NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Life Member Directory
Life members are attorneys who have made an extraordinary commitment to support the work of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. By supporting NACDL at the highest dues level, they are accorded a lifetime membership as long as they continue to meet the standards for NACDL membership. In addition, they are listed in this special expanded life member directory, including bio and photograph, and receive a special award in recognition of their support for NACDL’s work.
Super Lawyer (2015, 2016)Past President, Minnesota Society of Criminal Justice (President 2015-16)(VP 2010-11)Section Council, Criminal Law Section Of MN State Bar Assoc. (Vice-Chair, 2016-17) (Treasurer 2015-16) (Secretary 2014-15)Minn. Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) (member, Legislative Cmte)Life Member, Natl. Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Education
Undergraduate: Carleton College, BA, 1990
Law School: American University Law School, JD, 1997
Editor, Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers (ABA, 2018); Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers (ABA, 2020); ABA Criminal Justice Section Council; Editorial Board, ABA Criminal Justice Section Magazine; past board member, NACDL; past co-Chair, The Arc's National Center for Criminal Justice and Disabilities Advisory Panel; Cybercrime and the Autism Spectrum (Routledge, 2026). Â
Former Military Judge, USMCFormer Asst. US AttorneyPresident, Okinowa Bench and Bar Assn. (1977)President, Auburn Univ. Bar Assn. (1995)President, National Military Justice GroupAuthor: "Impeachment An Overview," The Army LawyerAuthor, "A Commander's Guide to Bad Checks," The Marine Corps GazetteAuthor, "Civilian Attorneys and the Defense of US Service Members," The Colorado LawyerAuthor, "Abu Grahb, Tragedy on Trial," The Ohio Lawyer
Education
Undergraduate: Auburn University, BS, 1969
Law School: Cumberland School of Law , JD, 1981
Bar Information
11th Cir. Ct. App., US Ct. App. for the Armed Forces
First Chair, Capital Counsel for Death Penalty CasesRecipient, Denison Ray Criminal Defender Award for Representation of the Indigent in 1998, NY Bar Assn.Recipient, Charles F. Crimi Memorial Award as Outstanding Practicioner in NY, NY Bar Assn. (2000)Recipient, Hon. Thurgood Marshall Award for Oustanding Practitioner in NY, NYSACDL (2002)Past President, NYSACDLLife Member, NYSACDLBoard Member, New York State Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersInstructor, New York State Defenders Ins
Former US Dist. Judge, N. Dist. of Texas (1992-2002) Former Commissioner, US Sentencing Comm., Washington, DC (1999-2002)Former TX State Dist. Judge, State of Texas, (1987-1992)Board Certification in Criminal Law (1985)Author, Numerous published opinions in state and federal reporters
Kathy Keneally is a partner of DLA Piper LLP (US) and Chair of Civil and Criminal Tax Litigation in the firm’s global tax group. Before joining Piper, Kathy served as the nation’s top tax prosecutor as Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Justice Department’s Tax Division. She also has 30+ years’ experience representing large corporations, financial institutions, closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals in civil and criminal tax matters and white collar criminal defense.
Education
Undergraduate: Cornell University, , 1979
Graduate: NYU School of Law, LLM (Taxation), , 1993
Law School: Fordham University School of Law, , 1982
During a career marked with high-profile successes, Jeff has handled several thousand criminal cases, including over 100 jury trials, in both state and federal courts, and a number of homicide cases. He also has had the privilege of being one of a select group of lawyers to have argued before the California Supreme Court. Jeff has been granted the honor of being a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He is one of approximately 25 in Orange County and 350 in the entire State of California to hold such certification!
As testimony to the quality of his preparation and conduct of complex cases, Jeff's clients have included judges, politicians, private attorneys, public defenders, and law enforcement officers. He is also listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell with an AV rating (the highest given), Avvo.com with a 10.0 rating, and has been listed for numerous years in the Super Lawyers publication by Los Angeles Magazine.
Jeff is a member on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and a co-founder of the North Orange County Bar Association. He has been admitted the California State Bar (#162237), the United States District Courts of the Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of California, the United States Court of Appeal for the 9th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Jeff has also represented clients in Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington in their respective State or Federal District Courts.
A native of Southern California, Jeff is married and has both a son and a daughter.
Education
Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine, BS, 1989
Law School: Western State University, College of Law, JD, 1992
Publisher, "The Express Gay News"Talk Show Host, The Norm Kent Show, WFTL, 1400 AMBoard of Directors, NORML1st Amend. Lawyers Assn.Author, "The Marijuana, Medical Necessity Defense for Patients," The Champion, (1999)Recipient, ACLU Civil Liberties Award (1999)
John Kerns has more than two decades of experience providing criminal defense representation for individuals charged with violent, drug, property, and white-collar crimes throughout the State of Kansas. John has utilized and developed thorough and effective investigation, discovery review, pre-hearing and trial preparation and presentation skills, along with extensive and effective negotiation and client communication proficiency. Also, John is a Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel attorney representing indigent clients charged with Federal crimes in Federal Court in Kansas. The Criminal Justice Act Panel is a group of qualified attorneys, selected by a committee of judges and experienced attorneys to represent individuals in criminal cases who are financially unable to retain counsel. John has participated in countless state level jury trials and has represented the accused as lead counsel in approximately 28 Federal criminal cases. These federal cases cover a wide gamut and include cases such as tax fraud and drug distribution conspiracy as examples.Â
Trial Attorney, Federal Defenders of San Diego, 1998-2002Class Action Attorney, Milberg, Weiss, Bershad & Lerach, LLP, 2002-2004Private Practice (Federal and State Criminal Defense, Complex Civil Litigation, Consumer Class Actions), 2004-PresentKhojayan, Taking an Effective Deposition in a Criminal Case, THE CHAMPION, Sept. 2011
Education
Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine, B.A. Criminology, 1994
Law School: University of the Pacific, McGeorge Law, J.D. with Honors, 1998
Bar Information
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Southern, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California
Mr. Phillip Darrell Kimbrell is an attorney based in Atlanta, GA, with over 35 years of experience in criminal and traffic law. His practice covers a wide range of legal areas, including criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, white-collar crime, driver's license restoration, and liquor license laws. Licensed to practice in all courts across Georgia, Darrell is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. While serving clients throughout the state, particularly in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, he is committed to providing a robust defense to those facing criminal charges by working to anticipate challenges, build smart legal strategies, and fight relentlessly for the best possible outcome in every case. Darrell aims to offer clarity and confidence to his clients to achieve the best possible outcomes with a steady, experienced defense a client can trust. Outside the courtroom, he is an avid baseball fan and enjoys the company of his three Siberian Huskies.
Education
Undergraduate: Wofford College, BA, 1986
Law School: Mercer University, JD, 1989
Bar Information
US Supreme Court, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th Cirs., US Mid. Dist. Ct. of GA, N. Dist. Ct. of GA
Mediator,Member, White Collar Crime Committee, American Bar Assn.Founding Officer, Director, Illinois Assn. of Criminal Justice, now, (Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)Former Chairman, ABA Defense Function Comm., Solo and Small Firm and Law Practice Management committees.
Education
Undergraduate: Northwestern University, BA, 1970
Law School: DePaul University School of Law, JD, 1973
