Steven Raiser is a founding partner at Raiser & Kenniff, PC, where he practices litigation for criminal defense and civil matters.
Steven is a native of Long Island and has also resided in Manhattan and the Bronx. Before attending college, Steven served as a counselor for teenagers who had trouble with the law and were residing in group homes. While attending law school at night, Steven ran a full-service social work and community service program in mid-town Manhattan. Here, he supervised individuals previously convicted of crimes through Rikers Island’s Early Release Program.
Since being admitted to the New York Bar, Steven has represented the City of New York, serving as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel. He handled all aspects of litigation in child neglect cases there, representing the interests of the children and the city.
Steven has served as an Assistant District Attorney, successfully prosecuting hundreds of high-profile criminal cases, from violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to homicides. During his time as a prosecutor, Steven was involved in well-documented cases such as those involving Rapper DMX and NY Rangers’ Defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh.
While serving as a prosecutor, he joined the U.S. Army and volunteered for active duty in Iraq. As a commissioned officer in the Army National Guard Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he served in the office of the Staff Judge Advocate, defending soldiers from actions instituted by the federal government, making probable cause determinations for the command, and assisting in the training of Iraqi soldiers in legal proceedings.
In recognition of his service in Iraq, he earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for meritorious service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional meritorious service during combat operations. He, along with his unit, received the New York State Bar Association’s Award for Excellence in Public Service and was presented with our state flag by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
Steven is a graduate of the Albany State University, School of Criminal Justice and earned his Juris Doctorate at St. John’s University School of Law, where he received the Excellence for the Future Award for excellent achievement in the area of criminal trial advocacy and was a recipient of the certificate of appreciation from the Nassau County Bar Association.
Steven has formerly served as a member of the Veterans and Military Law Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association, as a Past President of The Criminal Court’s Bar Association of Nassau County, and as a former President of the Nassau County Criminal Courts Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting disadvantaged youth and adult.
Steven is an active member of the New York, Suffolk, and Nassau County Bar Associations. In addition, Steven currently serves as a mentor to attorneys through the Nassau County Assigned Counsel Panel. He is also the President of the Political Action Committee, Citizens for Veterans in Government, and a member of the Veterans’ Legal Assistance Project (devoted to assisting low-income veterans).
Steven M. Raiser is admitted to practice law in New York, in the state courts and federal court in the Eastern District. On November 14, 2010, he was sworn in to the United States Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Roberts in Washington, D.C. Steven has appeared as a legal analyst for FOX, CNN, and Court TV (TRU TV). His interviews on CNN and FOX have been posted to their websites and have been showcased under “must see videos.”
Steven M. Raiser is rated Superb on the lawyer-ranking website, Avvo, and has held the AV Preeminent Rating since 2016. This rating is Martindale-Hubbell's highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards by both members of the Bar and Judiciary. This rating represents the pinnacle of professional excellence. It is achieved only after an attorney has been reviewed and recommended by members of the bar and the judiciary.