David Chesnoff

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Chesnoff
Born (1955-05-13) May 13, 1955 (age 68)
Paterson, New Jersey
Alma materSuffolk University (J.D. 1979)
Alfred University (B.A. 1976)
OccupationCriminal defense attorney

David Zeltner Chesnoff (born May 13, 1955[1]) is an American criminal defense attorney based in Las Vegas. Chesnoff was a law partner of Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman.[2] Chesnoff has represented celebrities as well as crime figures.[3]

The crossing of paths between Goodman and Chesnoff occurred in 1985, whereupon they formed the law firm, Goodman & Chesnoff. Based in Las Vegas, the duo appeared in courtrooms across the United States for their clients. Goodman was elected Mayor of Las Vegas and remained a partner until 2001. After Goodman went into politics, the firm changed its name to Chesnoff & Schonfeld, and Richard A. Schonfeld became a named partner.[1] David Chesnoff, now runs the Las Vegas firm, Chesnoff & Schonfeld with partner Richard A. Schonfeld. Robert Z. DeMarco is also an associate attorney with the law firm.

Chesnoff and Schonfeld is listed as one of the country's top criminal law firms by The National Directory of Criminal Lawyers. Chesnoff has been featured on "48 Hours," "Nancy Grace," "ABC's Nightly News," "Charlie Rose Show," A&E's "American Justice" and City Confidential. The firm carries the highest legal ability rating in Martindale-Hubbell.[1]

Awards[edit]

AFHU Scopus Award[edit]

Chesnoff was recognized with the 2024 American Friends of the Hebrew University Scopus Award on January 20, 2024.[4]

Notable clients[edit]

Musicians, entertainers, sports stars and actors[edit]

Jeff Ross, Philthy Rich , Cristiano Ronaldo, Henry Ruggs III, Vince Neil,[5] Bruno Mars,[6][7] Michael Jackson's family,[8] Leonardo DiCaprio, David Copperfield,[9][10] Shaquille O'Neal,[11] Andre Agassi, Britney Spears,[12] Mike Tyson,[13][14] Martha Stewart,[15] Jamie Foxx, Lindsay Lohan, Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots, Nate Dogg,[16] Suge Knight,[17] Paris Hilton,[18] Alistair Overeem,[19] Charles Oakley,[20] Jarret Stoll, and Chumlee.

Poker stars[edit]

Phil Ivey,[21] Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan,[22] Shawn Sheikhan,[23] David "Chip" Reese, "The Mouth" Matusow, Kenna James , Wei Seng "Paul" Phua,[24] and Dan Bilzerian.

Others[edit]

  • Nebraska philanthropist, Terrance Watanabe, in the largest alleged check fraud case in Clark County, Nevada history.[25][26][27]
  • 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-ton hashish case, and received a decision of acquittal based on the legal argument of jurisdictional entrapment.
  • Former HBO Chairman, Chris Albrecht.[28]
  • Alleged Hells Angel members.[29][30]
  • Former Biloxi, Mississippi mayor Pete Halat.
  • Businessman Juan Bravo in a trial with Senator Héctor Martínez Maldonado from Puerto Rico in 2010.[31]
  • 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."[32]
  • Chesnoff has handled some of the largest controlled substances cases in American history. For example, Chesnoff represented a defendant in U.S. v. Hector Tapia.[33]
  • Robert Durst - co-counsel in the case of State of California v. Robert Durst.[34]

David 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 indictments.[35]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Chesnoff & Schonfeld A Professional Corporation – Las Vegas, Nevada Office Profile on". Martindale.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  2. ^ "The National Trial Lawyers". The National Trial Lawyers. Archived from the original on April 5, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  3. ^ "Defender: David Z. Chesnoff | Reno Gazette-Journal". rgj.com. September 30, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "2024 Las Vegas Scopus Awards". American Friends of the Hebrew University. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Vince Neil Arrested On Drunk Driving Charge". Fox News. Reuters. April 7, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  6. ^ "Lawyer: Bruno Mars Court Date Postponed In Vegas | Access Hollywood – Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  7. ^ "Bruno Mars Gets Plea Deal in Drug Bust". TMZ.com. February 4, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  8. ^ "Vegas attorney thrust into Jackson family spotlight – Friday, July 24, 2009 | 2 a.m." Las Vegas Sun. July 24, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  9. ^ "Sources: Police look into sexual assault claim against Copperfield". CNN. October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  10. ^ "Woman alleges David Copperfield raped her". Daily News. New York. October 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  11. ^ "SI.com – Magazine – Scorecard: A New Witness – Tuesday August 3, 2004 5:32 pm". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  12. ^ "Entertainment | Britney's short marriage annulled". BBC News. January 6, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  13. ^ Chandler, John. "Tyson DUI Case". KO Corner. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  14. ^ "Photo from AP Photo". Daylife.com. September 24, 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  15. ^ "CNN.com – Transcripts". Transcripts.cnn.com. October 22, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  16. ^ "Jury Acquits Rap Singer of 1 Charge, Deadlocks on Another – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. July 20, 1996. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  17. ^ "Suge Shakes Off Battery, Drug Charges". TMZ.com. December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "Paris Hilton Hires Top Las Vegas Lawyer". TMZ.com. August 28, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  19. ^ Hill, Adam (January 31, 2012). "UFC fighter Overeem charged with battery". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  20. ^ Schad, Tom. "Charles Oakley pleads no contest, resolves case stemming from Vegas arrest, lawyers say". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  21. ^ [1][dead link]
  22. ^ Johnstone, Jay (April 7, 2009). "Johnny Chan Exclusive Interview". Insidepokermag.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  23. ^ Pajich, Bob (September 21, 2007). "Poker Pro Shawn Sheikhan Facing Deportation to Iran – Poker News". Cardplayer.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  24. ^ "Judge dismisses World Cup-linked betting case against Malaysian businessman". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 1, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  25. ^ [2][dead link]
  26. ^ muddapucker (May 20, 2009). "Man with $14.7 million in gambling debts pleads not guilty – Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 1:31 pm". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  27. ^ pbrenos (July 17, 2009). "High-roller fights law regarding collection of gambling debts – Friday, July 17, 2009 | 2 a.m." Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  28. ^ Lattman, Peter (May 8, 2007). "If You're in Las Vegas and in Trouble, Call David Chesnoff – Law Blog – WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  29. ^ Summers, Chris (July 25, 2005). "Americas | A murderous night in Nevada". BBC News. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  30. ^ "Hells Angels get stay from court – Friday, July 22, 2005 | 11:09 am". Las Vegas Sun. July 22, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  31. ^ Unlimited Studios. "Puerto Rico Daily Sun – Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world". Prdailysun.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  32. ^ "Killings in 'the biggest little city' - Dateline NBC - Crime reports". NBC News. November 7, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  33. ^ [3] Archived August 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ "Witness in Robert Durst murder case testifies he suspected the victim's manager in the slaying". Los Angeles Times. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  35. ^ "David Chesnoff". Charlie Rose. June 15, 1995. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Chesnoff&oldid=1221649849"