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Business
- Friend of the Farmer Award, New York Farm Bureau
- Health Care Leadership Award, American Chiropractic Association
- Excellence in Public Service Award, University of Albany Alumni Association
- NBFAA Legislator of the Year Award
- Public Policy Person of the Year Award, YWCA of the Mohawk Valley
- Member, Oneida County Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association
- Member, NYSBA Committee on Attorney Professionalism
- Member, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Capital Campaign Committee
- Member, Comity Club of Utica
- Contributor, Politico
- 7th Annual Communications Law & Policy Symposium at Syracuse University, "Political Campaign Communications" (March 2012)
- Rotary Club of Herkimer, "Experiences in Congress" (March 2012)
- Utica Chapter Annual Dinner, “Bankers Lawyers & Accountants”
- International Trade Commission, “China’s Unfair Trade Practices”
- SUNY Oneonta Graduation, Commencement Address
- New York Chiropractic College, Commencement Address
- NYS Public Transit Association Annual Conference, Keynote Speaker
- American Legion Boys State of New York, Guest Speaker
- Cazenovia College Symposium on Energy, “Smart Growth in Transportation” (2008)
- Cazenovia College Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century, “Environmental Solutions” (2007)
- New York Law School, J.D., 1984
- University at Albany, B.A., 1981
- New York
- United States District Court (NDNY)
- United States Supreme Court
