Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2010
Education: University of St. Thomas School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2014 - 2023 Call today:
763-401-6427
Brandt Kettwick Defense
2150 3rd Ave. N.Suite 210
Anoka, MN 55303 Visit website
A seasoned and tenacious criminal defense attorney, Nicole A. Kettwick is a partner at Brandt Kettwick Defense in St. Paul, Minnesota. Practicing law for over a decade, she is committed to protecting the rights of her clients in matters involving everything from minor traffic offenses and drunk driving crimes to criminal sexual conduct and murder.
Deeply understanding the unique needs of her clients, Ms. Kettwick translates their stories into clear, direct and persuasive legal arguments. Approachable, knowledgeable and practical, she provides the support her clients need to navigate through the complexities of the legal system and allows them to make informed decisions on how to approach their problems.
Ms. Kettwick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sociology in 2007 from the University of St. Thomas, where she led the Varsity Tennis Team. She then attended the University of St. Thomas School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor in 2010. Aside from actively practicing law, she is instructing law students as an adjunct professor at her alma mater.
To stay connected with her peers, Ms. Kettwick is associated with organizations such as the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. A co-chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association, she is involved in planning continued legal education courses for criminal defense attorneys throughout Minnesota. In addition to judging moot court and mock trial competitions, she mentors high-achieving law students.
Besides being listed among the Top Women Attorneys, Ms. Kettwick has been featured by The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. She has also been consistently maintaining a “Superb” rating on Avvo. She also speaks regularly at conferences and events to educate fellow lawyers and others on the latest criminal defense developments.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Parole, Probation, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 70% Criminal Defense
- 30% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 2010, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://bkdefense.com/nicole-a-kettwick.html
Bar / Professional Activity
- Minnesota State Bar Association: Treasure (executive committee, elected position), 2025
- Minnesota State Bar Association- Secretary, 2024
- Chair of the New Lawyers Section of the HCBA, 2014
- Hennepin County Bar Association- secretary, 2020
- Hennepin County Bar Association- Treasure, 2021
- Hennepin County Bar Association - President- Elect, 2022
- Hennepin County Bar Association President, 2023
- New Lawyers Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association, Former CLE Director, 2012
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- American Bar Association, Delegate; Member
- Hennepin County Bar Association, New Lawyers Section, Delegate
- Hennepin County Bar Association, New Lawyers Section, Former Chair
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Criminal Division, Co-chair
- 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- United States District Court - District of Minnesota
- United States Supreme Court
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged in Sherburne County with possession of pornographic work involving a minor. Nicole filed a motion to dismiss challenging the sufficiency of the State’s evidence and the adequacy of the investigation. The court granted the motion and dismissed all charges., 2023
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged in Anoka County with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Nicole filed a motion to dismiss based on a due process challenge arising from a seven-year delay between the alleged incident and charging. After cross-examining the investigator at a contested omnibus hearing and submitting written briefing, the court granted the motion and dismissed all charges., 2023
- Judge granted my motion for judgement of acquittal in Blue Earth County after State did not meet its burden and cross examination of all of state’s witnesses., 2025
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged in Anoka County with second-degree assault, firearm offenses, and reckless driving. Through negotiation, the case resolved with a plea to an amended charge of fifth-degree assault, avoiding a felony conviction., 2024
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged with multiple felony offenses. Through proactive mitigation efforts and ongoing negotiations, the case resolved with a plea to a lesser charge of felony child endangerment by firearm access. The remaining charges, including second-degree manslaughter and negligent storage, were dismissed at sentencing. Upon successful completion of probation, the conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor., 2024
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged with assault in Ramsey County arising from an incident involving a student. Nicole reviewed the evidence, gathered independent documentation, and obtained relevant Department of Education determination records. After this information was presented to the prosecutor, the State dismissed the case., 2024
- Nicole Kettwick represented a client charged in Anoka County with violating a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO). Nicole filed a motion challenging probable cause, which the court granted, resulting in dismissal of all charges., 2024
