Manny Atwal, Office of the Federal Defender, District of Minnesota

Manny Atwal serves as first assistant federal defender for the Office of the Federal Defender, District of Minnesota, where she has built a distinguished 25-year career defending high-profile federal criminal cases and shaping national defense standards.

Throughout her tenure, Atwal has personally defended almost every major criminal case in the district, including murder, child exploitation, sex trafficking, white collar, gun and gang, and narcotics cases. Her extensive trial experience led to her hand-selection to represent Vance Boelter in the shooting case of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman.

Atwal manages a typical caseload of more than 100 active criminal cases while overseeing attorneys and staff handling a vast spectrum of criminal matters. Her recent notable cases include U.S. v. Michael Kurkowski, a complex child exploitation case.

Atwal has implemented a robust training and mentorship program for assistant federal defenders and support staff. She helped spearhead the second-chair mentorship program for private criminal defense attorneys and CJA panel members and was a founding member of Reentry Court, providing criminal participants with alternatives to traditional post-conviction supervision.

Her influence extends nationally through her appointment to the American College of Trial Lawyers and work shaping federal public defense policies. She contributed to the Federal Defender Training Division and provided policy input to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Atwal co-led a multi-district workgroup on post-conviction relief and First Step Act litigation, providing guidance and strategic templates used by defender offices nationwide.

As co-chair of the White Collar Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Atwal brings a unique public defense perspective to discussions typically dominated by prosecution or corporate views. She has planned numerous CLEs and social events, consistently including diverse panels and creating opportunities for newer lawyers.

Atwal serves on the Minnesota State Community Public Defenders Committee and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, leading conversations on access to justice. She sits on the board of directors for the Neighborhood Justice Center in Minneapolis, guiding restorative justice programs that reduce recidivism and strengthen community-based solutions.