I was born and raised in Tennessee. I attended college in my hometown, graduating with honors from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in Literature in 2002. After college, I moved to Colorado to attend the University of Denver. While in law school, I participated in the criminal defense clinic where we fought to protect clients accused of crimes, drafted appeals, and represented clients in court. During law school, I was a law clerk for a Denver Judge and also worked as an intern for Colorado's Office of the State Public Defender.After law school, I performed a judicial fellowship in Arapahoe County working for two District Court Judges where I drafted orders, researched legal issues in criminal and civil matters, and reviewed postconviction petitions. Shortly after that, I began working as a Deputy State Public Defender where I worked in two of the busiest trial offices in Colorado: Adams and Denver Counties.As a Public Defender, I handled thousands of criminal matters ranging from DUIs, Assaults, Sexual Assaults, Homicides, Drug Offenses, Violent Crimes, Weapons Offenses, Financial Crimes including COCCA cases, and Domestic Violence charges. I also represented clients in numerous appeals and postconviction matters, such as reconsiderations of sentences and litigation of postconviction claims.I left the Public Defender's Office in 2016 to start my own practice. I specialize in serious felony offenses but give equal passion and attention to clients accused of DUIs, assaults, misdemeanors, and Domestic Violence charges.EXPERIENCEColorado State Public Defender, Denver & Brighton, CO (2007 - 2016)Senior Deputy State Public Defender, Trial Attorney* Represented clients in thousands of felony cases* Represented clients in over sixty trials mostly involving serious felony matters.* First chaired complex first degree murder case.* Successfully litigated production of documents by entering pro hac vice in Nevada.* Communicate with Spanish-speaking clients and interpret for colleagues.* Successfully represented clients in stabbing cases resulting in acquittal on mandatory prison sentences.* Litigate sex assault on child case resulting in acquittal.* Represent clients in acquittals of numerous drug offenses.* Represent direct file client in first degree assault trial resulting in acquittal.* Represent first degree murder clients resulting in conviction of lesser offenses.* Mentor young attorney by assisting them with training, pretrial, and trial litigation* Supervise and assist investigation of complex felony cases.* Prepare creative demonstrative exhibits: powerpoint presentations and videos.* Successfully used electronic discovery in trial.* Litigate and write numerous successful appeals.PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES* Denver Chapter Head, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, 2017-Present* Conducted statewide training for public defenders "Litigating 404(b), 2015* Conducted training for Denver Trial Office "Litigating Prosecutorial Misconduct", 2014* Conducted trainings for Brighton Regional Office "Evidence-Based Sentencing" and "Time Actually Served in DOC", 2013* Judicial Benchbook Committee on DV--Co-authored preface and sections, 2009* Board Member, Coloradans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, 2006 - 2010