Former federal prosecutor and Army JAG lawyer. Now criminal defense attorney.
I bring over a decade of prior experience as a former prosecutor and government attorney to my work as a criminal defense attorney.
As an Active Duty Captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, I advised commanders on military law, worked inside two maximum security military prisons, oversaw disciplinary boards and hearings, and led the prosecution of criminal trials.
After the Army, I spent six years as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan. I handled hundreds of violent crime investigations and grand jury cases, worked closely with federal agencies (FBI, HSI, DEA, etc.), served as lead counsel for federal jury trials, and defended criminal appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, I chaired both the Crimes Against Children and the Human Trafficking Sections. My cases ranged from drug trafficking to firearms offenses, from sexual exploitation to human trafficking, and from misdemeanors to complex computer crimes.
I have also worked as in-house legal counsel for an international tech company, Automattic Inc., which powers WordPress.com, Tumblr, and several other online giants of blogging and ecommerce. As in-house counsel, I oversaw internal fraud investigations and defended the company against lawsuits worldwide - mainly for defamation claims based on content bloggers posted online.
Now, as a criminal defense attorney, I use my government and prosecution background to defend against charges in state and federal court. I use my in-house corporate experience to help companies investigate and defend against charges of fraud and misconduct. My trial specialties include drug charges, violent crime, tax cases, sexual assault, DUIs, misdemeanors, and white collar/corporate investigations.
Practice areas
Drug trafficking and other drug offenses, DUI and OWI, Juvenile charges
8 years, 30 cases
Firearm and gun charges, Bank robbery, Assault & battery, Homicide, Manslaughter, Domestic violence
8 years, 40 cases
Internal corporate investigations, Embezzlement, Tax fraud, Healthcare fraud, Wire fraud, Bank fraud, Benefits fraud
5 years, 5 cases
Former Army JAG Officer. Former federal prosecutor.
12 years, 110 cases
Sexual assault, Campus sex offenses (Title IX), Child pornography
12 years, 100 cases
2 years
5 years
Languages spoken
English
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI | Active And In Good Standing | 2015 | 07/21/2021 |
| NY | Currently registered | 2009 | 05/25/2021 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Brilliance Award - Social Change Agent | West Michigan Woman | 2018 |
| Unsung Hero Award | State Bar of Michigan | 2016 |
| Cum Laude | Georgetown University Law Center | 2008 |
| Distinguished Military Graduate | Army ROTC, Princeton University | 2005 |
| Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence | Princeton University | 2002 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Counsel | Springstead Bartish Borgula & Lynch, PLLC | 2020 - Present |
| In-House Legal Counsel | Automattic Inc. | 2018 - 2020 |
| Assistant United States Attorney, Western District of Michigan | U.S. Department Of Justice | 2013 - 2018 |
| Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps | U.S. Army | 2009 - 2013 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Bar Association | Member | 2020 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2020 - Present |
| Women Lawyers Association of Michigan | Member | 2019 - Present |
| Ottawa County Bar Association | Member | 2019 - Present |
| State Bar of Michigan | Member | 2015 - Present |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County | Board Member, Officer | 2014 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Bar Association | Executive Committee Member (2014-2017) | 2013 - Present |
| Junior League of Grand Rapids | President (2019-2020) | 2013 - Present |
| New York State Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
| Silent Observer of Kent County | Board Member | 2016 - 2017 |
| Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force | Chairperson (2015-2016) | 2015 - 2017 |
| Hillman Trial Advocacy Program | Steering Committee Member, Faculty | 2014 - 2018 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan | Press Releases - Violent Crime, Drug Trafficking, and Crimes Against Children | 2014 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University Law Center | JD - Juris Doctor | 2008 |
| Princeton University | AB - Applied Baccalaureate | 2005 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hillman Trial Advocacy Program | Closing Arguments - Faculty Demonstration | 2018 |
| Apps, Trafficking, and a Parent Toolkit | Protect Children Online | 2017 |
| Michigan Law Enforcement Conference | Investigating and Prosecuting Crimes Against Children | 2016 |
| Human Trafficking | Human Trafficking Prevention, Investigation, and Prosecution | 2015 |
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Tue May 25 2021
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Michael Toburen, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 10, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend Tessa Muir. Tessa is an outstanding attorney. She is extremely hardworking and dedicated. Tessa is also a wonderful person and is extremely well-respected in our community.
Matthew Borgula, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 29, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Tessa is one of the finest attorneys with whom I have worked. She is intelligent, thoughtful and diligent. I would not hesitate to hire her for the most complex criminal matters.
Kyle Konwinski, Litigation Attorney on Jan 29, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I wholeheartedly would recommend Tessa. She has incredible litigation experience and has many great experiences. She is kind and trustworthy.
Heath Lynch, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 29, 2020
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
As someone who has practiced criminal law both with and against Tessa Hessmiller, I give her my unqualified endorsement. She is diligent, well-prepared, organized, and is every bit as effective in the courtroom as a trial attorney as she is as a legal writer - a rare quality. As a former federal prosecutor, she is uniquely qualified to represent clients being investigated for, or who have been charged with, even the most serious crimes.
Pavol Fabian, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 28, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
This is an easy endorsement for me to write. Tessa was an instructor for a trial advocacy program I was in a couple of years ago. Suffice to say, she knows what she's doing and is excellent at it.
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