Melissa’s love affair with law started young. And not just any field, she had a favorite – complex, dangerous, gritty Criminal Law! Attorney Chester’s tales would have scared most kids. Melissa felt inspired and empowered. She imagined fighting for innocent clients – she loved the idea of it, the thrill of it… But, first she had to graduate from her high school…

In 10th grade I thought about girls and movies – Melissa thought about “DNA Defenses.” Few teens are so clear about their career choice. Even as adults most of us are still unsure. “Why can’t I change my job title to Rock God?” So, Melissa was unique in her clarity – and her destiny walked right through her front door… Ira Chester grew up with Melissa’s mother. Meaning he’s known Melissa her entire life. And in her home, over dinner, his stories of criminal law came alive.

Ira’s legendary cases have graduated to near folklore.

We fast-forward to Melissa’s graduations. High school, undergraduate degree, law school… She’s working at a top law firm in New York City. After that she worked in the Brooklyn DA’s office… Osmosis is happening, fashion takes root. Melissa’s originality develops: the tough New York Lawyer and Diva Stylist.

A mix of Carrie Bradshaw “… And Justice For All.”

Criminal Defense in New York is boot camp. We’ve all seen “Big Apple” characters in movies: just imagine representing them in court. Melissa learned to interact with everyone. Brooklyn, Harlem, the Bronx, Melissa knew you – and yet, equally at home in Central Park West… A true cosmopolitan chameleon. Able to discuss Biggie Smalls, Santana, Miles – and can tell you Dvorák’s best string quartet… Melissa became a woman for all seasons…

Back in L.A. Ira continued his work. Building on his decades-long commitment to law… Most people in L.A. view Ira as a sort of tough, moral Harper Lee creation. A lawyer of substance. A throwback to a time when local lawyers knew everybody in town. And your reputation determined whether you stayed in business… But more than that, you cared about your neighbors. These were people you knew growing up. If the police arrested “James Hopper” for arson – to you, that was still “little Jimmy.” A kid you knew was innocent.

Los Angeles is too big for Ira to know everybody. So, he goes by his instincts. Are you a decent, respectable person who made a mistake? Or are your actions the tip of a criminal iceberg? Ira will know after his first meeting with you… You think you’re having a relaxed talk with a charming lawyer – what’s really going on is a litmus test of sorts. Ira is determining whether you’re lying to him. He can’t defend you if you’re not honest with him… But, if you come in his office showing all your cards – the good, the bad and the ugly, as Clint would say… Well, let’s just say “little Jimmy” will be alright…

Ira’s legendary cases have graduated to near folklore. Almost unbelievable scenarios. Situations where “guilt” seems beyond logical. You stabbed your best friend in the neck. Your fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. In the victim’s dying breath, he blames you for stabbing him. You were found covered (dripping!) in the victim’s blood! With all that evidence how could you get a break? The prosecutor’s convinced it’s a slam dunk – they’re already planning their after-party.

Without revealing the names, that was a real case; Ira and Melissa’s client was facing life for murder – they got him 36 months for manslaughter… Ira says there’s a story behind everything. Things are rarely as they appear on the surface. They see their job as getting to the truth. Regardless of how crazy it looks going in. It’s about seeing past sensation and looking for substance... But it all starts with honesty, and your trust… Those are the ground rules for this lawyer from the trenches of LA’s criminal justice system and his dynamic partner.

No surprise, Ira majored in philosophy. The Nicomachean Ethics his work of choice… In this setting his bond with Melissa makes sense. His older Aristotle to her young Plato…

Ira was thinking about retiring when Melissa came back to Los Angeles. Ira and her talked about possibilities. He marveled at how far his protégé had come. Fierce articulation, confidence and style – she walked in court as if dressed by Patricia Field!

But it was her voracious research skills he loved… Endlessly, tirelessly sifting through case files. Looking for the best precedent to help their trial… And she was tech-savvy, a great yin for his yang. In other words, they were old school and new school. A formidable legal team by all standards…And they haven’t gone unnoticed by Hollywood…

Jerry Shevick of Shevick*Zupon Entertainment is currently creating a Reality Show about the duo. Some of the focus on the show will be about their philanthropic work. Ira created a documentary about D.U.I.’s inspired by his desire to save lives through education and information. Ira and Melissa are trying to get the DVD distributed to local schools. And both Ira and Melissa are working on a project for the homeless.

The idea is that many people with legal problems can’t find work because they’re afraid of being arrested. So, they end up on the street… Melissa and Ira want to set up his RV at a downtown homeless shelter to work out of. Homeless men and women will be able to visit them and explain their situations. One by one, their issues will be reviewed. And, if possible, their cases rectified – because resolving their warrants and legal issues is the first step in getting them off the streets and productive… Noble actions by a couple of noble lawyers…

Meeting Ira and Melissa proved many things… First, fictional lawyers are sometimes real people. Ira Chester is Atticus Finch manifest… There are still heroes out here, walking among us…

As for Melissa, she’s clearly changed the game… Lawyers can be smart, sexy and cool, but still tough… In court her dazzling smile hides a knockout punch. So, watch out all you prosecutors in waiting – don’t be so quick to assume anyone’s guilt. You might want to work out a deal with these two…

And for the falsely accused and first offenders – and good people who made really bad choices… I’d Google Melissa and Ira today! …And if that’s not fast enough, try their website.

(213) 384 - 8326    CRIMINAL DEFENSE CHESTER & LEWKOWICZ