Quick Facts
Biography
David Z. Chesnoff (born May 13, 1955) is a criminal defense attorney based in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Chesnoff was a law partner of Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman. Chesnoff has represented celebrities as well as crime figures.
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. 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.
Notable clients
Musicians, entertainers, sports stars and actors
Vince Neil, Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson's family, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Copperfield, Shaquille O'Neal, Andre Agassi, Britney Spears, Mike Tyson, Martha Stewart, Jamie Foxx, Lindsay Lohan, Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots, Nate Dogg, Suge Knight, Paris Hilton, Alistair Overeem.
Poker stars
Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Shawn Sheikhan, 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.
- 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.
- Alleged Hells Angel members.
- Former Biloxi, MS mayor Pete Halat
- Businessman Juan Bravo in a trial with Senator Héctor Martínez Maldonado from Puerto Rico in 2010.
- 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."
- 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.
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.