In the News

Attorney William Brennan is regularly called upon by local and national media to provide insight on high-profile criminal cases and pressing legal issues. With nearly four decades of courtroom experience, he brings an informed, practical perspective to the conversations shaping criminal law today.

Prominently Featured In:

Featured on: CNN

William Brennan discusses Jeanine Pirro’s evidence review in Reflecting Pool case.

Trump meets with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after prosecutors drop charges tied to alleged Reflecting Pool damage.

Featured on: CNN

William Brennan comments on prosecutorial discretion in dismissed federal vandalism case.

Federal prosecutors dismissed charges after reassessing evidence tied to alleged damage at the Reflecting Pool.

Featured on: CBS

William J. Brennan comments on search and seizure issues regarding Luigi Mangione case.

Newly released body camera video shows arrest of Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 10/6/25

Philly Judge Scott DiClaudio says he didn’t try to influence a case. His colleague disagrees.

The state Board of Judicial Discipline is weighing whether to suspend Judge Scott DiClaudio without pay amid allegations that he tried to influence a fellow judge’s decision in a criminal case.

Featured on: The Michael Smerconish Program

On the 4th anniversary of January 6th, A conversation with Trump’s Impeachment Attorneys

Michael welcomes attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen in studio on the 4th anniversary of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Featured on: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AJC Politics – Athens Man Convicted of Felony Avoids Jail Time

Athens man avoids jail time on Jan. 6 felony charge

Featured on: Irish Star

IrishStar – Trump Attorney William J. Brennan

Trump lawyer who defended him against indictment weighs in on ‘likelihood’ of Trump conceding

Featured on: Yahoo! News

Yahoo! News – Trump Trials

Trump trial wrapped ‘with duct-tape, zip-ties to make it a felony’: Former attorney | Vargas Reports

Featured on: CNN

CNN News Central – Trump Attorney on Delaying Election Outcome

Judge Grants Special Counsel Request To Delay Deadlines In Trump Election Interference Case

Featured on: CNN · 4/30/24

Why a defense attorney thinks Judge Merchan didn’t jail Trump over gag order.

Legal Expert Explains Why Judge Opted for Restraint in Trump Case

Featured on: NBC10 Philadelphia

Attorneys who represented Trump’s payroll corporation analyze current hush money case

Attorneys Provide Perspective on Hush Money Trial Dynamics

Featured on: Mediaite

Former Trump Attorney Cracks Up Jake Tapper By Mimicking Potential Juror With Irish Accent Who Said She Despised Trump

Former Trump Attorney Highlights Juror Bias in Jury Selection

Featured on: CNN · 4/13/24

Attorney: Manhattan jury pool selection ‘tough’ for Trump

Former Counsel Explains Challenges of Finding Impartial Panel

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 3/20/24

Charges are dropped against Bam Margera in Delco intoxication case

Judge Dismisses Case After Court Review

Featured on: WWDB-AM

Bill Brennan guest hosts on The Van Der Veen and Co Show

Philadelphia Attorney Steps In as Special Guest Host

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 3/1/23

Trump supporters avoid extra jail time for bringing guns near 2020 Philly vote count

Defendants Receive No Additional Penalties After Review

Featured on: U.S. News & World Report · 10/27/22

Trump Org. Trial Jury: 8 Men, 4 Women, and a Few Opinions

Court Finalizes Jury Panel in High-Profile Case

Featured on: CNN · 10/29/22

Quarter of jury in Trump Org trial openly don’t like Trump

Selected Panel Includes Members With Strong Views

Featured on: CNN · 10/24/22

Trump Org. criminal tax fraud trial kicks off Monday

Prosecution and Defense Ready Arguments in Corporate Case

Featured on: New York Daily News · 10/25/22

New Yorkers don’t hold back opinion of Donald Trump during jury selection at his organization’s tax fraud trial

Prospective Jurors Voice Strong Views in Courtroom

Featured on: Business Insider

Prospective jurors in the case against Trump’s business say ‘I don’t like him,’ and call Trump a ‘criminal’ who’s done ‘irreparable harm’

