Joe Tacopina Declines Diddy’s Legal Case Due to Ties with JAY-Z and Roc Nation

Prominent attorney Joe Tacopina, fresh off securing a not-guilty verdict for A$AP Rocky in his recent felony assault trial, has revealed that he declined the opportunity to represent Sean “Diddy” Combs in his upcoming sex trafficking and racketeering case.

Tacopina, who has built a reputation defending high-profile clients, explained that his close ties to JAY-Z and Roc Nation played a key role in his decision.

“I was asked to take a look at the case, that’s another case I said I was not interested in,” Tacopina shared during an interview on The Breakfast Club.

“I represent Roc Nation; a lot of people in Roc I’m very close with. [JAY-Z] and [Roc Nation president] Desiree Perez, who’s an amazing boss. Jay is amazing. Jay Brown, all those people are just special, special people. That’s sort of family to me, and I don’t think they see eye-to-eye with P. Diddy.”

JAY-Z and Diddy’s Relationship Under Scrutiny

The dynamic between JAY-Z and Diddy has been a hot topic in recent months. In December 2024, the Brooklyn rapper was named in a rape lawsuit alongside the Bad Boy Records founder.

However, the case was later dismissed by attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the alleged victim. Despite their past collaborations, representatives for JAY-Z have emphasized that his relationship with Diddy is not as close as it may have appeared over the years.

Tacopina also commented on their association:

“Everyone wants a picture with P. Diddy at one time or another, when they went to a party,” he noted, suggesting that public perception of their bond may have been exaggerated.

Tacopina Adds A$AP Rocky to His List of High-Profile Wins

Tacopina has represented several A-list clients, including Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, and Alex Rodriguez. His latest legal victory came with A$AP Rocky, who was facing up to 24 years in prison for allegedly shooting at A$AP Relli during a 2021 confrontation.

Following the trial, Rocky and his partner Rihanna were so grateful for Tacopina’s defense that they reportedly promised to name their next child after him.

“[A$AP Rocky and Rihanna] grabbed me and they said, ‘Listen, our next baby is A$AP Joe,’” Tacopina told Extra after the trial. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”

During the case, Tacopina successfully challenged Relli’s testimony, exposing contradictions and instances of perjury, ultimately securing Rocky’s acquittal.

While Diddy’s legal battle continues, Tacopina has chosen to step away from the case, prioritizing his longstanding relationships with JAY-Z and Roc Nation over adding another high-profile name to his client list.