Dan Carman focuses his practice exclusively on criminal defense. He is admitted to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
He is a member of the American, Kentucky, and Fayette County Bar Associations, as well as the National and Kentucky Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also serves as a Barrister in the Central Kentucky American Inn of Court.
Mr. Carman brings a breadth of courtroom experience shaped by federal judicial service and military advocacy. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jennifer B. Coffman, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Judge for the Western District of Kentucky, where he gained firsthand insight into federal criminal procedure and judicial decision-making.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Carman served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. In that role, he defended service members facing serious felony-level charges, including sexual assault, drug offenses, child pornography charges, larceny, hazing, and obstruction of justice, among others.
He also served as a prosecutor and as a legal assistance attorney, advising and representing hundreds of clients in matters involving domestic relations, consumer protection, debt and collections, landlord–tenant disputes, and estate planning.
During his military service, Mr. Carman acted as in-house counsel to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines and deployed to the Anbar and Nineveh Provinces of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mr. Carman earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2005. While in law school, he was a member of the Kentucky Law Journal, received a “Best Brief” distinction for legal writing, served as President of the Federalist Society chapter, and worked with a Lexington law firm. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Davidson College in 2001, where he served as Vice President of Kappa Alpha Order and Captain of the Division I wrestling team.
A lifelong resident of Lexington, Mr. Carman is a graduate of Henry Clay High School. He serves as a Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church and is a member of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky. Outside the courtroom, he enjoys spending time with his wife and sons, fishing, making music, and following University of Kentucky athletics.
Credentials
- J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law, 2005
- B.A., Davidson College, 2001
- Admitted: Kentucky; U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- Captain, United States Marine Corps (Judge Advocate)
- Law Clerk to Chief U.S. District Judge
- Member, American, Kentucky, and Fayette County Bar Associations
- Member, National and Kentucky Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Barrister, Central Kentucky American Inn of Court
Honors & Recognition
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (2013)
- Super Lawyer – Rising Stars
- Avvo – 4.4 stars
- Three Best Rated – Best Business (2019, 2021)
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 is an invitation-only organization recognizing attorneys who meet defined selection criteria based on peer nominations and independent research.
