David Chesnoff

David Chesnoff
Born	May 13, 1955 Paterson, New Jersey
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Suffolk University (J.D. 1979) Alfred University (B.A. 1976)
Occupation	Criminal defense attorney

David Z. Chesnoff (born May 13, 1955^[1]) is a criminal defense attorney based in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 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.

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]

Notable clients

Musicians, entertainers, sports stars and actors

Vince Neil,^[4] Bruno Mars,^[5][6] Michael Jackson's family,^[7] Leonardo DiCaprio, David Copperfield,^[8][9] Shaquille O'Neal,^[10] Andre Agassi, Britney Spears,^[11] Mike Tyson,^[12][13] Martha Stewart,^[14] Jamie Foxx, Lindsay Lohan, Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots, Nate Dogg,^[15] Suge Knight,^[16] Paris Hilton,^[17] Alistair Overeem.^[18]

Poker stars

Phil Ivey,^[19] Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan,^[20] Shawn Sheikhan,^[21] David "Chip" Reese, "The Mouth" Matusow and Kenna James.

Others

• Nebraska philanthropist, Terrance Watanabe, in the largest alleged check fraud case in Clark County, Nevada history.^[22][23][24]
• 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.^[25]
• Alleged Hells Angel members.^[26][27]
• Former Biloxi, MS mayor Pete Halat
• Businessman Juan Bravo in a trial with Senator Héctor Martínez Maldonado from Puerto Rico in 2010.^[28]
• 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."^[29]
• 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.^[30]

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.^[31]

References

1. "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. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
3. "Defender: David Z. Chesnoff | Reno Gazette-Journal". rgj.com. September 30, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
4. Reuters (April 7, 2010). "Vince Neil Arrested On Drunk Driving Charge". Fox News. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
5. "Lawyer: Bruno Mars Court Date Postponed In Vegas | Access Hollywood – Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
6. "Bruno Mars Gets Plea Deal in Drug Bust". TMZ.com. February 4, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
7. "Vegas attorney thrust into Jackson family spotlight – Friday, July 24, 2009 | 2 a.m.". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
8. "Sources: Police look into sexual assault claim against Copperfield". CNN. October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
9. "Woman alleges David Copperfield raped her". Daily News. New York. October 20, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
10. "SI.com – Magazine – Scorecard: A New Witness – Tuesday August 3, 2004 5:32 pm". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
11. "Entertainment | Britney's short marriage annulled". BBC News. January 6, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
12. Chandler, John. "Tyson DUI Case". KO Corner. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
13. "Photo from AP Photo". Daylife.com. September 24, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
14. "CNN.com – Transcripts". Transcripts.cnn.com. October 22, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
15. "Jury Acquits Rap Singer of 1 Charge, Deadlocks on Another – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. July 20, 1996. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
16. "Suge Shakes Off Battery, Drug Charges". TMZ.com. December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
17. "Paris Hilton Hires Top Las Vegas Lawyer". TMZ.com. August 28, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
18. Hill, Adam (January 31, 2012). "UFC fighter Overeem charged with battery". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
20. Johnstone, Jay (April 7, 2009). "Johnny Chan Exclusive Interview". Insidepokermag.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
21. Pajich, Bob (September 21, 2007). "Poker Pro Shawn Sheikhan Facing Deportation to Iran – Poker News". Cardplayer.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
23. muddapucker. "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.
24. pbrenos. "High-roller fights law regarding collection of gambling debts – Friday, July 17, 2009 | 2 a.m.". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
25. 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.
26. Summers, Chris (July 25, 2005). "Americas | A murderous night in Nevada". BBC News. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
27. "Hells Angels get stay from court – Friday, July 22, 2005 | 11:09 am". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
28. Unlimited Studios. "Puerto Rico Daily Sun – Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world". Prdailysun.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
29. "Killings in 'the biggest little city' - Dateline NBC - Crime reports". MSNBC. November 7, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
30. Archived August 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
31. "David Chesnoff". Charlie Rose. June 15, 1995. Retrieved October 20, 2011.