Judge Michael A. Telesca: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Michael A. Telesca (deceased) is a former judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. He was nominated to the bench by former President Ronald Reagan on March 11, 1982. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on April 20, 1982. Telesca assumed senior status on May 3, 1996, and continued in this manner until his passing on March 5, 2020.

During his judicial tenure, he served for nineteen years as a judge for the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (1996 to 2015). Telesca was also the former Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York (1989 to 1995). He began his judicial career as a surrogate for the Monroe County Surrogate’s Court in 1973.

He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester in 1952. Telesca then completed an LL.B. at the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1955.

After serving a two-year stint as a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps (1955 to 1957), he was a partner at Lamb, Webster, Walz, Telesca & Donovan in Rochester until becoming a surrogate in Monroe County in 1973.

Telesca was born in Rochester, New York.