15 www.loubar.org May 2026 Building trust with clients who did not choose their own attorney requires deliberate effort. Brammell described his approach: “I explain the role of the CJA, assure them they’ll receive the same level of attention and care, and then actu- ally deliver on that. Keeping clients regularly updated on the progress of the case goes a long way towards ensuring a healthy attorney-client relationship.” The importance of that commitment was illustrated by one case Brammell recalled in particular. A client had been in- dicted for armed robbery and faced a substantial sentence. “Through diligent review of the evidence and the record, we were able to demonstrate and convince the government that not only did they not have a case, but they may have had the wrong person entirely,” he said. “They ended up dismissing the case.” Without appointed counsel willing to dig into the details and put in the hard work, the outcome could have been profoundly different. The Challenges of the Work The work is not without its difficulties. “Maintaining regular communication with incarcerated clients can be challeng- ing,” Brammell acknowledged, “but local jails have become more accommodating recently.” A more persistent challenge involves managing client expectations around sentencing. “The difference between the state and federal system can be particularly jarring for clients who may have been involved in the state system but not the federal system before,” he explained. “Managing those sentencing expectations can be difficult sometimes.” On the subject of compensation, Brammell noted that CJA rates are set at the national level and adjusted on a semi- regular basis. “There has been a major push recently by the ABA and practitioners across the country to raise the rates,” he said, “but at the end of the day this is a public service first and foremost.” When panel attorneys need additional re- sources such as investigators, expert witnesses or mitigation specialists, they can petition the court for authorization and funding, a process Brammell described as straightforward and routine. Training, Mentorship and Professional Growth The Western District invests in the development of its panel attorneys. There are semi-annual training sessions and panel members are invited to participate in trainings offered by the Eastern District as well. Panel attorneys can also attend national trainings and conferences at discounted rates, as well as enjoy discounted membership rates to national criminal defense attorney organizations. Perhaps most notably, the CJA Mentorship Program has been a welcome development. Brammell described the program as a pipeline for developing the next generation of panel members. “The Mentorship Program lets less experienced attorneys work cases with experienced panel members, with the goal and expectation that they’ll then be eligible to become full panel members themselves.” He added that the collegial culture extends beyond the formal program: “Panel members are always willing to provide help and insight on cases.” Serving on the panel has also shaped Brammell’s broader perspective as a lawyer. “Exposure to different people from different backgrounds who have been failed by the system and social safety nets has given me new insights and per- spectives into my work as both a criminal and civil attorney,” he reflected. That experience has also given new meaning to his work on the Board of the Home of the Innocents, reinforcing the connection between courtroom advocacy and the wider community. A Call to the Bar For attorneys considering the CJA panel, Brammell’s mes- sage was direct: “You don’t need extensive federal criminal experience to get involved. There is support available to assist people who want to be involved and make a difference. We always need more qualified attorneys. The right attitude is more important.” Asked whether the panel offers a good opportunity for younger lawyers in particular, Brammell broadened the point. “There’s no better way for any lawyer, not just young lawyers, to get experience in federal court.” If there is one thing Brammell would change about the CJA program, it would be the level of public awareness sur- rounding the enterprise. “Public criminal defense needs to be properly and consistently funded in order to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice system for all people,” he said. For lawyers prepared to serve that mission, the CJA Panel remains the place to begin. _________________ For more information about the CJA program, the Men- torship Program or panel eligibility requirements, visit www.kywd.uscourts.gov/cja, contact the CJA Panel Com- mittee at [email protected] or reach out to any panel member (including Bill Brammell, [email protected]). Bill Brammell defends individuals and entities who have been accused of violating the law, public servants who have been sued while doing their job and businesses who need his help. Beyond that, Bill has ex- perience litigating an array of other matters — from personal injury and whistleblower lawsuits, to voting rights and campaign finance challenges. Evan Nixon represents individuals, public officials and businesses in a wide range of legal matters, with focuses on constitutional challenges and federal criminal defense. His practice also spans voting rights, commercial litigation and administrative appeals. n KLRS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO THE SERVICE. KENTUCKY LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE In the first quarter of 2026, KLRS has been forced to turn away more than 400 call- ers because we had too few attorneys available on certain panels to accept their cases. Don’t miss another potential client – help us make sure everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their claims! PANELS MOST NEEDED: Auto Consumer Law/Lemon Law Guardianship/Conservatorship Don’t Miss Another Client! Join the Kentucky Lawyer Referral Service Today Edward (Ted) Bartenstein, Bartenstein Law Panels: Real Estate, Wills and Estates Joshua Bolus, Bradford Law PLLC Panels: Appellate, Wills and Estates Michael Ryan, Ryan Injury Law LLC Panels: State Workers’ Compensation Louis Senn, Rupp & Senn, PLLC Panels: Domestic, Tort Law, Real Estate Law Brenton Stanley, Stanley Law PLLC Panels: Tort Law, Product Liability (Continued from previous page)
