Thomas Arthur Kenniff

Thomas Arthur Kenniff

also known as Tom Kenniff, Thomas Kenniff

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at New York, NY
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, Military Law

87 Walker Street, New York, NY

About Thomas

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

As a former Assistant District Attorney, former active-duty Army Judge Advocate General (JAG), and veteran defense attorney, I successfully defended clients accused of crimes in state, federal and military courts.

26 years

50%
Federal Crime 25%

From Bribery & Wire Fraud to Narcotics & Trafficking, there is no Federal Case I don't handle. My efforts in Federal Court have been chronicled in the NY Times, Daily News and beyond. The results speak for themselves.

17 years

25%
Military Law 25%

With over 20 years of experience as a JAG Corps Officer in the Army National Guard, I have defended hundreds of military accused. Recently I obtained a dismissal of all court's martial charges for a service academy cadet facing a life sentence.

22 years

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 25 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2001

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

Raiser & Kenniff, P.C.

87 Walker Street, New York, NY, 10013

Raiser & Kenniff, P.C.

300 Old Country Road, Suite 351, Mineola, NY, 11501

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Thomas Arthur Kenniff's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

106 Client Reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 27 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | October 12, 2014 | Criminal Defense

Top Notch

Mr. Kenniff was extremely helpful advising me concerning a potential marijuana possession case. He knows his stuff and is prompt, respectful and sympathetic. I would be happy to recommend him.

Posted by Jennifer | January 09, 2014 | Criminal Defense

Tom Kenniff

I was represented by this Law Firm in a criminal case. Tom Kenniff was my attorney, and he was a true blessing for me. I was so scared when I initially found out I was being charged with a crime. I called a few lawyers, and Tom Kenniff got back to me ASAP in fact, within the hour after I called. ...He was great!!! He calmed me right down and told me I would be okay, and he went on to explain thoroughly why I should NOT worry. Tom was there for me 100 %, he always returned all my calls in a timely manner. I was being charged with a misdemeanor, I was terrified I would have a permanent criminal record due to the charge. In the end, Tom played all of his cards right, and my case was DISMISSED!! Tom rescued me when I was terrified and confused, after listening to him closely and following his expert advise, my case was DISMISSED, my finger prints, mug shot, and complete arrest record is now erased just like it never happened. If you or someone you know is in trouble call Thomas Kenniff, his 10.0 Avvo rating speaks for itself as does this testimonial. Thank you Tom!!

Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2013 | Criminal Defense

I definitely would recommend Thomas Kenniff to anyone needing a criminal attorney

I think Tom is a very talented criminal defense attorney. He will get you the best result possible in your situation. I recently got in trouble with the law and got hit with DUI charges as well as weapons possession when my car was illegally searched. It was one of those, "your key was still in the ...ignition while you were parked" type of deals. It was a very stressful and unfortunate situation. Tom was there every step of the way. He is very professional and took the time to thoroughly explain my situation to me and ALL the possible outcomes. He answers all of your questions and I was confident he was handling my case to the best of his abilities. Tom was successful in getting most all of the charges dropped. I plead guilty to a DWAI traffic infraction. I would recommend Tom to anyone needing a good defense.

Posted by anonymous | April 04, 2013 | Criminal Defense

Professional, Articulate and Effective!

Tom is an experienced attorney with excellent understanding of the system and laws. He's very articulate and patiently listens to all facts before arriving at his case strategy. I found myself in an unfortunate situation (misdemeanour) and was not happy with my previous lawyer's results. Tom stepp...ed in (on a saturday evening!) reviewed the case with me in detail and got me the outcome I was hoping for. Tom has presence and gravitas in Manhattan court and did an excellent job of representing me!

Posted by Stanley | April 02, 2012 | Criminal Defense

Extremely grateful for his help

My wife required legal assistance as she was accused of stealing from a large retailer. She admits to forgetting to pay for a $20 item, but was charged for a much larger amount. My wife's scenario is extremely sensitive to me since she is not a citizen and could face immigration issues based on out...come. We have never been in a situation like this, and I did not know where to turn for advice. I was hesitant to contact friends for references since I was scared they would pass judgment on us. Luckily I ran across this website and found Mr. Kenniff. Like many of you reading this now, I was seeking the best lawyer I could find and read all the reviews from prior clients to make a decision. Surprisingly, his rates are extremely fair given his reputation and experience. I remember calling Mr. Kenniff on a Sunday evening, and he promptly returned my phone call within minutes. He took the time to explain what my wife was being charged and how he expects the scenario to play out. Everything that is stated from Mr. Kenniff's clients is true. He is honest, knowledgable, and truly cares about his clients. He makes you feel comfortable and does not pass judgment given what my wife was being charged with. He explains throughly the options for his clients. We actually had scheduled a consultation with another lawyer later in that day, but retained his services after speaking with him. During the desk appearance day, Mr. Kenniff arrived on time. Once we saw him, we were much more at ease knowing we were in good hands. My wife received the ACD which alleviated my worries. He then reexplained to us what that meant and provided recommendations. I cannot explain in words how grateful I am for Mr. Kenniff. I know charges are brought upon people everyday, but his assistance also helped keep my family together since I would no longer need to worry about immigration. After all, what is more important than family. His ratings on this site is a 10, and after working with him, I can attest and understand why it is. I am so grateful that he represented my wife.

See All Client Reviews

Thomas Arthur Kenniff's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Thomas
Nipun Marwaha headshot
Nipun Marwaha

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joseph Potashnik headshot
Joseph Potashnik

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Kenniff is a tireless and dedicated criminal defense attorney who cares about his clients. Highly recommend!."

Robert Caliendo headshot
Robert Caliendo

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tom knows the New York City criminal justice system well. He has great instincts and is a dedicated advocate."

