Michael was born on April 26, 1953 in Clifton, New Jersey, to Dominick and Rosalie Messina, and was the eldest of four brothers, Michael, Joseph, Richard and John. He graduated Clifton High School in 1971 before attending college at Montclair State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and served as student body President before graduating in 1975.
Following his passion for history, politics and law, Michael went on to pursue a Juris Doctorate in Law, initially from California Western School of Law, and then eventually after transferring, from the University of Baltimore in 1978. After spending just one year in San Diego, CA during the first year of law school, Michael was convinced California was the place to call home, and in 1979, he returned to San Diego where he passed the State Bar of California, and became Michael J. Messina, Attorney at Law in 1980.
Michael would spend the next 41 years practicing criminal law as a trial defense attorney in San Diego, CA. Michael tried cases in both state and federal court representing defendants of personal injury, drunk driving, manslaughter, homicide, immigration, drug trafficking, and conspiracy cases. His deep devotion and belief in our judicial system, and every person’s right to a fair and speedy trial, is what motivated him to fight for those who needed it the most for over four decades of his life.
Perhaps the only thing Michael loved more than the law was sports. From a young age and on into adolescence, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and football, but as an adult, basketball was the sport that became his passion away from school and work, often filling every free moment he had in the gyms and courts across San Diego. His love for basketball eventually became the thing he and his son, Matthew, would share together as only a father and son could.
A devoted father, a loving partner, a son, a brother and a dear friend, Michael will be missed but never forgotten.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.merkleymitchell.com for the Messina family.
