Attorney Noel Caldwell fights for the rights of criminal defendants, the victims of police misconduct and other civil rights violations, and those injured by others’ neglect across the state of Kentucky. A former prosecutor and government defense attorney, Noel brings an insider’s perspective to these cases, helping clients understand how the systems work. A cancer survivor and health advocate, Noel’s frank honesty assures his clients. He helps them set realistic expectations and consider the options before them.

“From a young age, I was inspired to become a lawyer by my father, who started his career as a criminal law prosecutor and is now a defense attorney. I fought cancer during my first year of law school and survived. Now I fight for my clients against prosecutors, state agencies, and systems working against them.”

Honest Insight for Your Toughest Legal Fights

In his first year of law school, Noel Caldwell was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next year he fought against the disease guided by a doctor whose frank, honest advice kept him focused on the next step along the way. Surviving cancer and that doctor’s approach to a life-changing event had a profound effect on Noel.

With cancer behind him, Noel completed law school and started his career in the Fayette County Attorney’s Office. He spent almost 3 years prosecuting state misdemeanor and felony cases. Then he joined his father and brother in a family-based private practice. In that firm, he served as a government defense attorney, representing Kentucky agencies and actors when they were sued by residents of the state. From there, he became a government lawyer himself, working as General Counsel for the business division of the Kentucky Secretary of State for four years. In all this work, he learned the strategies, methods, and legal arguments that prosecutors and government agencies use against criminal defendants, prison inmates, and other victims of civil rights violations.

Now he is happy to use his insight into these systems to help the individual criminal defendants, prison inmates, and residents defend their rights and get fair resolutions to their legal issues. When clients sit across from him facing a life-changing criminal charge or injury, he remembers that doctor’s approach and uses that same frank honesty to guide clients through their own struggles. Noel has been representing criminal defendants and helping individuals file civil rights and personal injury lawsuits for multiple years. Working in both state and federal court, he brings his unique insight and empathetic approach to every case.

Noel Caldwell, At a Glance

Bar Admissions

  • Kentucky State Bar (2007)
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (2007)
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (2017)
  • The United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit (2016)

Professional Experience

  • Noel Caldwell, Attorney at Law, PLLC (2016 - Present)
    • Founder
  • Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office (2012 - 2016)
    • General Counsel Business Division (2012 - 2016)
    • Executive Director of the Kentucky Business One-Stop Portal (2013 - 2016)
    • Executive Director Office of Business (2012 - 2013)
  • Caldwell, Caldwell & Caldwell PLLC (2010 - 2011)
    • Attorney
  • Fayette County Attorney’s Office (2007 - 2009)
    • Prosecutor
    • Assistant Fayette County Attorney

Education

  • University of Kentucky College of Law (2007)
    • Juris Doctor
  • Georgetown College (2002)
    • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Understanding The Impact of Race in the Criminal Justice System (Aug. 2020)
  • Fayette County Bar Association - Running Your Own Law Firm (Sept. 2020)
  • Walk Forward Lexington - A Rally for Change and Equality (June 2020)

Affiliations & Civic Activities

  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Fayette County Bar Association
  • Kentucky Justice Association
  • Lexington Young Professionals (2016)
  • University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Patient Advisory Group (2009 - 2013)