Jesse Asher Gessin

My family and I were extremely fortunate to be represented by Jesse Gessin. When I met Jesse I was facing up to 10 years in federal prison, with a recommended sentence 18 to 24 months. The case was a slam dunk for the federal prosecutors. I couldn't have given them more evidence against me if I had tried! I thought I was going down for a federal firearms offense. Then I met Jesse who was able to eventually get the case dismissed. When I went to my first meeting with Jesse I was frustrated, angry and worried for my family and myself. I had no previous criminal history and did not know what was coming. I couldn’t stop thinking of what I was putting my family through. I was going to lose my freedom, my job of almost 20 years and my specialized license. I was a wreck, to put it mildly. Jesse was right to the point, decisive, and hands on from day one. Jesse listened to my side of the story. He understood my anxiety. He never blew smoke to put me at ease. Instead he showed me how hard he was working for me, which helped with my anxiety and made my family feel better. Jesse left no stone unturned even with the overwhelming evidence against me. During the case, I knew exactly what was taking place, what my options were and what the outcome was likely to be. Jesse always communicated honestly with me. The government originally rejected Jesse’s offer for an alternate sentencing program. The government said that because my case dealt with a serious firearms offense, I was not eligible. Jesse did not let up. In Jesse's eyes I truly was innocent until proven guilty and he pressed the case forward. After Jesse prepared the case for trial, the government agreed to let me into the alternate sentencing program. Today, my case has been dismissed and I didn’t lose my specialized license! It was a long two years, but I am so thankful I had Jesse in my corner.

I met Jesse Gessin in August 2013 at an arraignment hearing, I was charged with a white collar crime. My indictment carried a very stiff statutory time of 20 years. I had been convicted in Federal Court previously of white collar offenses. So I was terrified that would aggravate the current case in many ways. Jesse visited me regularly while I was in custody and we talked by phone weekly, He was always easy to reach and always visited me on the dates he told me he would. He kept me abreast of all correspondence with the Government and sent me copies. Jesse reviewed the case methodically to determine if I had a plausible defense. There were many taped conversations where I had been talking to an undercover FBI Agent unknowingly; after Jesse had completed a thorough review of the case he told me that he was perfectly willing to take the case to trial, but my best course of action would be a plea agreement that I could live with. Jesse began dialogue with the prosecutor on a plea agreement to determine the government’s position. Jesse kept me calm through this procedure because the initial conversation with the Government was more incarceration than I could imagine. Jesse visited me and told me the Federal Sentencing Guidelines as well as any enhancements can be argued in court at the time of sentencing. I had been to several court appearances with Jesse representing me, I could tell the Judge and Prosecutor both had a lot of respect for Jesse in the courtroom, this was comforting for me to see. Jesse came to see me and told me the government had offered a deal, 60 months with three financial enhancements. The financial enhancements raised the amount of incarceration 20+ months. He said he had researched the enhancements and had a good argument on all three. He then went back to the prosecutor and negotiated a plea agreement whereby the government would leave the enhancements in the plea agreement, but would let the judge decide the sentence based on arguments at sentencing. I accepted the deal because of my faith in Jesse. The day of sentencing Jesse did nothing short of amazing; his argument convinced the Judge that two of the three enhancements did not apply to my case. I was sentenced to 30 months by the Judge. I received 30 months because of Jesse’s knowledge in sentencing procedure and his dedication to see that I received a fair sentence. I would highly recommend Jessie Gessin to anyone who needs an Attorney that they can trust.