Alice M. Kenniff headshot
Alice Kenniff

Unknown lawyer | Nov 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Todd Andrew Spodek headshot
Todd Spodek

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Friend

"Tom is in court on a daily basis, and does not hesitate to take on "unwinnable" cases. He is a hardworking, loyal advocate who gets results for his clients."

John M. DeProspo headshot
John DeProspo

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Kenniff is a dedicated, highly-skilled lawyer well-respected within the legal community. I fully endorse him."

Jill L Rogers headshot
Jill Rogers

Unknown lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Nov 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Peter Bassett Jr. headshot
Michael Bassett

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 09

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Dmitriy Shakhnevich headshot
Dmitriy Shakhnevich

Violent crime lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Khadija Ann Misuraca headshot
Khadija Misuraca

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Brian O'Keefe Kennedy headshot
Brian Kennedy

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard E Weltman headshot
Richard Weltman

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Tom Kenniff is always a pleasure to work with. He is a skilled white-collar criminal defense lawyer, well known for his many appearances on cable news. Tom has terrific instincts, thinks quickly and advocates clearly.He is compassionate and the client's interests always come first. I am pleased to recommend him."

Anthony Paul Delluniversita headshot
Anthony Delluniversita

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. One of the best."

Brian J. Griffin headshot
Brian Griffin

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an excellent attorney and an asset to the profession."

Tsirina Goroshit headshot
Tsirina Goroshit

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Matisyahu Wolfberg headshot
Matisyahu Wolfberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joey Jackson headshot
Joey Jackson

Unknown lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse him highly. Talented trial lawyer. Well prepared, focused, knowledgeable about the law and procedural issues, cares about his client, and effective in his representation."

Joseph A Lo Piccolo headshot
Joseph Lo Piccolo

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is extremely experienced and very compentent in all areas of criminal law."

View All Endorsements
Valerie K. Mitchell headshot
Valerie Mitchell

Criminal defense lawyer

Khadija Ann Misuraca headshot
Khadija Misuraca

Divorce and separation lawyer

Joseph A Lo Piccolo headshot
Joseph Lo Piccolo

Criminal defense lawyer

Joey Jackson headshot
Joey Jackson

Employment and labor lawyer

Danny Joseph Naggiar headshot
Danny Naggiar

Family lawyer

Jill Christine Schaefer headshot
Jill Schaefer

Criminal defense lawyer

Scott Ross Schaffer headshot
Scott Schaffer

Insurance lawyer

Sung Hyun Hwang headshot
Sung Hwang

Military law lawyer

Brian O'Keefe Kennedy headshot
Brian Kennedy

Securities and investment fraud lawyer

Edward A. Fregosi Jr. headshot
Edward Fregosi

Trusts lawyer

Catherine Jean Jones headshot
Catherine Jones

Personal injury lawyer

Peter B. Krupp headshot
Peter Krupp

Criminal defense lawyer

Alexander George Levine headshot
Alexander Levine

Litigation lawyer

Matthew J. Blit headshot
Matthew Blit

Personal injury lawyer

Thomas William Wilson headshot
Thomas Wilson

Litigation lawyer

Larry Lum headshot
Larry Lum

Litigation lawyer

George Deflumer McHugh headshot
George McHugh

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jennifer A Bonjean headshot
Jennifer Bonjean

Civil rights lawyer

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Personal injury lawyer

Giovanni Luciano Escobedo headshot
Giovanni Escobedo

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2010

Court Officers "Amicus" Attorney Award, NYS Fraternal Organization of Court Officers

2010

Ranked Top 10 DUI Lawyer in Northeast, Arrive Magazine

2009

Army Achievement Medal, US Army

2006

Distinguished Public Service Award, New York State Bar Association

2006

Meritorious Service Medal, US Army

2006

Medal for Merit, State of New York

2005

Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army

2005

Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, US Army

1997

High Distinction Award, University of Rochester, Department of History

Work Experience

2006 - Present

Founding Partner, Raiser & Kenniff, P.C.

2004 - 2005

JAG (Active Duty), US Army JAG Corps

2002 - 2006

Assistant District Attorney, District Attorney's Office

2000 - 2002

Attorney, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker

Associations

2015 - Present

Federal Bar Association

Military Law Committee

2010 - Present

New York County Criminal Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Member

2008 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

General Member

2008 - Present

Columbian Lawyers Association, 1st Dept

Member

2008 - Present

Cocktails for Charity

Board of Directors

2007 - Present

Brooklyn Bar Association

Member

2007 - Present

Queens County Bar Association

Member

2006 - Present

Nassau Criminal Court's Bar Association

Member

2006 - Present

Nassau County Bar Association

Member

2001 - Present

New York City Bar

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

People of the State of New York v Anonymous

Not Guilty on all criminal counts

People of the State of New York v (client's name protected)

Not Guilty

People of the State of New York v (client name protected)

dismissal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2012

Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army

Judge Advocate Officers Advanced Course

2004

Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army

Officer's Basic Course 164th (JAG)

2000

Hofstra University School of Law

Juris Doctorate

1997

University of Rochester

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

US ARMY Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy Cource, Boulder, CO

Defending Sexual Assault Cases (Facilitator)

2017

How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted The Admissibility of Electronic Evidence at Trial

2017

Army National Guard JAG Corps Trial Defense Services Combined Regional Trainning Conference

Defending Drug Cases

2016

Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy Course Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy (Facilitator)

2011

Studio B with Shepard Smith Defending Political Corruption Cases

2010

42nd Infantry Division Legal Conference

Rules of Engagement and Law of War

Publications

2008

Newsday Community reflects on Nassau County DWI "Wall of Shame"

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution