RENO, Nev. – Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP, a full-service law firm based in Reno, Nevada, today announced the strategic hiring of veteran criminal defense attorney Jesse Kalter as a new partner at the firm. The addition of Kalter, who brings two decades of litigation experience and a significant solo practice background, marks a substantial expansion of the firm’s capacity to handle complex criminal defense matters throughout Northern Nevada.
Kalter will be joining an established legal team that serves clients across Northern Nevada, including the primary markets of Reno and Sparks, as well as Lyon, Storey, Carson City, Douglas, Churchill, Pershing, and Humboldt counties.
Strengthening Legal Defense in Northern Nevada
The recruitment of Kalter represents a calculated move by Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP to fortify its criminal defense department. Kalter, who founded and operated Jesse Kalter Law, has established a tenure in the region defined by trial advocacy in both misdemeanor and felony cases since 2006. His practice focused on a wide spectrum of criminal charges, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), domestic battery, drug offenses, sexual assault, fraud, and other serious allegations. Kalter is also well known for trademarking the phrase “What’s Your Freedom Worth?”
By bringing Kalter’s practice under the Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP umbrella, the firm aims to provide a long lasting robust defense team for the region. The firm, known for its work in Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Family Law, Estate Planning and Commercial Litigation, acknowledges the growing demand for experienced criminal defense counsel as the population of Northern Nevada continues to expand. Kalter joins Tom Viloria in the firm’s Criminal Defense department to create the strongest criminal defense team in Northern Nevada.
Attorney Profile: Jesse Kalter
Attorney Jesse Kalter’s path to the legal profession and his subsequent arrival at Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP are characterized by a non-traditional trajectory that informs his practice today.
Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Kalter’s early life was defined by competitive athletics. It’s this background he credits with developing the discipline required for serious courtroom litigation. Following his undergraduate studies on the east coast, Kalter relocated to Reno, Nevada, in 2001.
Upon his arrival in the Silver State, Kalter entered the workforce in the casino service industry, specifically selling uniforms to casino personnel. This period provided him with an immersion into the local economy and culture of Reno. According to Kalter, this exposure to the diverse workforce of Nevada—ranging from service workers to executives—highlighted a disparity in access to aggressive legal representation for criminal defendants.
Identifying this need within the market, Kalter departed the sales industry to pursue a Juris Doctor on an academic scholarship. He returned to Reno immediately following law school to establish his practice. Since 2006, he has operated independently, building a case history that includes thousands of appearances in municipal, district, and justice courts across the state.
Kalter’s professional recognition includes selection to “The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers” for 10 years in a row, selection by the “Global Directory of Who’s Who” as a “Top Lawyer Lifetime Member,” and acknowledgment by Expertise.com regarding criminal defense and DUI representation in the local Reno area.
A Philosophy of Freedom First
Throughout his tenure as a solo practitioner, Kalter’s philosophy centered on the concept that legal defense is an investment in a client’s future, reputation, and freedom. Kalter founded his practice on the idea that everyone deserves a fair chance and an attorney who will fight for them.
Kalter’s approach to litigation is characterized by an aggressive stance on behalf of his clients. Throughout his practice, Kalter has secured countless “not guilty” verdicts and hundreds of dismissals. He attributes this to his willingness to challenge charges in the court of law, and his refusal to back down from tough cases.
Client Accessibility
A central tenet of Kalter’s practice has been a focus on client accessibility and direct attorney-client communication. In his previous solo practice, Kalter emphasized a model where every client interacted directly with him. This will continue to be his approach as a partner at Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman. Kalter prefers to utilize a defense strategy involving early intervention and comprehensive pre-trial investigation.
His methodology often includes:
- Detailed review of police reports, video, and all discovery materials
- Analysis of forensic evidence, particularly in DUI and drug-related cases
- Utilization of private investigators to corroborate witness statements
- Direct oversight of all courtroom proceedings
Kalter’s practice model has long emphasized his availability and the active involvement of his clients. Kalter acknowledges that complex legal issues involving felony charges or misdemeanors often require hard work outside of standard business hours.
Regional Focus: Serving the Rural Counties
While Reno and Sparks serve as the primary hub for the firm’s activities, Kalter’s addition bolsters the firm’s reach into Northern Nevada’s rural counties as well. While Kalter has practiced in Washoe County for years, he is very familiar with the geography and distinct legal environments of rural Nevada.
Legal proceedings in rural counties often differ in tone and procedure from those in metropolitan Washoe County. Kalter’s understanding of these local nuances—combined with his physical presence in these areas for recreational pursuits—will benefit clients facing charges in courts outside the immediate Reno/Sparks metropolitan area.
The firm accepts criminal defense inquiries for the following jurisdictions:
- Washoe County (Reno, Sparks, Incline Village)
- Carson City (Consolidated Municipality)
- Lyon County (Fernley, Yerington, Dayton, Silver Springs)
- Douglas County (Minden, Gardnerville, Stateline)
- Storey County (Virginia City)
- Churchill County (Fallon)
- Pershing County (Lovelock)
- Humboldt County (Winnemucca)
Practice Area Specifications
Kalter’s arrival helps bolster Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP's defense representation in the following specific areas.
DUI Defense
Nevada maintains strict laws regarding Driving Under the Influence. Kalter’s experience includes challenging the validity of traffic stops, administering Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs), and calibrating breathalyzer equipment. The firm handles both misdemeanor DUI offenses and felony DUI charges involving injury or prior convictions.
Domestic Battery and Violent Crimes
The firm represents individuals accused of domestic battery, assault, and other violent offenses. Defense strategies in these matters often involve scrutinizing the credibility of accusers, analyzing 911 call records, understanding Nevada’s self-defense laws, and establishing timelines that may contradict prosecution narratives.
Drug Offenses
Kalter defends cases ranging from simple possession to trafficking and distribution. This practice area requires a firm grasp of Fourth Amendment rights regarding search and seizure. The firm evaluates the legality of search warrants and police conduct during the discovery of controlled substances.
White Collar and Fraud Crimes
The expansion also covers financial crimes, embezzlement, and fraud. These cases typically require the analysis of complex financial documents and corporate records; a task supported by the resources of the full-service firm.
Integration With Firm Values
Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP has maintained a strong reputation in the Nevada legal community for the last 28 years by adhering to a standard of rigorous representation and ethical practice. The firm’s partners selected Kalter based on his strict alignment with these values.
The firm emphasizes that criminal charges carry collateral consequences beyond potential incarceration, including loss of employment, professional licensing issues, and reputational damage. The expanded criminal defense team aims to mitigate these long-term impacts through strategic decisions and defense.
About Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP
Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP is a Northern Nevada-based law firm providing legal representation in the areas of Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Business Law. The firm’s attorneys are distinguished by their AV Preeminent® ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and their consistent involvement in high-profile litigation within the state.
The firm combines the resources and capability of a large metropolitan firm with the personal attention and accessibility typically associated with smaller practices. Attorneys at the firm appear regularly in state and federal courts throughout Nevada.