Federal Defense Attorneys
Western District

Karren Kenney is a federal criminal defense attorney, Certified Fraud Examiner, and founder of Kenney Legal Defense. With more than 30 years of courtroom experience and over 100 jury trials, she represents individuals, professionals, business owners, and corporate clients facing federal investigations and criminal charges throughout California and across the United States. Karren’s federal practice includes complex fraud, health care and hospice fraud, wire and mail fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, public corruption, immigration offenses, firearms cases, government benefit fraud, drug trafficking, and other serious federal crimes. She also represents clients during federal investigations, grand jury investigations, search warrants, pre-indictment negotiations, detention and bond proceedings, plea negotiations, trials, and sentencing. As both an experienced trial lawyer and a Certified Fraud Examiner, Karren is particularly skilled at analyzing financial records, identifying weaknesses in government investigations, and translating complicated evidence into a clear and persuasive defense. She understands that a federal case cannot be defended effectively by focusing only on the indictment. The government’s evidence, investigative methods, witnesses, financial records, and theory of intent must all be tested carefully. Karren believes preparation begins long before trial or sentencing. She works closely with clients to understand their history, family, career, medical circumstances, and the events that led to the case. When sentencing becomes necessary, she develops mitigation as an integral part of the defense strategy, not as a last-minute collection of character letters. Her goal is to present the client as a complete human being while giving the court credible reasons for the most favorable sentence permitted by law. Communication is also central to Karren’s practice. Federal cases can be frightening and overwhelming, particularly for clients and families encountering the criminal justice system for the first time. She makes it a priority to explain what is happening, what the government must prove, and what decisions lie ahead so that clients can participate meaningfully in their own defense. Karren is also the creator and host of the Legal Vixen™ podcast, where she draws on decades of courtroom experience to discuss criminal cases, trial strategy, constitutional rights, and the realities of the justice system. Through candid conversations with attorneys, judges, courtroom professionals, and other guests, she helps listeners understand how the legal system operates beyond the headlines. Karren is licensed to practice law in California, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Her principal office is in Orange County, California, with satellite offices in San Diego and Houston. She represents clients in federal courts throughout California and nationwide.

Franklyn Ray Mickelsen, known professionally as Mick Mickelsen, is a partner at Broden & Mickelsen in Dallas, Texas. His practice focuses on complex federal and Texas criminal cases, criminal appeals, and post-conviction litigation. His experience includes defending charges ranging from DWI to murder and handling capital cases at both trial and appellate levels. Mickelsen has obtained reversals of death sentences in post-conviction proceedings and new trials in murder and sexual assault cases. He also argued a case before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that established precedent concerning the insanity defense. He is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law. His professional recognition includes Texas Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and D Magazine’s Best Lawyer list.