Charles Atwell has been practicing law since 1977. The majority of his time has been spent in matters touching upon the criminal justice system. His service has included being an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County, Missouri, Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Missouri. He was in the private practice for a period of over 17 years where he specialized in criminal defense work. Mr. Atwell’s representation of individuals and corporations includes trial work, appellant work, post-conviction work and representation of individuals and companies in a variety of administrative context and investigations. His courtroom exposure ranges from small towns in the state of Missouri to representing white collar defendants throughout the United States. His criminal clients include elected officials, corporate executives and lawyers as well as murder defendants, drug dealer and residents of Missouri on death row. Mr. Atwell has also had experience as a Judge and mediator in a variety of complex civil matters. He has been active in NACDL since 1985. In the early 1990’s, he has served as a co-chair of the CLE committee. He has done tours of duty twice on the nominating committee and also the amicus committee. In 1994 he successfully represented Richard Sindell a St. Louis lawyer in his efforts to resist an IRS summons as part of the 8300 task force of NACDL.
In 1996 Mr. Atwell was appointed circuit judge for Jackson County, Missouri. He served in that role for 16-1/2 years. During that time he was a special judge on multiple cases in the Court of Appeals and in the Supreme Court. In 2007 he was votes by the lawyers of the state of Missouri at the Best Circuit Judge in the state.
For the last two year Mr. Atwell has been of counsel to the Foland Wickens Eisfelder Roper & Hofer, P.C. where he specializes in ADR and masters work as well has having an active federal defense practice.
