Michael Jeffrey Kessler

I’ve had the privilege of representing a diverse range of clients, including public figures like a judge, a vice-mayor, a county commissioner, and even a major league baseball player. Occasionally, I find myself defending individuals labeled as this year’s "Public Enemy Number One." But my work isn’t limited to high-profile cases—I’m just as committed to helping everyday people navigate the legal system. The Florida Bar has recognized me as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, a distinction earned by only a small percentage of criminal attorneys in the state. This certification reflects my knowledge, skills, and dedication to professionalism and ethics in the practice of law. I’ve also had the opportunity to share my insights on DUI defense and criminal trial strategies at continuing education seminars across the country. I’ve taught for organizations such as The Florida Bar, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Public Defenders Association, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and the National College for DUI Defense. Forensic science is an area of particular interest to me. I’ve developed a knack for helping juries distinguish between legitimate science and unreliable methods, like so-called field sobriety exercises. Some of my recent cases include successfully defending a client against two counts of DUI manslaughter in Sebastian, Florida, and resolving a hit-and-run fatality in Port St. Lucie that turned out to be a suicide by car. I also worked on the case involving the "dead guy in the trunk of the BMW" in Indian River County. My firm, The Kessler Law Firm, is based in Fort Pierce, with a satellite office in Key West. I’ve appeared in courtrooms across Florida’s Atlantic Coast, from Jacksonville to Key West, and even handled a case in Pennsylvania, where I helped get a first-degree murder indictment dismissed.