Featured Publication and Articles

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 30 years.

Civil and Criminal Forfeiture: Federal and State Practice provides a practical, comprehensive treatment and analysis of the primary forfeiture provisions enacted by Congress and state legislatures. It analyzes major cases – including those related to forfeiture of attorney fees – interpreting forfeiture statutes, including forms and sample pleadings.This resource provides step-by-step guidance to the practice and handling of forfeiture cases in state and federal courts, including pretrial proceedings, the trial, and post-trial motions. It also includes RICO statutes concerning forfeiture, including pertinent civil and criminal provisions and their judicial interpretations.

New York Criminal and Civil Forfeitures (LexisNexis) has been updated annually since 1996.

New York Criminal and Civil Forfeitures is a unique, one-volume publication that provides in-depth analysis of the state forfeiture and related laws used by New York state and local law enforcement authorities to confiscate and forfeit assets of individuals and corporations. Includes sample forms and relevant statutory and rules provisions.

Asset Forfeiture Articles

Steven L. Kessler has also authored scores of articles on asset forfeiture:

Taking the Profit Out Of Crime: Forfeiture

Originally published on February 15, 2023 in the in the January/February 2023 issue of The Champion.

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

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

Featured in the Media

Attorney Kessler is regularly quoted by media of both general and legal circulation for his expertise in the subject of asset forfeiture.

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In The News

Forfeiture Authority Steven L. Kessler is regularly quoted by media of both general and legal circulation. A small sampling is included here:

Steven L. Kessler is quoted in Bloomberg News’ article, “US Seeks $15 Billion From Drug Lord El Mayo—But Recovery Looks Difficult,” regarding the possibility and logistics of collecting and satisfying the $15 billion forfeiture judgment against Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada following his criminal plea.

Steven L. Kessler is interviewed live on June 25, 2025 by Eva Pilgrim on ABC News’ show, “Burden of Proof“, regarding the forfeiture aspects of the government’s case against Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Steven L. Kessler is quoted in The Washington Post’s article, “The U.S. Seized a Russian Yacht. Now You’re Paying for It,” regarding the cost to the American taxpayers of seizure practices utilized by the government.

Steven L. Kessler is quoted in Forbes magazine’s article “Silk Road Vendor Fighting To Reclaim Seized Bitcoins, Argues He Sold Legal” regarding forfeiture aspects of the Silk Road prosecution.

Steven L. Kessler is quoted in Bloomberg News’ article, “Shkreli’s Forfeiture Could Give U.S. Stake in Notorious Drug Firm,” regarding the possible forfeiture of Martin Shkreli’s drug firm by the government.

Steven 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.”

Steven L. Kessler is quoted in the Wall Street Journal’s series, “Federal Asset Seizures Rise, Netting Innocent With Guilty.”

Steven L. Kessler is interviewed by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for its broadcast, “Conviction or Not, Seized Cash is ‘Cost of Doing Business in Louisville.” The initial broadcast was on September 23, 2019.

Steven 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.

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