Education and Background

When I graduated from Duke University in 2002, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to become a lawyer.  Two life-changing experiences made me realize that becoming an attorney was a direct and meaningful avenue to help people and advocate for change in our judicial system.

After graduation, I joined AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps program.  For a year I served “at-risk” youth at Mile High Youth Corps in Denver as an education mentor.  This program helps high school drop-outs and young men and women who are involved with the criminal justice system, change their lives.

After AmeriCorps, I worked for a small, two-person criminal defense law firm as a legal assistant for 4 years.  The attorneys I worked for were the first to instill a “client-centered” practice ethic in me.  During my time there, we represented a man charged with 1^st Degree Murder and facing the Death Penalty in Federal District Court.  I assisted in preparing his case and watched parts of his trial.  The day the jury came back with a LIFE sentence, rather than death, was the day I knew I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney.  

I went to the University of Colorado Law School on a full tuition scholarship.  I did a full year with the Legal Aid and Defender program, and learned how to be an uncompromising advocate for my clients while navigating a male-dominated profession.  During law school, I also interned both summers with the Colorado State Public Defender, where I gained invaluable experience learning directly from experienced attorneys who litigate nearly daily.

Serving as a Public Defender

After graduating law school, I accepted a job with the Denver Public Defender’s Office where I practiced for 6 years.  The Colorado Public Defender offers nationally-recognized training for new lawyers, that is unparalleled in the private sector.  As a Public Defender, I represented people charged with felonies and misdemeanors, including, but not limited to Homicide, Assault, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and DUIs.  I represented adults and juveniles and served 15 months in the Denver Drug Court, including 8 months as defense counsel on the felony DUI treatment team, also known as “RESTART” Court.

During my time as a Public Defender, I honed my litigation skills in over a hundred trials; motions hearings; and other litigation.  Several clients and cases left an indelible impression on me. 

One case was a domestic violence case, which I took to trial.  My client was adamant that no domestic violence had occurred, but the police and the prosecutor believed the complaining witness; despite witnesses and factual evidence that directly contradicted her story.  We fought hard at trial.  I confronted a police officer on the stand who tried to alter his version of events to help the prosecution’s case.  I also got the complaining witness to contradict herself.  After the jury acquitted my client, the prosecutor came up to me and shook my hand saying, “I mean this as a compliment.   You are a bulldog.” 

Move to Private Criminal Defense Practice

I recently left the Public Defender’s office to join the O’Malley Law Office because there were things I couldn’t do for my clients as a Public Defender – either due to a lack of time or resources.  I wanted to be able to commit more time and energy to my individual clients’ cases, while utilizing all the tools I learned as a public defender.

If you want a legal bulldog on your side, please call me.  I can’t wait to meet with you so we can fight the system together.

Practice Areas:

• 100% Criminal Defense and Litigation

Education:

• University of Colorado – School of Law (Boulder, CO)
  • Juris Doctor, 2011

• Duke University (Durham, NC)
  • Bachelor of Arts, 2002
  • Dean's List 1999;2001

Bar Admissions:

• Colorado, 2011

Associations and Memberships

• Colorado Bar Association

• Colorado Criminal Defense Bar

• National Association of Drug Court Professionals