Derek Samuelson is a trial lawyer who specializes in defending criminal cases in state and federal court. Mr. Samuelson has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers (2013-present) and a Colorado Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers (2019-present). He is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest recognition possible in the practice of law. Mr. Samuelson also enjoys a Superb 10/10 rating from Avvo (2015-present). Mr. Samuelson is proud to provide comprehensive legal representation to people charged with criminal offenses throughout northern Colorado and in federal court. Mr. Samuelson has defended clients against everything from DUI charges to the death penalty and has established a track record of trial success in the process. Before entering private practice, Mr. Samuelson spent more than a decade representing people charged with felonies and misdemeanors for the Colorado State Public Defender in the Fort Collins, Greeley, and Denver Regional Offices. He was also selected to serve on the Capital Defense Unit and named the 'Attorney of the Year' by the Colorado State Public Defender for outstanding service in the practice of criminal defense. Mr. Samuelson was chosen from over 300 criminal defense attorneys across Colorado for the award. Mr. Samuelson's courtroom experience is extensive. He has handled thousands of criminal cases and defended clients charged with virtually every crime on the books in Colorado. He has tried and won numerous high-profile cases. Mr. Samuelson received his law degree from the University of Denver where he graduated with high academic honors, earning membership to the Law Review and the Order of St. Ives (top 10% of the class). Mr. Samuelson earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Vermont, where he was a Dean's List student and captained a nationally-ranked NCAA Division I soccer team Away from the courtroom, Mr. Samuelson teaches continuing legal education courses to other lawyers across the country on topics such as trial tactics, cross-examination, and death penalty jury selection. He is also frequently called upon to speak to college classes and community service organizations about issues in the criminal justice system. Mr. Samuelson is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, and the Larimer County Bar Association. He has also served on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Title IX Committee, National Legal Aid & Defender Association Advisory Board, the Weld County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, and the Larimer County Juvenile Drug Court Board.