Mr. Gessin is hands down the most caring and professional attorney I have ever met. I first met Jesse in 2013 when I was in custody at a federal facility for a drug related crime. From the start, Jesse was honest and dedicated to helping me get a fair deal. Through Jesse's effort I was able to receive an amazing deal. He got me out of custody after only a three month jail stay, even though I was charged with an offense that had a potential mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison. Instead of jail, as my case went to court, I was placed into rehabilitation. Jesse worked hard to formulate a pitch to the prosecutor for me to be put in a program called Conviction And Sentence Alternatives (“CASA”) instead of prison and I was accepted. Because of Jesse I have had the opportunity to have a better life. I am four years sober and a full time student about to graduate with my bachelor’s degree and I have a baby on the way. I know for a fact that if Jesse would have not been my attorney I would still be sitting in prison, as I had a lawyer before him that I fired because the only deal the prior attorney could get me was 5 years in prison. Jesse not only worked exhaustively on my case, but he has gone out of his way to reach out to me to see how I am doing and even came to my graduation from CASA. I would recommend Jesse to anyone who wants to see their case resolved favorably and someone who wants an attorney who actually cares about seeing the client succeed.

I first met Attorney Jesse Gessin in January, 2013. At the time, I was under investigation by two federal law enforcement agencies: the FBI and the CFTC. As an online trader of stock options and commodities futures, I had established a client base of more than 30 individuals and companies, throughout the United States. These clients placed more than $500,000 into my personal trading accounts. Since I had incurred losses, and was an unlicensed trader, some of my clients filed complaints with the aforementioned agencies. During the investigative process, one of the FBI agents gave me contact information for the Federal Public Defenders office, in Santa Ana, California, suggesting that I contact that office immediately. The agent explained that my potential case was extremely complex, and I should retain legal counsel that was very familiar with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. After I contacted the office in Santa Ana, Mr. Gessin returned my call, conducted a telephone interview, and then petitioned the Court to appoint him as my attorney. The Court granted the request, and Mr. Gessin proceeded to provide the highest quality of legal representation that I had ever received. 1. Mr. Gessin arranged meetings with law enforcement and prosecutors at his offices, rather than in my living room in front of my wife and grandchildren. 2. Once he determined there was probable cause for federal charges, Mr. Gessin advised me to permit him to negotiate a Plea Agreement that would allow me to be charged through an "Information," instead of an "Indictment." 3. Mr. Gessin arranged an appointment for my formal arrest and arraignment, which avoided the public humiliation of an arrest at my home in Phoenix, Arizona. At the arraignment, Mr. Gessin requested and received my Pre-Trial release on an unsecured bond. 4. Mr. Gessin arranged for all subsequent Court appearances to be scheduled in a timeframe that was mutually convenient for all parties. 5. Mr. Gessin exhibited tremendous knowledge of Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which projected a sentencing range up to 78 months in my case. He subsequently prepared a written recommendation of 0 to 12 months, supported by documentation that could justify a departure below the sentencing guidelines. 6. Prior to sentencing, Mr. Gessin obtained a postponement to allow me to undergo and recover from a 5-Bypass Open Heart Surgery. 7. At the Sentencing Hearing, in July, 2014, Mr. Gessin was eloquent in his arguments before the Judge. I was pleased to observe the high degree of respect shown to Mr. Gessin by the Judge, as well as the Assistant U.S. Attorney. His performance in Court confirmed the two most important attributes that a client wishes to see in an attorney: empathy and knowledge of the law. 8. The Judge sentenced me to an active term of 24 months, which was far below the guidelines. I was pleased with the sentence, and especially grateful when Mr. Gessin was granted his request for me to "self-surrender" in 90 days to a minimum security camp. 9. Even after I was incarcerated, Mr. Gessin continued to be available for my telephone calls and email communication. He helped me obtain a supervision district change from the Central District of California to the District of Arizona. That district change enabled me to be released to a halfway house in Phoenix, after serving 14 months at the prison camp in Tucson. In conclusion, Jesse Gessin is a GREAT attorney. I highly recommend him to any individual facing a white collar criminal charge. He thoroughly understands the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, he is highly respected by the courts, the prosecutors and law enforcement, and he has an eloquent presence in a live courtroom. I will always be grateful for the representation he provided to me.