“Justice doesn’t just happen. Get with me, and let’s go get it!”
Michael Kiel Kaiser, Little Rock Attorney
“A man of his word, caring, compassionate, and ruthless all at the same time.”
– Brent, former client
“Jesus and Michael Kaiser saved me!!!”
– Former client
The Jewish Bulldog™
Mike believes the key to a successful representation is to identify a client’s goals early, and then constantly seek innovative ways to achieve those goals. Mike employs an aggressive pre-trial motions practice to achieve the best results for his clients. Mike believes in being blunt. He does not tell clients what they want to hear, but instead what they NEED to hear, the raw and uncut only. He believes in keeping client informed of the nature and progress of their case, and in working with them closely throughout the process.
After working as a public defender in courts throughout Pulaski and Perry Counties in 2015-16, Mike understands the potentially life-altering consequences a single traffic ticket or seemingly minor charge can have on a person’s life, let alone a felony. He works hard to ensure that collateral consequences of any arrest or conviction are minimal, thinking about how today’s actions may affect the client years down the line. He approaches each case with the same passion and gusto, whether the client faces a fine, a loss of some privilege, or life behind bars. Mike’s passion extends beyond his work. He has spoken to residents at Our House about how to get the most out of their appointed counsel, volunteered at several local Homeless Court events and sealing clinics, and takes on multiple pro bono and reduced-fee cases annually. He has also taught continuing-education courses to attorneys around Arkansas on a variety of topics, and has testified multiple times before the Arkansas General Assembly regarding criminal laws. Mike Kaiser has represented thousands of Arkansans accused of crimes, focusing primarily on violent crimes; drug crimes, DWI; juvenile delinquency; and criminal appeals. Mike has orally argued appeals before the Arkansas Court of Appeals, Arkansas Supreme Court, and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mike is a proud graduate of THE Little Rock Central High School, an avid disc golfer and cyclist, and an active volunteer with the local Jewish Food Fest. He is a second-generation lawyer, and proudly states that he “gets it from his mama.”
EDUCATION
University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, AR
Juris Doctor, cum laude, May 2014
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, May 2011 Minors in Anthropology and Sociology
Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock, AR
Class of 2007
Publications
Extraordinary Awakenings by Steve Taylor (Michael and his client Edward Little are featured)
Blueford v. Arkansas: Why the Supreme Court’s Construction of the Arkansas Transitional Instruction is Not Binding on Arkansas Courts, 66 Ark. L. Rev. 1083 (2013).
Wrongful Convictions: If Mandatory Recording is the Antidote, Are the Side Effects Really Worth It?, 67 Ark. L. Rev. 167 (2014).
Taff v. State: The Logical Albeit Delayed Conclusion to the Legislature’s 2013 Amendments to Arkansas’s Carrying-a-Weapon Statute, Ark. L. Notes (2020).
CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Dassault Falcon Jet
CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Jewish Federation of Arkansas (JFAR)
Membership
Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board Member, 2019-present
Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Practice Committee, 2020-present
Public Service
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interview Program interviewer, 2013-present
Arkansas Bar Association High School Mock Trial, volunteer judge
Arkansas Bar Association Public Service Academy, Class of 2021-2022
DecARcerate 2023 Legislative Committe
Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Practice, 2020-present
Advancing Pretrial Policy & Research (APPR) Pulaski County, Arkansas Policy Team, 2022-present
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interview Program interviewer, 2013-present
Arkansas Bar Association High School Mock Trial, volunteer judge
Arkansas Bar Association Public Service Academy, Class of 2021-2022
DecARcerate 2023 Legislative Committee
Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Practice, 2020-present
Advancing Pretrial Policy & Research (APPR) Pulaski County, Arkansas Policy Team, 2022-present
Listen to Michael on The Scales of Justice Podcast in the episode
“Life Without: The Untold Story of Heath Stocks”.
Check out Michael on the It Could Happen Here Podcast in the episode “The Case of Heath Stocks.”
Check out Michael Sharing War Stories on The Yarn Podcast
“Barred II was held May 16th, 2019, and closed out the 2018-19 season for the Yarn. We are reunited with decARcerate to produce a second show on true stories of incarceration. Last year, this show was a moving and powerful experience and this year didn’t disappoint.”
