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Michael J. Stengel

Memphis, Tennessee criminal defense lawyer

A native of Buffalo, New York, Michael J. Stengel graduated from the University of Rochester with his bachelor's degree in 1983 before heading south to Tennessee. He earned his law degree from the University of Memphis in 1986 and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar that same year. In 1994, Michael founded Stengel Law Firm in Memphis, where he combines his passion for criminal defense and tax law and fights to protect the rights of individuals accused of any crime, including tax-related crimes.

Michael is an AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review RatedSM attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®. This is a ranking reserved for lawyers whose peers observe them to have the highest level of legal knowledge, professional skill and integrity. In 2005, he was named Western District of Tennessee Outstanding CJA Panel Attorney. Michael has been selected as a Mid South Super Lawyer annually since 2008.

Practice areas

Bar admissions

  • Tennessee, 1986
  • U.S. Tax Court, 1987
  • U.S. Claims Court, 1990
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, 1991
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1995
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1996
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 2000

Education

  • J.D., Memphis State University, 1986
  • B.A., University of Rochester, 1983

Memberships

  • Memphis State Law Review, 1984 to 1986
  • Member, Moot Court Board
  • Delegate, 6th Circuit Judicial Conference, 2004
  • Member, 2004 Merit Review Panel, Federal Public Defender, Western District of Tennessee
  • Memphis Bar Association
    • Chairman, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 1998 to 1999
    • Chairman, Legal Fee Dispute Committee, 2000
    • Co-Chair, CLE Committee, 2001 to 2002
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Life Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • The Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court
    • Barrister, 1997 to 2000
    • Master, 2009 to present
  • Memphis Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • CJA Panel Representative, Western District of Tennessee, 2008 to present
  • Member, Standing Local Rules Committee, Western District of Tennessee (Chair, Criminal Local Rules Subcommittee), 2012-18

Honors and awards

  • Selected as one of the top 100 lawyers in Tennessee, Mid South Super Lawyer magazine 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
  • Mid South Super Lawyer, 2008 through 2017
  • Named Western District of Tennessee Outstanding CJA Panel Attorney, 2005

Reported cases

    • Parks v. Commissioner, 94 T.C. No. 38 (1990)
    • Graphic Systems v. Taylor, 791 S.W.2d 27 (1990)
    • United States v. John Berry, 807 F.Supp. 439 (W.D. Tenn. 1992)
    • United States v. Karen Berry, 807 F. Supp. 442 (W.D. Tenn. 1992)
    • Hannahs v. United States, 75 AFTR 2d 95-1150 (W.D. Tenn. 1995)
    • United States v. Flowers, 55 F. 3d 218 (6th Cir. 1995)
    • Walco Investments, Inc. v. Thenen, 168 F.R.D. 315 (S.D. Fla. 1996)
    • Walco Investments, Inc. v. Thenen, 947 F. Supp. 491 (S.D. Fla. 1996)
    • United States v. Fleming, 128 F. 3d 285 (6th Cir. 1997)
    • United States v. Robinson, 152 F.3d 507 (6th Cir. 1998)
    • United States v. Johnson, 152 F.3d 553 (6th 1998)
    • United States v. Curly, 167 F.3d 316 (6th Cir. 1999)
    • United States v. Elkins, 95 F. Supp. 2d 796 (W.D. Tenn. 2000)
    • United States v. Mask, 101 F. Supp. 2d 673 (W.D., Tenn. 2000)
    • United States v. Curtis, 237 F.3d 598 (6th Cir. 2001)
    • United States v. Bush, 252 F.3d 959 (8th Cir. 2001)
    • United States v. Mask, 154 F.Supp.2d 1344 (W.D. Tenn. 2001)
    • United States v. Saari, 272 F.3d 804 (6th Cir. 2001)
    • United States v. Elkins, 300 F.3d 638 (6th Cir. 2002)
    • United States v. Faison, 339 F.3d 518 (6th Cir. 2003)
    • Okerson v. Commissioner, 123 T.C. No. 14 (2004)
    • United States v. Miller, 434 F.3d 820 (6th Cir. 2006)
    • United States v. Tate, 516 F.3d 459 (6th Cir. 2008)
    • United States v. Brinley, 684 F.3d 629 (6th Cir. 2012)
    • United States v. Pritchett, 749 F.3d 417 (6th Cir. 2014)
    • United States v. Reid, 751 F.3d 763  (6th Cir. 2014)
    • United States v. Fields, 763 F.3d 443 (6th Cir. 2014)
    • United States v. Ataya, 869 F.3d 401 (6th Cir. 2017)
    • United States v. Ataya, 884 F.3d 318 (6th Cir. 2018)
    • Atkins v. Crowell, 945 F.3d 476 (6th Cir. 2019)

      Let the Stengel Law Firm fight for you

      If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or is ready to appeal a verdict, I stand ready to protect your rights. Contact me online or call my office at 901.527.3535 to schedule a free initial consultation. I look forward to speaking with you.