F. EMMETT FITZPATRICK

F. Emmett Fitzpatrick is a former District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia. He served as an Assistant District Attorney from 1956 - 1962; as First Assistant District Attorney from 1962 - 1966; and as the elected District Attorney from 1974 through 1978.

Mr. Fitzpatrick is the founder of the firm of Fitzpatrick & Caravasos, PC. He is now retired from full-time practice, but remains Of Counsel to the firm. Mr. Fitzpatrick has extensive experience in criminal defense, PCRA, and appellate matters. He is a member of the faculty of Widener University School of Law's Intensive Trial Advocacy program, has taught numerous legal education seminars for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and other organizations, and has testified as a legal expert in many court proceedings.

Acclaimed as a master orator and often described as the "dean of criminal defense lawyers", Mr. Fitzpatrick has enjoyed countless trial successes throughout the decades, including acquittals of numerous alleged organized crime figures in federal RICO prosecutions, such as United States v. John Stanfa, where he secured acquittals for two separate defendants. He has tried cases throughout the twelve counties of Pennsylvania as well as out-of-state jurisdictions including New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

Mr. Fitzpatrick is the author of a proprietary legal resource called CaseLaw Finder, which currently contains synopses of more than 30,000 cases. He is also the author of a number of topical legal articles including "Ineffective Assistance of Counsel" and "Plea Bargaining In The 90s". Mr. Fitzpatrick has been a frequent commentator on area radio and television programs, including WPVI TV's Inside Story.

Education

Mr. Fitzpatrick received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Joseph's College [now University] in 1952, where he was President of the National Jesuit Honor Society, a member of the winning debate teams in several national tournaments, and was listed in the publication, "Who's Who Among American College and University Students". He received his LL.B degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955.

Activities & Positions

• Executive Committee-Philadelphia Junior Bar Association
  • Elected Chairman, September, 1959
  • Elected Secretary, September, 1958
  • Elected Member, September, 1957
• Member-Criminal Justice Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association
• Kent Law Club, University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • President, 1954-1955
• Alpha Sigma Nu, National Jesuit Honor Society
  • President, 1951-1952
  • Villager Debating Society, St. Joseph's College:
    • Vice President, 1949-1952
  • Philadelphia Regional Council, National Federation of Catholic College Students
    • President, Vice President and Parliamentarian, 1949-1952
    • National District Attorney's Association
    • Board of Directors
    • Vice President
    • Executive Committee
  • Commissioner, Victim/Witness Assistance Committee
    
  • Member, Metropolitan District Attorney's Committee
    
  • Member, United States Attorney General Liaison Committee
    
  • Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association
  • Counsel Emeritus - Pennsylvania County and State Detectives Association
    • Executive Committee
    • Chairman, Legislative Committee
  • Governor's Justice Commission, Regional Planning Council
  • Commission on Judicial Selection, Retention, and Evaluation
    • Committee on Attorney Candidate Evaluation

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of the United States of America
• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
• United States Tax Court

Community Awards

• Man of the Year Award - Philadelphia Emerald Society
• Community Service Award - 32 Carat Club of Philadelphia
• Distinguished Public Servant Award - Beth Emeth Congregation Men's Club
• Outstanding Services to the Community Award - South Philadelphia Lions Club
• Public Service Award - 21 Jewel Square Club
• Sons of Italy Award - Alessandroni Lodge
• Vigilant and Courageous Dedication Award - Brith Shalom-Wolfe Baron Lodge