Court Navigates Strong Sentiments in High-Profile Trial

Featured on: Associated Press

Task 1 in Trump Organization trial: picking a neutral jury

Jury Pool Screening Aims to Protect Integrity of Trial

Featured on: 6ABC

Philly judge finds 2 men not guilty in election interference, guilty on weapons charges

Split Verdict: Firearms Guilty, Election Accusations Not Proven

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 10/12/22

Trump supporters convicted of bringing guns near the 2020 Philly vote count, but cleared of election interference

Judge Finds Men Guilty of Firearm Offenses, Acquits on Election Charges

Featured on: Mob Talk Sitdown

Case Closed on 2020 Philly Mob Racketeering Indictments. Last Plea Deal Comes from Joe Malone. Feds Go 14 for 15 with Guilty Pleas

Joe Malone’s Guilty Plea Seals 14‑for‑15 Win for Federal Prosecutors

Featured on: Univision

Propietario de edificio acusado de provocar incendio en el que murió un bombero de Filadelfia

Fiscalía imputa a dueño por supuesto incendio doloso tras colapso mortal del inmueble

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 6/24/22

Montco man who twice entered the Capitol during Jan. 6 riot sentenced to three weeks behind bars

Resident Receives 21-Day Sentence for Jan. 6 Involvement

Featured on: Associated Press

Vets for Trump co-founder free on bail despite social posts

Court Weighs Social Media Concerns but Grants Bail

Featured on: WWDB-AM

The van der Veen & Co Show: 02-23-22

Episode Features Legal Analysis on Current Events

Featured on: Fox News

Impeachment proceedings launched against Philadelphia district attorney

Lawmakers Cite Public Safety Concerns in Impeachment Push

Featured on: Fox News

Democrat congresswoman carjacked at gunpoint in Philadelphia

Gunpoint Robbery in FDR Park Targets Member of Congress, Ends in Arrests

In the News

William J Brennan – On Jan 6th Insurrectionists going to court

Jan 6th Insurrectionists going to court

Featured on: Fox News

Attorney William Brennan appears on Fox and Friends First to discuss violent crime and cash bail in Philadelphia.

https://youtu.be/Rc1QXdOTxf4?t=847

Featured on: ReleaseWire

William J. Brennan Acceptance to the American College of Trial Lawyers

Brennan Joins Elite Ranks of National Trial Lawyers

Featured on: Super Lawyers

William Brennan named Philadelphia Superlawyer for Sixteenth Straight Year.

Philadelphia Litigator Continues Longstanding Recognition

Featured on: iHeartRadio

Justice For All

In this Justice for All Podcast interview special, hosts Josh Scarpello and Pierre LaTour interview attorneys Mike van der Veen and Bill Brennan, counsel for President Donald J. Trump at his Second Impeachment Trial. Dream Team: An interview with President Trump's impeachment lawyers Mike van der Veen and Bill Brennan

Featured on: The Joe Piscopo Show

8 AM Hour The Joe Piscopo Show 2-16-21

Michael van der Veen and William Brennan, members of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial legal team. Topic: Acquittal of the former President, recap of the trial, reaction following the acquittal. https://omny.fm/shows/the-joe-piscopo-show/8-am-hour-the-joe-piscopo-show-2-16-21

Featured on: CBS Philadelphia · 2/15/21

Exclusive: Philadelphia Attorneys Van Der Veen, Brennan Explain Their ‘Dead Bang Winner Argument’ In Donald Trump Impeachment Trial

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2021/02/15/exclusive-philadelphia-attorneys-van-der-veen-brennan-explain-their-dead-bang-winner-argument-in-donald-trump-impeachment-trial/

Featured on: 6ABC

Trump’s defense team expected to finish impeachment arguments in one day

https://6abc.com/trump-impeachment-timeline-trial-schedule-defense-strategy-bruce-castor-opening-speech/10330444/

In the News

Dream Team: An interview with President Trump’s attorneys, Mike van der Veen and Bill Brennan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V8GxXBeiEs

