Thomas Kenniff, Esq
Thomas Kenniff began his legal career at one of the world’s largest corporate law firms, where he represented a host of major corporations and insurers in a variety of complex matters. Though highly regarded amongst his law firm colleagues, he decided he wanted to pursue a career as a criminal prosecutor. He was appointed assistant district attorney in Westchester County, where he successfully prosecuted a variety of complex criminal cases.
Mr. Kenniff also serves as a commissioned officer in the Army National Guard JAG Corps. In 2005 he deployed to Tikrit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, he played an integral role in supporting the first Iraqi elections post Saddam Hussein and provided legal support to thousands of servicemembers. He also mounted a successful defense against the military’s then existing homosexual conduct policy, saving his client’s military career and allowing him to continue his wartime service.
Following his combat deployment, Mr. Kenniff, co-founded the law firm of Raiser & Kenniff, P.C., with fellow Iraq veteran Steven Raiser. The firm has become one of New York’s preeminent criminal defense and litigation boutiques. Mr. Kenniff has tried dozens of criminal cases to verdict, in federal, state, and military courts. His courtroom success has been chronicled by the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and countless other publications. He has also appeared as an expert legal analyst on CNN, FOX, NBC and other major networks.
In 2021, Mr. Kenniff was the Republican nominee for New York County District Attorney, running a spirited campaign against current Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.
Mr. Kenniff has been recognized in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Lawyer’s in America edition, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Arrive Magazine as one of the nation’s leading criminal lawyers. He is the recipient of numerous military awards and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Mr. Kenniff continues to serve as a Major in the New York Arny National Guard. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters, writing fiction and competing in ice hockey. He sits on the board of Operation Heal Our Heroes, a charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness of PTSD and veteran suicide. He is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, the University of Rochester, and the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School at the University of Virginia.
