www.loubar.org 14 Louisville Bar Briefs A Conversation with CJA Panel Attorney Bill Brammell Interviewed by Evan Nixon The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees every person accused of a crime the right to counsel. In federal court, the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) translates that guar- antee into practice, establishing a system for appointing and compensating attorneys who represent defendants un- able to afford a lawyer. In the Western District of Kentucky, that roster of private attorneys serves as a critical complement to the Federal Public Defender’s Office, stepping in when the FPD has a conflict, when multiple co-defen- dants require separate counsel or when the volume of cases exceeds what the office can absorb. Bill Brammell has served on the CJA Panel for close to seven years. Brammell cur- rently serves as the CJA Panel Representa- tive for the Wester n District of Kentucky. His path t o t h e CJA Pan- el began during his clerkship with Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, where he watched seasoned panel attorneys navigate the complexities of federal criminal practice. Through his ob- servations, Brammell came to believe that the CJA Panel is not only one of the most essential forms of public service, but also invaluable practical experience for any attorney. I sat down with Mr. Brammell to discuss the program, the work and why he believes more attorneys should consider joining the panel. The Path to the Panel When asked what first drew him to CJA work, Brammell pointed to his clerkship experience. “I saw lots of criminal cases and panel attorneys during my clerkship,” he said, “and I was inspired by the dedication to public service and the quality of the lawyers on the panel.” Beyond the call of public service, Brammell identified a practical incentive that any litigator would recognize: “There is no better way to regularly practice in federal court than by being on the CJA Panel.” The Western District assigns CJA attorneys in each of its four divisions: Louisville, Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah. Attorneys are typically appointed to cases within the division where they reside and practice. The panel ac- cepts applications each March and is always looking for more qualified candidates. The Work Cases are randomly assigned by the clerk’s office, and ap- pointed counsel is usually in place shortly before the initial appearance. “Not only is competent representation critical at every stage of the criminal process, but you also need to begin building that relationship with the client on day one,” Brammell noted. Once appointed, the work is the same as any other criminal defense case: reviewing discovery, evaluating defenses and building theories of the case. The types of cases that come through CJA appointments span the full breadth of the federal criminal docket. “You see the full gamut,” Brammell said. “A lot of drug cases, but usually with the added wrinkles of firearms or immigration complications. We’ve seen an uptick in immigration-related cases recently.” He observed that the composition of the docket tends to shift with the priorities of the United States Attorney’s Office. “If they’re going after more street-level of- fenses, there are typically more appointments. If the emphasis shifts to white-collar cases, there are typically fewer.” Typically, a panel member should expect between four and six cases per year Brammell noted. No Second-Class Representation When asked how CJA work compares to retained criminal defense representation, Brammell’s answer was unequivocal: “There is no difference, and there shouldn’t be. All cases and defendants are entitled to competent and professional representation, regardless of their ability to pay.” N E W L A W Y E R A C A D E M Y N E W L A W Y E R A C A D E M Y 2nd Class | Applications Open May 4 Practice-ready. Starting now. Applications Open Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 29, 2026. Space is limited. The Louisville Bar Association's New Lawyer Academy is a six-month, cohort-based program for LBA members in their first through third year of practice. It picks up where legal education leaves off, building on the foundation law school provides and adding the practical and personal skills that shape a successful, sustainable legal career. By bridging the gap between law school and legal practice, the Academy sets new attorneys on the path to long-term career success. Questions: [email protected] Apply at www.loubar.org PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE (Continued on next page)
