B. Keith Edwards – formerly an Assistant District Defender in Topeka’s Third Judicial District Public Defender’s Office – has joined the Criminal Division of Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC. Based in the firm’s Wichita office, Edwards represents individuals charged with criminal offenses in municipal and state courts.

“The attorneys in the firm are well respected as zealous and effective advocates by courts and prosecutors statewide, and I’m honored to join the criminal defense team here,” Edwards said.

“In his role at the Public Defender’s Office, Keith Edwards handled more than 300 felony cases from their initial charging to final resolution,” said Jess W. Hoeme, who leads the firm’s Criminal Division in Wichita. “The sheer volume of cases gave Keith deep experience as lead counsel dealing with violent offenses, drug offenses and property offenses, in particular. He’s served as co-counsel in high-level cases representing defendants against charges of murder, and high-volume drug trafficking. His experience will be a significant asset to our criminal defense clients around the state.”

Edwards received a bachelor’s degree in classical antiquity from the University of Kansas and earned his juris doctorate from Washburn University School of Law. He is a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College’s Trial Practice Institute at the Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia.

Edwards is a member of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Wichita Bar Association.

Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC has 15 attorneys and offices in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita. The firm’s primary practice areas include civil litigation, commercial law, complex criminal defense, DUI defense, employment law, family law, and professional liability defense. The firm’s attorneys represent clients in municipal, state, federal and appellate courts and before administrative panels.