In addition to its civil practice, Bensinger, Ritt, Tai & Thvedt has a very active, successful criminal practice. Led by former Assistant Federal Public Defender Kerry R. Bensinger, and former Assistant United States Attorney Joel A. Thvedt, the firm represents both individuals and businesses in the defense of criminal prosecution. Mr. Bensinger has litigated more than two dozen jury trials in federal and state court. His focus has been primarily on federal white-collar prosecution, including allegations of criminal tax and business fraud, arson, racketeering, bribery, extortion and drug-related claims. Mr. Thvedt has also tried numerous criminal cases. Since leaving the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Thvedt has represented individuals and companies investigated for, or charged with, securities fraud, bank fraud, criminal business practices including theft of trade secrets, and narcotics offenses. Mr. Thvedt has also conducted internal corporate investigations concerning suspected bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, embezzlement. Mr. Bensinger and Mr. Thvedt have appeared before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals more than a dozen times, and have obtained favorable results in nearly every instance.

Mr. Bensinger, along with Jay Ritt and other firm attorneys, actively represent indigent clients convicted of capital crimes in habeas corpus proceeding to prevent execution. As a result of the firm’s experience in representing death row inmates in habeas proceedings, Bensinger, Ritt, Tai & Thvedt have been invited to speak at many seminars on related issues.