Will first settled in Vermont in 1976. He started his legal career as a state prosecutor, handling a wide range of cases including homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, illegal drugs, and DUI, conducting well over 100 jury trials and multiple appeals.
After opening a private law practice in Brattleboro in 1985, Will represented scores of indigent defendants as assigned counsel for the Defender General, successfully defending persons charged with major felonies, including murder, sexual assault, burglary, and drug sales and possession, successfully moving to have illegally seized evidence and confessions thrown out of court, having charges dismissed by the court or prosecutor, negotiating a favorable plea agreement resulting in reduced charges and sentences, or securing acquittals following a jury trial.
Will is a Vermont Criminal Defense Attorney with over 37 years of experience defending people charged with federal and state crimes, and will defend his clients to the fullest extent of the law. During a recent contested sentencing hearing in a burglary and illegal drug case, a Vermont Superior Court judge told Will’s client, “I have seldom seen an attorney work harder for a client that Mr. Kraham has been working for you … and you should be thankful for Mr. Kraham’s extensive work on your behalf.”
Will was a partner in a law firm in Brattleboro for several years, and since 2010, has been a member of the Criminal Justice Panel, U.S. District Court, District of Vermont, representing citizens who have been indicted in federal court.
Will has over 33 years of trial experience, both civil and criminal, has served as an acting judge in state criminal court for over 21 years, and previously served for over a decade on the Vermont Supreme Court Advisory Committee for the Rules of Evidence. Will has experience serving as Counsel to the Judicial Conduct Board, has the highest peer review (AV) Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of the National and Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
In addition to his active federal and state criminal practice, Will also represents clients involved in civil or administrative litigation, prosecutes personal injury claims, represents children and parents in family and juvenile court, prosecutes claims against the police for the violation of civil rights, and defends professionals charged with misconduct.
Education:
American University, B.A., cum laude 1974
Vermont Law School, J.D. 1979
Bar Admissions:
State Of Vermont, Supreme Court – Montpelier, Vermont
Admitted: June 3, 1980
District Of Columbia, Court of Appeals – Washington, D.C.
Admitted: October 20, 1980
U.S. District Court, District of Vermont – Burlington, Vermont
Admitted: Dec 16, 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit – New York, New York
Admitted: Jul 16, 2003
State of Texas, Supreme Court – Austin, Texas
Admitted: May 8, 2008
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas – Austin, Texas
Admitted: Apr 13, 2009
United States Supreme Court – Washington, District Of Columbia
Admitted: Jun 01, 2009
