“an expert in asset forfeiture in the state”
“national expert on state and federal forfeiture laws”
Steven L. Kessler
Dedicated. Experienced. Committed.
Steven L. Kessler Has Been Interviewed By Or Seen In:
When attorneys across the country need counsel for difficult forfeiture cases, they turn to Steven L. Kessler. Mr. Kessler has been protecting the assets of clients from government overreach on the federal, state and local levels for more than three decades. An experienced litigator and nationally recognized authority in the field, Mr. Kessler is equally comfortable when defending a complex federal Ponzi scheme case in West Virginia, securing the return of marital assets in a mini-Madoff litigation in New York, protecting tens of millions of dollars of client assets in Texas or seeking the return of funds seized at Salt Lake City International Airport. Whether working with local counsel or directly retained by the client, Mr. Kessler and his firm provide the finest representation possible.
In The News
Applying the Brakes on a Runaway Train: Forfeiture and Recent Supreme Court Developments
Read Full ArticleSteven L. Kessler is quoted in the Wall Street Journal’s article on forfeiture related to the prosecution of Paul Manafort, “In Brooklyn, Neighbors Cast Cool Eye Over Manafort’s Townhouse.”
Read Full ArticleSteven L. Kessler is quoted in Newsday regarding a federal lawsuit which accuses Suffolk County, New York, of “unconstitutional practices” in improperly withholding seized vehicles from the auto companies and banks that makes auto loans until the companies pay the County substantial costs and fees.
Read Full ArticleNotable Cases
Steven L. Kessler was the lead attorney in these important cases, some of which made new law in the federal and state courts.
Click the case link to explore the court decisions.
United States v. Real Property Located at 1407 North Collins Street, Arlington, Texas
United States v. Surgent
United States v. Peterson
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION v. WALSH
UNITED STATES v. CURRENCY IN SUM OF SIX HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS
Asset Forfeiture Publications
Steven L. Kessler is the author of two authoritative treatises on asset forfeiture, both of which are cited by courts nationwide:
Civil and Criminal Forfeiture: Federal and State Practice (WestGroup) was first published in 1993 and has been updated annually for 27 years.
New York Criminal and Civil Forfeitures (LexisNexis) has been updated annually since 1996.
Steven L. Kessler has also authored scores of articles on asset forfeiture:
Steven L. Kessler’s article discussing the recent revisions to New York’s primary civil forfeiture statute was published in the New York Law Journal.
Originally published on September 26, 2019. New York’s Major Revisions to the Civil Forfeiture Laws by Steven L. Kessler, Sept. 26, 2019, New York Law Journal
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Steven L. Kessler’s article discussing the United States Supreme Court’s recent decisions regarding criminal forfeiture was published in The Champion
Originally published on February 10, 2018. Applying the Brakes on a Runaway Train: Forfeiture and Recent Supreme Court Developments by Steven L. Kessler, The Champion (Jan/Feb 2018 issue), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
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The Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000
By Steven L. Kessler On April 25, 2000, President Clinton signed into law The Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 (HR 1658), Pub. L...
Read MoreWe’re Here To Help
Need expert help with your asset forfeiture related legal questions and issues? Have you been hit with a civil asset forfeiture action?
Need to go over your options and be prepared to protect your assets? Schedule a 15-minute initial consultation.
