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Jesse Gessin, Appellate Attorney in San Clemente, California

focused on Appellate, Business, and Criminal Defense

Gessin Schachter LLP

San Clemente, CA

Trusted appellate attorney serving San Clemente.

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Jesse Gessin is an attorney based in San Clemente, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Criminal Defense. Currently practicing at Gessin Schachter LLP.

Based in
San Clemente, CALIFORNIA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Appellate · Business · Criminal Defense
  • Handles Appellate, Business, and Criminal Defense matters from San Clemente, CALIFORNIA.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (Orange County) (2026).

About Jesse Gessin: Jesse Gessin is an attorney based in San Clemente, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Criminal Defense. Currently practicing at Gessin Schachter LLP.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Jesse takes on

Jesse concentrates on appellate, business, criminal defense, general, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Jesse handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Appellate cases in San Clemente, California

Jesse takes appellate matters in San Clemente, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jesse agrees to represent you.

Business cases in San Clemente, California

Jesse takes business matters in San Clemente, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jesse agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in San Clemente, California

Jesse takes criminal defense matters in San Clemente, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jesse agrees to represent you.

General cases in San Clemente, California

Jesse takes general matters in San Clemente, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jesse agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in San Clemente, California

Jesse takes litigation matters in San Clemente, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jesse agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Jesse Gessin — appellate lawyer in San Clemente

Jesse Gessin is an attorney based in San Clemente, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Criminal Defense. Currently practicing at Gessin Schachter LLP.

Jesse Gessin is trial counsel for businesses and individuals. He is the rare attorney who successfully tries both civil and criminal cases. For example, his multimillion-dollar jury verdict was recognized as the highest California verdict in several categories for that year. He entered the case only a few months before trial. In 2022, hired less than ten days before trial, Jesse achieved a complete defense verdict for a successor trustee against multimillion-dollar claims of wrongful investments. Jesse has handled hundreds of criminal matters at all phases of litigation. He has been lead counsel in over twenty federal felony jury trials to verdict and achieved dismissal, acquittal, mistrial, or reversal on appeal in over seventy percent of those trials, twenty-five percent ending in total acquittal. His acquittal rate far eclipses the national average. Jesse also has several criminal and civil appellate victories. Prior to forming Gessin Schachter LLP, Jesse was a partner in a nationally recognized business trial boutique law firm. Before then, for close to a decade, he was a deputy federal public defender in two offices. Jesse teaches trial advocacy at the University of California, Irvine School of Law (a top 30 law school by US News and World Report). He is a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America (by invitation only, limited to top 1/2 of 1 percent of lawyers nationally) – Orders of Veritas and Certus, and a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute. He holds a legal specialization in criminal law from the California State Bar and is a graduate of George Washington University Law School.

Jesse's approach to appellate cases

Jesse Gessin is trial counsel for businesses and individuals. He is the rare attorney who successfully tries both civil and criminal cases. For example, his multimillion-dollar jury verdict was recognized as the highest California verdict in several categories for that year. He entered the case only a few months before trial. In 2022, hired less than ten days before trial, Jesse achieved a…

The kind of cases Jesse takes

Jesse reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, business, and criminal defense matters in San Clemente and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • The George Washington University

    J.D. · 2005

  • University of California - San Diego

    B.A. · 2000

Jurisdictions

Jesse's state bar admissions

  • California, State Ba

    ACTIVE

Jesse studied at J.D. in The George Washington University and B.A. in University of California - San Diego.

Law school and academic background

Jesse completed J.D. in The George Washington University and B.A. in University of California - San Diego. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Jesse runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Jesse has received 19 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (Orange County)

    2026

  • Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Orange County)

    2025

  • Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Orange County)

    2023

  • Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Awards:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — 10/10 Avvo Rating (2019)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — TopVerdict, Top 100 Plaintiff’s Verdict in California (2018)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, “Top Defense Verdicts” (2018)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation “Future Star” (2019)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Life Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Los Angeles Magazine, “Southern California Super Lawyers, Business Litigation” (2020)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Listed in The Best Lawyers In America, S. Naifeh & G. Smith (2020), White Collar Criminal Defense

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (Orange County) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Orange County) (2025). Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Orange County) (2023). Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026).

Locations

Jesse Gessin's office in San Clemente

Jesse's primary office is at 910 South El Camino Real, Suite 201, San Clemente, California, 92672. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Gessin Schachter LLP

910 South El Camino Real, Suite 201

San Clemente, California 92672

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Jesse Gessin

Jesse has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Jesse Gessin — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Jesse usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Jesse charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jesse's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Jesse will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a appellate attorney in San Clemente, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Jesse

Jesse discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Jesse confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Jesse's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Jesse Gessin

  • How much does it cost to hire Jesse for a appellate case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Jesse walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Jesse offer a free consultation?

    Jesse charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jesse's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Jesse's current terms during booking.

  • How long do appellate cases in California typically take?

    Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Jesse gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Jesse take my case if I'm outside San Clemente?

    Jesse is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Jesse will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Jesse?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Jesse will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Jesse accepting new appellate clients right now?

    Jesse's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Appellate attorneys serving San Clemente, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

Jesse handles appellate matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Jesse's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these appellate attorneys in San Clemente handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.