Featured on: Northeast Times · 2/23/21

William J. Brennan, for the defense

https://northeasttimes.com/2021/02/23/william-j-brennan-for-the-defense/

Featured on: Roll Call · 2/17/21

Impeachment is over. Now what?

https://www.rollcall.com/2021/02/17/now-what/

Featured on: IOL

Closing arguments underway in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial

https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/closing-arguments-underway-in-donald-trumps-impeachment-trial-698a06ee-0391-452a-9c4b-7cffce9fcbe8

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 2/18/21

Inside Trump’s Philly impeachment team: Confusion, conflict, and threats to quit amid ‘out-and-out partisan war’

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/trump-impeachment-philadelphia-lawyers-van-der-veen-castor-20210218.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=ios&utm_campaign=app_ios_article_share&utm_content=WVB4HWDYSJBYNK5STJSY3BYCEE

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 2/9/21

More Philly lawyers are on Trump’s impeachment defense team and one sued the president last year

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/trump-impeachment-philadelphia-lawyers-van-der-veen-brennan-20210209.html

Featured on: CBS Philadelphia · 1/20/21

Riley June Williams, Harrisburg Woman Accused Of Stealing Nancy Pelosi’s Laptop During US Capitol Riots, Arraigned

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2021/01/20/riley-june-williams-nancy-pelosi-stolen-laptop-russia-us-capitol-riots/

Featured on: WHYY

Philly judge denies bail revocation for men accused of election interference

https://whyy.org/articles/philly-judge-denies-bail-revocation-for-men-accused-of-election-interference/

Featured on: NBC10 Philadelphia

Suspect Was Released on Reduced Bail 2 Weeks Before Temple Grad’s Murder

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/suspect-was-released-on-reduced-bail-2-weeks-before-temple-grads-murder/2672397/

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 1/15/21

Virginia men arrested for gun offenses during Philly vote count face new election-interference charges

https://www.inquirer.com/news/joshua-macias-antonio-lamotta-qanon-philadelphia-election-charges-20210115.html

Featured on: The Daily Beast

Sword-Packing MAGA Fanatics Busted in Philly Vote Scheme Joined Capitol Riot, Prosecutors Say

https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-fanatics-antonio-lamotta-and-joshua-macias-busted-in-philly-scheme-joined-capitol-riot-prosecutors-sayhttps://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/us/military-extremism-capitol-riot-invs/index.html

Featured on: CNN · 1/12/21

They swore to protect America. Some also joined the riot

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/us/military-extremism-capitol-riot-invs/index.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 1/8/21

Prosecutors cite Capitol siege in bid to revoke bail for Vets for Trump founder caught in Philly with Hummer filled with guns

https://www.inquirer.com/news/joshua-macias-bail-philadelphia-capitol-qanon-trump-20210108.html https://twitter.com/BrettHNews/status/1347687254194597890 https://www.fox29.com/news/da-armed-man-arrested-near-pa-convention-center-in-november-participated-in-capitol-riot

Featured on: Associated Press

Key question in Cosby appeal: Does defendant’s past matter?

https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-trials-coronavirus-pandemic-sexual-assault-crime-9311fdacdaac69d642cefd7adc1090a5

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 11/23/20

Federal prosecutors charge 15 alleged Philly mobsters with racketeering, drug dealing and extortion

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mob-drug-trafficking-extortion-20201123.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 10/21/20

Ex-Temple frat president sentenced to state prison for attempted sexual assault

https://www.inquirer.com/news/ari-goldstein-temple-university-fraternity-sexual-assault-20201021.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 10/16/20

FBI agents raid Local 98’s Philly headquarters again, looking for evidence of threats and witness intimidation

https://www.inquirer.com/news/johnny-doc-trial-local-98-ibew-fbi-investigation-bobby-henon-20201016.html

Featured on: Patch

Havertown Doc Admits To Bogus Healthcare Billing To Pocket $1.1M

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/haverford/havertown-doc-admits-bogus-healthcare-billing-pocket-1-1m

Featured on: Patch

Havertown doc gets house arrest in fraud scheme

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/haverford/havertown-doc-admits-bogus-healthcare-billing-pocket-1-1m

