Denver Criminal Defense Attorneysformer public defenders with decades of trial experience.
The Denver criminal defense attorneys at Stuart & Ward LLP share a common foundation: all began their careers as Colorado State Public Defenders. That apprenticeship produces lawyers who actually try cases regularly, in front of juries, against experienced prosecutors. Decades into the firm's practice, that trial-first orientation still defines how we work.
Stuart & Ward LLP is Tier 1 ranked in three Colorado practice categories by U.S. News - Best Law Firms. Two of our partners are past presidents of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. We represent clients in state and federal criminal matters and in plaintiff-side civil litigation across Colorado.
What follows is an introduction to the firm and to the three partners who handle our cases. Each partner's full biography is one click away.
Where Our Denver Criminal Defense Attorneys Practicetwo related disciplines, one trial-focused approach.
Stuart & Ward LLP runs two related practices that share a common foundation: courtroom advocacy in cases where the stakes are real. The skills that make a strong criminal defense lawyer translate directly to plaintiff-side civil work, and vice versa.
Our criminal defense practice covers the full range of Colorado state and federal charges, with depth in violent crimes, white-collar matters, drug crimes, sex crimes, and DUI. We hold Tier 1 rankings in two Colorado criminal categories from U.S. News - Best Law Firms, including the white-collar category.
Our civil practice handles plaintiff-side personal injury work and civil rights litigation against law enforcement. We hold the Tier 1 ranking in Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. The civil rights work is a natural extension of the criminal defense practice: same courts, same officers, opposite side of the courtroom.
Meet the Attorneysthree partners, all former Colorado State Public Defenders.
The Public Defender's office is one of the few places in American legal practice where new lawyers actually try cases regularly. That experience shapes every case the firm handles. Our Denver criminal defense attorneys each carry that foundation into every matter. Each partner's full biography, including bar admissions, representative cases, and areas of focus, is available on their individual page.
Martin A. Stuart
Co-founding partner. Former Colorado State Public Defender. Past President of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. Recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers and rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Marty's practice covers the full range of state and federal criminal defense, with particular depth in serious felony matters.
Thomas R. Ward
Co-founding partner. Former Colorado State Public Defender. Past President of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. Recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers and rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Tom's practice spans criminal defense and complex civil litigation, including white-collar cases and plaintiff personal injury work.
Joshua D. Amos
Partner. Former Colorado State Public Defender. Recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers. Josh's practice focuses on criminal defense across state and federal courts, including drug crimes, DUI defense, and felony matters. His public defender background gives him significant trial experience across a broad range of charge types.
How Our Denver Criminal Defense Attorneys Run Casestrial-ready posture, direct access, selective caseload.
There are firms that take every case that comes in the door and resolve most of them through plea. There are also firms that take fewer cases and try the ones that need trying. We are the second kind of firm, by design.
Trial-Ready Posture
Every case we take is prepared as if it will be tried. That posture is what creates leverage in negotiation: prosecutors and insurers offer better terms to lawyers they believe will actually go to trial. Most of our cases resolve before trial, but they resolve on terms made possible by trial readiness.
Direct Attorney Access
Our clients work directly with the attorneys handling their cases, not through case managers or intake staff as the primary contact. Calls and emails are returned promptly. The practical reality of a serious case is months or years of close work between client and counsel, and the relationship has to support that.
Selective Caseload
We take fewer cases than high-volume firms do, because the cases we take get our full attention. This is not a marketing pose. It reflects a real limit on what one lawyer can do well in serious litigation, and it is the reason our results are what they are.
Recognition for the Firm and Its Attorneys
Stuart & Ward LLP holds Tier 1 rankings in three Colorado practice categories from U.S. News and Best Lawyers' Best Law Firms publication. The Tier 1 designation is determined by a combination of client evaluations, peer reviews, and law firm reviews and reflects sustained results in the specific category.
U.S. News Tier 1 Rankings
Three Colorado Tier 1 categories from U.S. News - Best Law Firms: Colorado Criminal Defense (White-Collar), Colorado Criminal Defense (General Practice), and Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. Tier 1 is the highest ranking U.S. News awards in a given category and geographic market.
Colorado Super Lawyers
All three partners (Martin A. Stuart, Thomas R. Ward, and Joshua D. Amos) have been recognized as Colorado Super Lawyers. The Super Lawyers selection process combines peer evaluations and independent research and recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in each state.
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
The firm holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating from one of the longest-running attorney evaluation services. The AV designation reflects very high legal ability and ethical standards as evaluated by other lawyers and judges.
Ready to Talk About Your Case?
Stuart & Ward LLP represents clients in state and federal criminal matters and in plaintiff-side civil litigation across Colorado. Call for a free, confidential consultation with one of our attorneys.