- After an eleven-day jury trial, Nicole Kettwick secured not guilty verdicts on all counts of felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Nicole conducted a comprehensive investigation, interviewed multiple witnesses, and retained a private investigator to develop evidence not identified by the State., 2024
- Nicole Kettwick represented a juvenile client charged with a dangerous weapon violation in Anoka County. After resolving the underlying matter, Nicole continued representation to pursue expungement. By presenting updates regarding the client’s progress and rehabilitation, and with the prosecutor’s agreement, the court granted expungement of the client’s record., 2024
- after a 7 week federal trial, client found not guilty on 3 counts (but guilty on 4 counts), 2024
- Nicole Kettwick secured expungement of records for a client charged with felony fourth-degree assault against a correctional employee. Through written submissions and advocacy before the court, the expungement was granted, and following the statutory waiting period, the records will no longer be publicly accessible., 2025
- Juvenile Assault and Disorderly Conduct Charges DismissedJuvenile Assault & Disorderly Conduct – Charges Dismissed: Nicole represented a juvenile client charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Through investigation, negotiation, and pretrial advocacy, the prosecution dismissed all charges, 2025
- Felony Possession of Pornographic Work – Diversion and Expungement (April 2025, Hennepin County): Nicole secured diversion for a juvenile client charged with felony possession of pornographic work involving a minor. Following successful completion of the diversion program, the prosecution agreed to expungement of the case., 2025
- DWI Charge Dismissed Following Granted Defense Motion: The court granted a defense motion resulting in dismissal of a DWI charge., 2025
- Multiple Counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct (Second Degree) – Jury Acquittal: After an extensive jury trial lasting nearly two weeks, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts., 2025
- Gross Misdemeanor Malicious Punishment of a Child – Charges Dismissed (July 2025): After the case was set for trial, our defense team conducted witness interviews, gathered key exhibits, and filed pretrial motions. The prosecutor ultimately dismissed all charges., 2025
- The State dismissed a charge of driving without proof of insurance on the eve of trial after the defense declined the State’s pretrial offer., 2025
- Following defense investigation, witness interviews, review and disclosure of digital evidence, and the filing of motions in limine with witness and exhibit lists, the State dismissed all charges on the eve of trial., 2025
Special Licenses / Certifications
- I was accepted and completed the federal defender second chair program to learn federal court., 2025
Pro bono / Community Service
- Mentor for law students at Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- I have been an MSBA north star lawyer for my pro bono work for many years, 2025
- Ethics investigator for the 21st district
- Judge for the Law School Moot Court Competition
- Judge for the MSBA Mock Trial Team
- Mentor for law students at UST
- Board Member for H2O for Life
Educational Background
- University of St. Thomas- Philosophy and Sociology, B.A., Cum Laude. Captain of Varsity Tennis Team. , 2003-2007
- University of St. Thomas, School of Law. Jessup Moot Court, McGee Moot Court, 2007-2010
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- I wrote an article about a famous lawyer who passed (who i had the fortune of knowing and receiving his mentorship) and talked about the mental load many lawyers, and trial lawyers, carry. , Author, A Shocking Reminder, Hennepin Lawyer, All Members (lawyers) Of The HCBA, 2023
- Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law
- I wrote and an article was published about the difficult decisions lawyers have to face often in their work and how to navigate those, Author, Between Two Wrongs, Hennepin Lawyer, All Members Of HCBA (7500 Lawyers - Approximately), 2024
- I submitted an article about the courage it takes for prosecutors, judges, and defendants who go before them, Author, Unsung Heroes, Hennepin Lawyer, All (about) 7, 500 Members Of The Hennepin County Bar Association, 2024
- Hennepin Lawyer, Gone in 6 drinks: An overview of Minnesota Forfeiture Law in DWI cases, 2012
- Minnesota CLE, Chapter on Evidence – DWI DESKBOOK, 2012
- Hearsay (MSBA New Lawyers Section), Thou Shall Not Spank: A Look at Minnesota’s Malicious Punishment Statute, 2013
- Hennepin Lawyer, Marijuana in Minnesota: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 2014
- Hennepin Lawyer, Interpreters in the Courtroom, 2016
- DWI Deskbook, Forfeiture Chapter DWI DESKBOOK, 2012 - 2019
- Minnesota CLE, An Update on DWI Forfeiture, 2013
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Expanding Implied Consent Hearings: Creative Defenses and Moving Beyond the 10 Enumerated Issues, 2013
- 2014 Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice 29th Annual DWI Seminar, Just What the Doctored Ordered – Prescription Drug DWIs and Revocation
- Building a Constellation of Mentors, The Importance of Mentor Relationships, Developing These Relationships Through Networking, 2014
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, Volunteering with the Hennepin County Bar Association, 2016
- Minnesota CLE, DWI Forfeitures, 2016
- HOME Line, Criminally Involved Lawyers, Seventh Annual Full Ethics and Elimination of Bias Training, 2017
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Excellent mind regarding criminal law. Approachable, articulate, and trustworthy for clients. One of the few criminal attorneys I trust with my referrals.”
“Nicole is a compassionate and tireless advocate for her clients.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2014 - 2023
