When your freedom is on the line, you want the attorney the prosecution doesn't want to see across the courtroom.
Four decades in California's state and federal courts, defending murder, federal, and serious-felony cases — including acquittals the prosecution never saw coming.
Forty years standing between people and the worst day of their lives.
For more than 40 years, Alex R. Kessel has defended the accused in California's highest-stakes criminal cases: murder, serious federal indictments, and violent-felony charges most attorneys will never take to trial. Voice of OC has called him "a star private defense attorney" — and prosecutors know him as the lawyer who turns cases they expected to win into acquittals.
In one Los Angeles County murder prosecution, Kessel won suppression of the state's key evidence and secured a full acquittal — an outcome the lead prosecutor publicly admitted stunned him. He appears daily in state and federal courtrooms across five Southern California counties, and he tells every client the truth about where they stand before he goes to war for them.
Investigations, indictments, and sentencing in U.S. District Court — where the stakes and the resources against you are highest.
First offense to felony DUI. Challenging the stop, the testing, and the evidence at every step.
Possession, distribution, and conspiracy charges in state and federal court, including search-and-seizure defense.
Assault, battery, and serious felony charges that demand aggressive trial-ready defense.
Financial, wire, and fraud allegations requiring careful command of complex records and expert testimony.
Firearm charges and domestic violence matters — protecting your rights, your record, and your family.
Practice areas shown are representative. Every case is different; contact the office to discuss the specific charges you or a loved one is facing.
Since 1983, thousands of hours in front of judges and juries across California. Time in the courtroom is the one thing that can't be shortcut — and it shows in the results.
Most attorneys handle one or the other. Kessel appears in both state and federal court, so a case that escalates never means starting over with someone new.
Cases are won on the details. Kessel is known for dismantling weak testimony and exposing the gaps in the government's case, witness by witness.
You'll get an honest read on where you stand and a clear plan — whether that means negotiating from strength or taking the fight to trial.
Won suppression of the prosecution's key evidence in a Los Angeles County murder case and secured a complete acquittal at jury trial — a result the lead prosecutor publicly called stunning.
Won a unanimous jury acquittal in a self-defense case the district attorney had charged as attempted murder.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. The outcome of any legal matter depends on its specific facts and circumstances. Case summaries are provided for informational purposes only.
The fiercest defense lawyer I've ever seen — I wouldn't want him questioning me.
He's a beast at trial and doesn't hold back.
Two paid lawyers couldn't get it done. Alex got me time served.
No fear facing any DA or judge. Never promises — always delivers.
He got my felony DUI reduced to a misdemeanor.
Honestly — I owe this guy my life.
Testimonials reflect the experience of individual clients and are not a guarantee of any particular result.
If you or someone you love has been arrested, charged, or contacted by investigators, the sooner you have counsel, the more that can be done. Reach the office directly.
(818) 995-1422