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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Federal Forfeiture and Seizure Lawyers
Navigating Complex Federal Forfeiture & Seizure Cases: How to Find the Right Lawyer
If federal law enforcement has seized your cash, property or other assets, you need an attorney experienced in federal forfeiture law on your side. Federal forfeiture cases are inherently complicated and the deck is stacked against you. Having the right legal representation makes all the difference between successfully fighting seizure or losing your assets permanently. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the process of finding the best lawyer to handle your federal forfeiture case.
Why Hiring a Lawyer is Critical for Federal Forfeiture Cases
When assets are seized federally, the laws and procedures involved are different and more complex than state forfeiture cases. An adept federal forfeiture lawyer is critical for the following reasons:
Meet Strict Deadlines
You have very tight deadlines to file a federal claim contesting any seizure, often as little as 30 days. Missing deadlines means automatically losing your right to fight. A lawyer knows how to quickly take action.
Navigate Byzantine Federal Laws
Forfeiture laws like CAFRA contain confusing burdens of proof, complex innocent owner provisions, intricate equitable sharing rules and other nuances. Only a specialized federal forfeiture attorney fully understands the laws.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Deal with Multiple Agencies
Multiple federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS and DHS could be involved. A lawyer experienced with each agency’s procedures can coordinate and strategically approach.
Stand Up to DOJ’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Section
Your attorney must be prepared to litigate against the Department of Justice’s feared Civil Asset Forfeiture Section – the most seasoned forfeiture litigation team in the country. Their job is to make you forfeit assets.
Mitigate Criminal Charges
A skilled lawyer can often negotiate return of some assets in exchange for mitigation of criminal prosecution. This requires expertise and strategic coordination.
With so much intricacy in federal forfeiture law and procedure, having an expert lawyer levels the playing field against the government’s advantage.
How to Find the Right Federal Forfeiture Attorney
Finding the right lawyer for a federal forfeiture case takes research. Look for the following qualifications:
Forfeiture-Specific Experience
Find a lawyer who specializes in forfeiture defense and routinely handles federal forfeiture litigation. Avoid lawyers who dabble in forfeiture sporadically among many practice areas. You want forfeiture expertise.
Admitted to Relevant Federal District Court
The lawyer must be admitted to practice law in the specific federal district court where your forfeiture case is filed, like the Eastern District of Virginia. Check their admissions.
Membership in Forfeiture Associations
Look for membership in forfeiture-focused legal groups like the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Asset Forfeiture Abuse Task Force. This demonstrates forfeiture commitment.
Tenacity and Resources
Federal forfeiture cases often become drawn-out litigation against DOJ lawyers with vast resources. Choose a lawyer with the tenacity, staffing and funding to go to the mat. Make sure they won’t be outgunned.
Forfeiture Victories
Verify the lawyer has a proven track record of favorable verdicts in federal forfeiture jury trials and success returning seized assets to clients. Avoid unproven claims. See real cases won.
Conducting diligent research ensures you find the ideal attorney for your federal forfeiture needs.
Most Important Attributes in a Federal Forfeiture Lawyer
When your property and livelihood are on the line, you need the absolute best legal representation. Here are the key attributes to prioritize:
Laser Focus on Forfeiture Defense
Reject lawyers covering many legal fields. Your attorney should concentrate exclusively on forfeiture defense and nothing else. This single-minded expertise yields best results.
Deep Knowledge of Federal Forfeiture Law
Forfeiture laws contain immense nuance and complexity. Look for an attorney with encyclopedic command of key statutes like CAFRA, ARFA and FIRREA that govern federal forfeiture. Masterful knowledge is a must.
Litigation Acumen
Most forfeiture cases come down to litigation and fighting in court. Your lawyer must have polished litigation skills – motion practice, discovery, evidence rules, trial experience, appeals. Look for a fierce litigator.
Agency-Specific Experience
Each federal agency has different rules and procedures. Find a lawyer experienced across the board with DEA, FBI, IRS and DHS forfeitures to understand each agency fully.
Winning Forfeiture Verdicts
At the end of the day, you want an attorney who can actually win at trial and in appeals. Verify their forfeiture-specific case results, not just generic credentials. Past victory predicts future success.
Compassion and Commitment
You need an attorney who cares and will fight tirelessly to get your property back. Find one who is passionate about protecting client assets and beating forfeitures. Don’t settle for indifference.
Picking the right federal forfeiture lawyer determines if you win or lose your assets. Do your homework to identify the best attorney for your situation.
Why Choose Us for Your Federal Forfeiture Case
If your assets were seized federally, I strongly encourage you to choose [My Law Firm] to get your property returned. For over 15 years, we have specialized in successfully fighting complex federal forfeitures and achieved exceptional results for clients.
Forfeiture Defense All We Do
Our firm focuses 100% on forfeiture defense, allowing us to be completely dedicated to protecting client assets and defeating seizures. We live and breathe forfeiture law.
Over 300 Federal Forfeiture Wins
We’ve won hundreds of federal cases – at trial, through motions, and in negotiations. Our case results speak for themselves. We know what it takes to win. See our case victories.
DOJ Forfeiture Section Experience
We’ve gone up against the DOJ’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Section – the toughest federal forfeiture attorneys – and won numerous cases. We know their strategies and how to beat them.
Perfect 10 Avvo Rating
Our firm and attorneys are top-rated on Avvo, the leading legal rating site. We have the highest ratings for a reason – we get results. Check out our perfect 10 score.
Don’t take chances with your assets. Contact us today for dedicated, forfeiture-focused representation. Our specialized expertise can make all the difference.
