David Z. Chesnoff (born in Paterson, New Jersey on May 13, 1955[1]) is a criminal defense attorney based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Chesnoff is known for his former partnership, with Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman, as well as his reputation for handling complex, high-profile cases.[2] Chesnoff has represented a wide range of celebrities as well as notorious crime figures.
Notable Clients
editMusicians, Entertainers, Sports Stars & Actors
editLeonardo DiCaprio, David Copperfield, [3][4] Shaquille O'Neal, [5]Andre Agassi, Britney Spears,[6] Mike Tyson, [7][8] Martha Stewart, [9] Jamie Foxx, Lindsay Lohan, Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots, Nate Dogg, [10] Suge Knight [11].
Poker Stars
editPhil Ivey [12], Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Shawn Sheikhan, [13] David "Chip" Reese.
Others
edit- Nebraska Philanthropist, Terrance Watanabe, in the largest alleged check fraud case in Clark County, Nevada history. [14][15]
- Represented Salvatore Scafidi, alleged Scarfo, organized crime family member in a death penalty case, and he was acquitted.
- Represented U.S. District Court Judge Harry Claiborne in a U.S. Senate Impeachment trial.
- David Kulik in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in a fifteen (15) ton hashish case, and received a decision of acquittal based on the legal argument of jurisdictional entrapment.
- Former HBO Chairman, Chris Albrecht. [16]
- Alleged Hells Angel members. [17]
- Represented Reno millionaire, Darren Mack in a controversial murder trial. Darren Mack's case was the topic of an NBC special entitled "Killings in the biggest little city." [18]
- Chesnoff has also handled some of the largest controlled substances cases in American history. For example, Chesnoff represented a defendant in U.S. v. Hector Tapia. [19]
Appearances On Charlie Rose
editDavid Chesnoff appeared on the Charlie Rose show with John Gotti attorney, Albert Krieger, to discuss topics ranging from the attorney-client privilege to the infamous Cali Cartel inditements. [20]
Chesnoff & Schonfeld
editThe crossing of paths between Oscar B. Goodman and David Z. Chesnoff occurred in 1985, whereupon they formed the law firm, Goodman & Chesnoff. Based out of Las Vegas, the duo appeared in courtrooms across the United States for their clients. [21]
Goodman was elected Mayor of Las Vegas and remained a partner until 2001. After Goodman dedicated his life to politics, the firm changed its name to Chesnoff & Schonfeld, and Richard A. Schonfeld became a named partner.[1]
Preferring to maintain a boutique firm structure, the attorneys handle each and every matter individually. Chesnoff & Schonfeld have taken the most difficult of cases, developed new law and have set precedents in the fields of constitutional, criminal and forfeiture law. [1]
"A major distinction between our firm and other law firms is we take cases with the understanding that we're taking it to trial," said Chesnoff.[1]
Chesnoff travels the nation lecturing on cross-examination and other trial techniques, and have often been called upon to represent his peers, as a "lawyers's lawyer."[1]
Chesnoff and Schonfeld is listed as one of the country's top criminal law firms in several directories, including The National Directory of Criminal Lawyers. David Chesnoff has been featured on "48 Hours," "Nancy Grace," "ABC's Nightly News," "Charlie Rose Show," A&E's "American Justice" and City Confidential.[1]
The firm carries the highest legal ability rating in Martindale-Hubbell.[1]
Superlawyers.com
editDavid Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld have been recognized for their work by Super Lawyers. [22]
Super Lawyers maintains a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have accomplished a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. [1]
Super Lawyers is published as a special supplement in newspapers and city and regional magazines across the country. Super Lawyers magazine, featuring articles about attorneys named to the Super Lawyers list, is distributed to all attorneys in the state or region, the lead corporate counsel of Russell 3000 companies and the ABA-approved law school libraries.
Polling, research and selection are performed by Law & Politics, a publication of Key Professional Media, Inc. Law & Politics has been publishing legal magazines since 1990 and Super Lawyers since 1991.
In selecting attorneys for Super Lawyers, Law & Politics employs a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.
The objective of the process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
Education
editSuffolk University Law School, J.D., 1979, Alfred University, B.A., cum laude, 1976.[1]
Admitted
editChesnoff is admitted to the bar in the following jurisdictions:
1979, Texas and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas; 1981, Nevada and U.S. District Court, District of Nevada; 1988, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1989, U.S. District Court, District of Montana; 1997, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona; U.S. District Court, Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California; U.S. District Court, District of Alabama; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico; U.S. District Court, District of Utah; U.S. District Court, District of Vermont; U.S. Court of Appeals, First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits; 1988, U.S. Supreme Court.[1]
Areas of practice
editChesnoff & Schonfeld specializes in: Civil Trial Practice, Constitutional Law, Criminal Trial Practice, Contracts, Business Litigation, Property Law, Personal Injury, White Collar Crimes, Appeals, Family Law, and Entertainment.[1]
Partners
editRichard A. Schonfeld, Esq.
Education:
California Western School of Law, J.D., 1998. University of Western Ontario, B.A., 1996.
Admitted:
1998, Nevada and U.S. District Court, District of Nevada; 1999, California; 2001, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; 2002, U.S. District Court, Central District of California; 2003, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.
Chaka T. Crome, Esq.
Education:
University of Akron, J.D., 2002. University of Nevada, B.A., 1998.
Admitted:
2002 Nevada.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j http://www.martindale.com/Chesnoff-Schonfeld-A-Professional/1067665-law-firm-office.htm
- ^ http://www.nacdl.org/public.nsf/Events/drugs_faculty?Opendocument
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/19/copperfield.probe/index.html
- ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/10/19/2007-10-19_woman_alleges_david_copperfield_raped_he.html
- ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/magazine/08/03/scorecard0809/index.html
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3366529.stm
- ^ http://www.kocorner.com/boxing/category/Tyson-DUI-Case/
- ^ http://www.daylife.com/photo/06pl3jD8tf4yg
- ^ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/22/lkl.01.html
- ^ http://www.charlierose.com/guest/view/4908
- ^ http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/05/suge-shakes-off-battery-drug-charges/
- ^ http://www.pokerroad.com/pokerazzi/5-16-08/
- ^ http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/2744-poker-pro-shawn-sheikhan-facing-deportation-to-iran
- ^ http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/05/neb-philanthropist-faces-vegas-casino-debt-charge
- ^ http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/20/man-147-million-gambling-debts-pleads-not-guilty/
- ^ http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/05/08/if-youre-in-las-vegas-and-in-trouble-call-david-chesnoff/
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4377933.stm
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25643775/
- ^ http://www.annadavid.com/articles/chesnoff.html
- ^ http://www.charlierose.com/guest/view/4908
- ^ http://www.annadavid.com/articles/chesnoff.html
- ^ http://www.superlawyers.com/nevada/Las-Vegas/Criminal-Defense/browse