Practice Areas
Micah Kwasnik represents individuals and small businesses facing serious legal challenges in criminal, civil, and regulatory proceedings. His practice is built on careful preparation, strategic advocacy, and a clear understanding of how legal decisions affect clients’ lives and livelihoods.
Criminal Law
For twenty years Micah Kwasnik has successfully represented criminal Defendants in both Federal and State Court. Kwasnik’s defense begins with intense scrutiny of the evidence – visiting the scene, interviewing all witnesses, vigorous motion practice to defend against unlawful searches, seizures and law enforcement malfeasance, employing experts, contesting errors of law and fighting for the Defendant’s rights and protecting his/her freedom. Kwasnik’s zealous advocacy has resulted in dismissals, acquittals and significant reductions in criminal charges. Recent examples: Kings Supreme Court, 2024, PSNY v. M.A. – Felony assault with a Deadly Weapon. Client was Assault 1st Degree, carrying a mandatory term of state prison. Kwasnik argued self-defense. Case dismissed by Prosecution after Kwasnik was able to locate exculpatory witnesses. Bronx Supreme Court, 2025, PSNY v. H.S. – Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. H.S. was arrested in possession of a gun loaded with hollow point bullets in an area known by NYPD for the sale of narcotics. Case was dismissed after suppression hearing, where Judge ruled that the Defendant was stopped, seized and searched without probable cause. Queens Supreme Court, 2025, PSNY v. I.I. – Rape in the first degree, carrying mandatory term of state prison. I.I. was accused of forcible rape. Kwasnik, after detailed investigation including interviewing many witnesses, going to the scene and tracing the movements of I.I. and complaining witness, was able to locate surveillance video calling into doubt the facts asserted in Court. Case was soon thereafter dismissed by the Prosecution.
Civil & Criminal Forfeiture
If the State or Federal Government believes that your money or property is the result of criminal activity or is being used to facilitate a crime, then law enforcement may seize your cash, car, home, gun or other personal property. The government can seize your property with or without an arrest. When this happens, you have one choice – sue the government to get you property back. This lawsuit requires and understanding of administrative law, the law and facts needed to properly establish a lawful chain of custody and ensuring compliance with the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Micah Kwasnik has sued the government dozens of times and recovered more than $3,000,000.00. Recent examples: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 2024, United States v. $96, 200.00 – United State Drug Enforcement Agency seized large sum of U.S. Currency from the client. After a detailed review and analyses of financial records and executed affidavits attesting to the lawful origin of the cash the government dismissed their case returned the full seized amount back to the client. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 2024, United States v. $189,850.00 – Diligent investigation into the seizure of the property and stop of the custodian’s vehicle by local law enforcement yielding credible evidence of manufactured probable cause. Government dismissed the case and all seized cash was returned. U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 2021, United States v. $240,000.00 – Cash was seized at Newark Airport. Kwasnik was able to demonstrate lawful contractual bailor/bailee relationship with cash and Government’s claim of failure to declare to TSA was shown to be unintentional and claim to seize under circumstances was a violation of the U.S. Constitution 8th Amendment protection and cruel and unusual punishment. Cash was returned to innocent owner.
Accident Cases
Micah Kwasnik has represented victims of accidents for the last fifteen years. Kwasnik has pursued police brutality, Constitutional & Civil Rights violations, auto accidents, slip and fall cases and premises liability. Injury cases require medical and scientific expertise/judgement, organization, strict adherence to deadlines and crucially applying the aforementioned in negotiations with insurance companies and their lawyers have resulted in Micah Kwasnik securing more than $1,500,000.00 in settlements. Recent examples: Bronx Supreme Court, 2022, J.A v. City of New York & M.G. – J.A., a minor, was run over by a car service/taxi vehicle sustaining serious physical injuries. Kwasnik sued both the driver and the City of New York for failing to have a traffic calming study and otherwise failing to detect/correct a defective roadway. Driver had minimum insurance policy. Kwasnik secured a $200,000.00 settlement from City and driver. Kings Supreme Court, 2023, M.Z. v. Laundromat – A folding table in a laundromat collapsed on the foot of M.Z. causing a broken bone. After extensive discovery, Defendant’s counsel and insured conceded that an absence of maintenance records rendered liability a certainty and settled for $75,000.00. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2016, A.A. v. City of New York – A.A. was a assaulted by a NYC Fire Department Inspector during a safety check of cooking equipment. After diligent motion practice, admission of authenticated video footage the case settled for $85,000.00. Queens Supreme Court, 2023, A.M. v. Y.P. – A.M. was lawfully riding his bicycled when he was struck by Y.P. operating his car. When NYPD arrived Y.P. lied and informed NYPD that A.M. was at fault. Accordingly, NYPD reported that A.M. was at fault. Kwasnik was a able to subpoena video surveillance of adjacent business which demonstrated incontrovertibly that Defendant lied and was at fault. Y.P.’s insurer surrendered the entire policy and settled for $25,000.00.
Administrative Law & Agency Hearings
Micah Kwasnik has represented scores of small businesses summoned and sanctioned by NYS Office of Cannabis Management, NYS Office of Tax & Finance and NYC OATH. Specifically, Kwasnik has won administrative hearings to remove the padlock on businesses for cannabis violations, dismissal on possession/sale of untaxed and unlawful tobacco products and the reduction of tax penalties for unlawful contraband.
Business Closings & Transactional Law
Micah Kwasnik has assisted clients buying and selling businesses. This includes contract formation, establishing inventory, valuing good will and securing promissory notes. Kwasnik has represented individuals and businesses buying homes/commercial properties and negotiated lending/mortgage agreements. Lastly, Micah Kwasnik has represented not for profit corporations – civic associations, religious corporations – and is fully familiar with the special rules applicable to charities.