NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Andy Birrell is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers—an honor limited to the top 1% of lawyers in the State. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is the former Chairperson of the Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Law Certification Board and was the first lawyer in Minnesota to be certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Andy is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a past President of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Lawyers. In addition to being selected a perennial Super Lawyer, he has four times been named one of Minnesota's Top 100 Super Lawyers most recently in 2022. Andy is the second Vice President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also is the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Defense.

 Andy represents clients in all phases of criminal law and related matters from grand jury investigations through appeals in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He represents clients in matters implicating the most significant and difficult white collar criminal law matters, including those involving: RICO, money laundering, conspiracy, tax charges, mail and wire fraud, bank fraud and other related allegations.

 Andy is an accomplished and seasoned appellate lawyer. He has argued before the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., has successfully argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit and has won reversals of convictions and orders for new trials in the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

Professional Recognition

• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers
• Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist - Minnesota State Bar Association
• Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
• "AV-Rated" by Martindale-Hubbell®
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Memberships

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)
• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Past President)

Court Admissions

• Minnesota
• United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
• United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

Education

• J.D., Antioch School of Law
• B.S., University of Pittsburgh

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