“Jesus and Michael Kaiser saved me!!!” – Former client
Press
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, September 25, 2024
KARK.com, September 24, 2024
Inmate who was beaten in back of patrol car in Arkansas has filed federal lawsuit
Washington Post, September 24, 2024
Inmate Who Was Beaten in Back of Patrol Car in Arkansas Has Filed Federal Lawsuit
U.S. News & World Report, September 24, 2023
Little Rock police vehicle arson cases end with federal sentencing of four defendants
Arkansas Times, December 12, 2023
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 7, 3023
Little Rock man sentenced to 7 years for being a felon in possession of a gun
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, September 9, 3023
Little Rock attorney in FOIA lawsuit given more time to determine if list of tainted cops exists
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, August 31, 3023
Jefferson County inmate sues sheriff, jail officials over injuries
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, August 29, 3023
Appeals court sides with Little Rock protest firebombing defendant on three dropped charges
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 11, 3023
Crittenden County man whose murder conviction was vacated ordered held on drug charges
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, June 15, 3023
Former EPD officer sentenced to four years probation
El Dorado News-Times, March 23, 3023
State Supreme Court frees Marion man found guilty in police officer’s shooting death
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, March 18, 2023
Ark. Supreme Court overturns conviction for man in 2018 murder of Forrest City police officer
Action News 5, March 16, 2023
ABC 24, March 16, 2023
After having some charges thrown out by federal magistrate, Little Rock man indicted again
The Courier, February 17, 2023
Man sues state over cash-only bonds
The Courier, February 8, 2023
U.S. appeals court sides with parolee after search of girlfriend’s Little Rock home
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, January 9, 2023
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 3, 2022
North Little Rock man charged in firebombings following Floyd protests asks for pretrial release
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, November 9, 2022
How to Crush a Movement for Racial Justice
The Nation, October 29, 2022
Federal gun prosecutions in Little Rock designed to take most violent offenders off the street
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, September 6, 2022
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 8, 2022
North Little Rock man accused of firebombing police cars challenges authority of federal charges
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, May 17, 2022
Conviction vacated for man who helped block traffic in 2020 Little Rock racial-justice protest
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, March 24, 2022
Former EPD officer sentenced to four years probation
El Dorado News-Times, March 23, 2022
Little Rock man to remain jailed on federal charges despite order to toss evidence
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, January 7, 2022
Judge reduces bond for Mingues
The Batesville Daily Guard, June 11, 2021
Judge to rule on Mingues’ bond
The Batesville Daily Guard, June 2, 2021
Toss evidence, drug case lawyers say
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, April 30, 2021
Man obstructed traffic at protest, judge concludes
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, April 3, 2021
Proposal may move Arkansas toward decriminalization of marijuana
The Magnolia Reporter, March 13, 2021
Medical marijuana thrives but possession arrests continue by the thousands
Arkansas Times, March 11, 2021
38-year inmate’s bid for parole is on hold
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, February 13, 2021
Electronic monitoring ordered for North Little Rock man
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, February 11, 2021
Firmer footing sought for ‘stand ground’ bill
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, February 7, 2021
Heath Stocks applies for reduced sentence, cites sexual abuse by former Boy Scout leader
KATV-ABC 7, February 4, 2021
Unlikely coalition defeats Arkansas stand your ground bill (for now)
Arkansas Times, February 2, 2021
Inmate seeks relief before he dies; he has served nearly 38 years for robberies as juvenile
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 26, 2020
Lawyer irked by deletion of Little Rock police footage
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 1, 2020
Suspect in fire, defaced property let out of lockup
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, September 19, 2020
Arkansas attorneys represent arrested protesters pro-bono
KATV-ABC 7, June 18, 2020
Pair challenge probation use in DWI cases
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, May 27, 2020
Garland County failure-to-pay warrants put people at risk of arrest, advocates say
Arkansas Times, April 29, 2020
Texarkana Gazette, August 6, 2019
Arkansas woman whose murder conviction was reversed by state Supreme Court pleads guilty
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, August 2, 2019
Teen killer of Little Rock officer in 1980 now parole-eligible
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, October 5, 2018
Arkansas’ high court rejects death row appeal
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, May 18, 2018
Retrial ordered for Arkansas man convicted of killing cousin on front porch
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 14, 2017
We Are
Lassiter & cassinelli
A good criminal defense attorney delivers a compelling, experienced argument with a competitive drive to win. At Lassiter & Cassinelli, our clients get just that.
1218 West Sixth Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Tel: (501) 370-9300
Fax: (501) 370-9306
Email: info@lasscass.com
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