Trial Lawyers · Est. 2008

When the case is the company,
the lawyer matters.

Kessler & Vance is a boutique trial practice representing founders, executives, and family businesses in complex commercial and federal litigation across New York, Chicago, and Delaware.

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Tier 1 Chambers USA, 2026

$2.4B+ in settlements & verdicts

17 yrs in practice

Confidential Consultation

Your initial call is privileged, complimentary, and never escalated to a partner without your written consent.

Sixty-minute partner-led intake call
Written case-strength memo within 5 business days
Engagement letter only after both parties agree
Reviewed by ethics counsel for conflicts

Complimentary and protected by attorney-client privilege

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— Practice Areas

Five kinds of cases
we take seriously.

We take a small number of matters at any one time. Each is led by a named partner and supported by a deliberate, hand-picked team.

Commercial Litigation

Breach of contract, fraud, fiduciary duty, and inter-company disputes — typically eight-figure and up — in state and federal courts.

Contract & fraud disputes
Partnership disputes
Founder & shareholder claims
Trade secret cases

ii.

White Collar Defense

Representation of executives, directors, and companies in DOJ, SEC, and state attorney general investigations and prosecutions.

DOJ + SEC investigations
Securities fraud defense
Internal investigations
Grand jury representation

iii.

M&A Disputes

Post-closing earnouts, indemnification claims, working-capital disputes, and rescission of completed transactions.

Earnout & indemnification
Working capital disputes
Breach of representation
Delaware Chancery practice

iv.

Founder & Executive Disputes

For founders, executives, and board members on the wrong end of company action — including pre-litigation negotiation.

Founder removals
Equity & severance disputes
Restrictive covenants
Defamation defense

Appeals

Appeals practice in federal circuit courts and select state appellate courts. Three of the partners are admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Federal circuit appeals
Delaware Supreme Court
Amicus briefs
Bet-the-company reversals

vi.

Crisis Counsel

Twenty-four-hour partner-direct response for boards and CEOs facing regulatory, reputational, or litigation crises.

Board representation
Press & communications
Parallel investigations
Pre-litigation strategy

— The Attorneys

Three partners.
One bench.

Every Kessler & Vance matter is led by a named partner. We don't run a junior-staffed firm; you'll know your trial team on day one.

Daniel R. Kessler

Founding Partner · New York

Tried more than 60 cases to verdict. Former AUSA, Southern District of New York. Chambers USA "Star Individual" 2024, 2025, 2026.

J.D. · Harvard Law, 2002

A.B. · Princeton, 1999

Admitted · NY · DC · 2nd Cir · SDNY

Eleanor S. Vance

Founding Partner · Chicago

Leading Delaware Chancery practitioner. Named "Lawyer of the Year — M&A Litigation, Chicago" by Best Lawyers in 2024 and 2026.

J.D. · University of Chicago, 2004

A.B. · Williams College, 2001

Admitted · IL · NY · DE · 7th Cir

Marcus J. Albrecht

Partner · New York

White collar specialist. Former SEC Enforcement Senior Counsel. Has represented sixteen public-company executives in DOJ and SEC investigations since 2018.

J.D. · Columbia Law, 2008

B.A. · Brown University, 2005

Admitted · NY · DC · 2nd Cir · DC Cir

— Recent Results

A partial record.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Some matters omitted for client confidentiality.

$412M

Verdict for founder in SaaS earnout dispute

Successfully tried an earnout breach claim to verdict against a public-company acquirer in Delaware Chancery Court, recovering the full claimed amount plus interest.

Delaware Chancery · 2025

$210M

Settlement in PE-backed fraud action

Represented a family-business seller in claims of post-closing fraud against a private equity sponsor. Settled at trial on terms the press never saw.

SDNY · 2024

Dismissed

SEC investigation closed without action

After a 19-month SEC enforcement investigation, the staff closed its matter against our client — a public company CFO — without recommending action.

SEC Enforcement · 2024

Defense Verdict

Bet-the-company trade secret defense

Defended a Series C startup in a $180M trade secret claim brought by a Fortune 100 competitor. Two-week jury trial. Defense verdict on every count.

N.D. Cal · 2023

— Our Approach

Four commitments,
plainly stated.

Partner-Led

Every matter is led by a named partner from intake to verdict. No junior bait-and-switch after engagement.

ii.

Transparent Pricing

Most matters quoted flat-fee or with a hard cap. You'll know the budget before we file the first motion.

iii.

Real Trial Lawyers

Every partner has tried cases to verdict. We prepare every matter on the assumption it will go to a jury — because some of them will.

iv.

Small On Purpose

We take on a deliberately small number of matters at one time. If we can't give your case our full attention, we won't take it.

— Request A Consultation

A private conversation,
first.

Every inquiry is reviewed by a named partner. Initial consultations are complimentary and protected by attorney-client privilege. We typically respond within one business day.

New York Office

488 Madison Avenue, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10022

Chicago Office

208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60604

By Telephone

+1 (212) 555-0414 · +1 (312) 555-0410

Correspondence

intake@kesslervance.com

When the case is the company,the lawyer matters.