Featured on: Delaware County Daily Times

Havertown doctor to be sentenced today for importing non-FDA approved drugs

https://www.delcotimes.com/news/havertown-doctor-to-be-sentenced-today-for-importing-non-fda-approved-drugs/article_45cc5fe6-f6c4-11ea-9b9d-e32895b477dd.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 9/9/19

Philly courts, DA Larry Krasner try to speed up prosecutions of nonfatal shooting cases

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-court-system-da-larry-krasner-non-fatal-shooting-prosecutions-20190909.html

Featured on: FOX 29

Philadelphia man pleads guilty for trying to access Trump’s tax returns

https://www.fox29.com/news/philadelphia-man-pleads-guilty-for-trying-to-access-trumps-tax-returns

In the News

Criminal Defense Lawyer Bill Brennan Discusses Trump’s Tax Return Scandal

Trump’s Tax Return Scandal

Featured on: The Washington Post · 8/6/19

Feds: College students tried to access Trump’s tax return

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/feds-college-students-tried-to-access-trumps-tax-return/2019/08/06/d08ae2e4-b89d-11e9-8e83-4e6687e99814_story.html

Featured on: Newsweek

College Student Who Sought Trump Tax Returns in Cyber ‘Prank’ to Plead Guilty

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/08/06/us/05reuters-usa-trump-haverford.html

Featured on: Reuters

College student who sought Trump tax returns in cyber ‘prank’ to plead guilty

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-haverford/college-student-who-tried-to-access-trump-tax-returns-to-plead-guilty-idUSKCN1UV27C?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

Featured on: KXAN

College students tried to access Trump’s tax return

https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/feds-college-students-tried-to-access-trumps-tax-return/

Featured on: CNN · 7/13/19

Crime or justice? Mob kills carjacker

https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/07/13/crime-or-justice-mob-kills-carjacker.cnn

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 5/17/19

Feds accuse unnamed Philly Sheriff’s Office official of accepting bribes

https://www.philly.com/news/sheriff-sale-philadelphia-bribe-michael-riverso-jewell-williams-20190517.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 5/16/19

Feds charge 8 in connection with N. Philly business owner’s 2018 kidnapping, murder

https://www.philly.com/news/us-attorneys-office-mcswain-charge-eight-men-kidnapping-murder-luis-alejandro-chueder-ramon-20190516.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 5/16/19

In court, Roxborough woman recounts alleged rape by priest also charged with making sex tapes

https://www.philly.com/news/tow-truck-company-hooked-inc-owners-joseph-moreno-dwight-williams-theft-charges-district-attorney-larry-krasner-20190410.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Phila. man gets 5 to 10 years in road-rage killing

https://www.philly.com/philly/news/20070228_Phila__man_gets_5_to_10_years_in_road-rage_killing.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 4/10/19

DA Larry Krasner announces theft charges against North Philly tow-truck operator

https://www.philly.com/news/tow-truck-company-hooked-inc-owners-joseph-moreno-dwight-williams-theft-charges-district-attorney-larry-krasner-20190410.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 4/5/19

Pair of Philly Lawyers Get Probation For Failing To Pay Taxes

https://www.philly.com/news/edward-millstein-susan-halpern-philadelphia-lawyers-tax-federal-court-20190405.html

Featured on: NBC10 Philadelphia

Philadelphia Catholic Priest Arrested on Rape Charges

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Catholic-Priest-Garcia-Sex-Abuse-Charges-506715871.html

Featured on: Daily Herald · 11/29/18

Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kane reports to prison

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181129/news/311299894

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 11/28/18

Ex-Attorney General Kathleen Kane reports to Montco jail to begin serving sentence

https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/ex-pa-attorney-general-kathleen-kane-jail-extension-sons-custody-20181128.html

Featured on: FOX 29

Kathleen Kane reports to prison Thursday to serve perjury sentence

https://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/kathleen-kane-to-report-to-prison-thursday-to-serve-perjury-sentence/

Featured on: Philadelphia Magazine · 11/8/18

Married Rittenhouse Lawyers Plead Guilty In Big IRS Tax Case

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/11/08/ted-millstein-susan-halpern-tax-evasion/

Featured on: CNN · 9/22/18

Cosby sentencing amid Kavanaugh controversy

https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/09/22/cosby-sentencing-amid-kavanaugh-controversy.cnn

Featured on: WHYY

Cosby’s lawyers expected to raise self-incrimination argument on appeal

https://whyy.org/segments/cosbys-lawyers-expected-to-raise-self-incrimination-argument-on-appeal/

Featured on: CNN · 8/22/18

Greek life more popular than ever, despite recent controversy and deaths

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/22/us/fraternity-hazing-tim-piazza-death/index.html

Featured on: Newsday

Facebook photo dislike spurs terror hoax

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/social-media-hoax-scam-missing-boy-camj1qaz

Featured on: The Seattle Times

Philly tow truck driver charged with killing rival

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/philly-tow-truck-driver-charged-with-killing-rival/

Featured on: The New York Times · 8/4/17

Will Cosby Lawyer’s Departure Lead to Delay in Retrial?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/arts/bill-cosby-lawyers-departure-lead-to-delay-in-retrial.html

Featured on: The New York Times · 6/14/18

Cosby Dumps His Legal Team as He Prepares for Sentencing

NY Times – Cosby Dumps Legal Team as He Prepares for Sentencing

Featured on: BishopAccountability.org

Prosecution Rests Case against Philadelphia Monsignor Accused of Abuse Cover-up

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2012/05_06/2012_05_18_Eckholm_ProsecutionRests.htm

Featured on: CNN

Transcripts

http://www.cnn.tv/TRANSCRIPTS/1704/01/smer.01.html

Featured on: The Christian Science Monitor

Jury deadlocked in landmark Catholic sex abuse trial

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0620/Jury-deadlocked-in-landmark-Catholic-sex-abuse-trial

Featured on: Business Insider

Who’s defending Bill Cosby?

A look at his criminal team

Featured on: Associated Press

Bill Cosby won’t face a barrage of accusers at his trial

https://apnews.com/article/63fdc7a97ab841d5a063cc01bd4b9ad0

In the News

Is the criminal case against Bill Cosby weak?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi-4FDxPy0E

Featured on: Law.com · 8/22/18

Almost 2 Years After Ex-Traffic Court Judge Left Prison, Resentencing Ordered

https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2018/08/22/almost-2-years-after-ex-traffic-court-judge-left-prison-resentencing-ordered/ https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/16/judge-dismisses-felony-sex-charges-against-philadelphia-priest-disputing-penetration/

Featured on: CBS Philadelphia · 12/20/11

Philadelphia Woman’s Conviction Overturned in 2009 ‘Sex For Phillies Tickets’ Case

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/12/20/philadelphia-womans-conviction-overturned-in-2009-sex-for-phillies-tickets-case/

In the News

Penn State fraternity hazing death – attorney speaks about the case on day 2 of preliminary hearings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDuQAA7yApE

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Defense lawyer for PSU frat member disputes charges

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Defense-lawyer-in-PSU-frat-case-calls-charges-against-his-client-inappropriatesaid-his-client-.html

Featured on: ABC News

Former Penn State frat member no longer charged in hazing case: ‘No winners here’

https://abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-frat-member-longer-charged-hazing-case/story?id=49543863

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer · 4/28/18

How Cosby verdict could signal #MeToo impact on criminal justice system

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/bill-cosby-guilty-sexual-assault-legal-implications-20180428.html

Featured on: Daily Herald · 2/4/10

Cybill Shepherd’s son in court on theft charge

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20100204/entlife/302049780/

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Judge orders Cybill Shepherd’s son to attend AA meetings

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20100605_Judge_orders_Cybill_Shepherd_s_son_to_attend_AA_meetings.html

Featured on: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Mistrial declared in priest’s sex-assault case

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140313_Jury_split_in_priest_s_trial.html

Featured on: NBC10 Philadelphia

Angry Lawyer Slams Judge Then Phone at Priest Abuse Trial

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Jury-Deliberations-Day-7-Angry-Lawyer-Priest-Trial-158624555.html

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