Martin A. StuartCo-Founding Partner.
mstuart@stuartwardlaw.com · (303) 832-8888
One of Colorado's most accomplished trial lawyers, Martin Stuart has tried over 100 jury trials and secured acquittals on some of the state's most serious charges, including first-degree murder, sexual assault, and drug distribution.
- State & Federal Criminal Defense
- Sex Crimes & Violent Offenses
- White-Collar Offenses
- Drug Trafficking & Conspiracy
- Expert Witness (Ineffective Assistance of Counsel)
- Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers (2024, 2025)
- Best Lawyers: White-Collar (2019 - present); General Practice (2021 - present)
- 5280 Top Lawyers, Criminal Defense (7 times: 2017, 2018, 2020 - 2024)
- Colorado Super Lawyer (2012 - present, 15 consecutive years)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent (2019 - present)
- Best Law Firms: Tier 1, annually since 2016
Martin Stuart has devoted his career to defending people facing the most serious criminal allegations in Colorado state and federal courts. Over nearly three decades of practice, he has tried over 100 jury trials, securing acquittals on charges ranging from first-degree murder and robbery to theft of trade secrets and sexual assault. Named a Colorado Super Lawyer every year since 2012 and a Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyer in both 2024 and 2025, Martin is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for both Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: General Practice, and has appeared on 5280 Magazine's Denver's Top Lawyers list seven times.
Expert Witness and Federal Practice
Martin's reputation for meticulous preparation and innovative defense strategy extends well beyond the courtroom. Colorado courts have qualified him as an expert witness in criminal defense and in the defense of felony sexual assault cases on numerous occasions, a rare distinction reflecting the depth of expertise recognized by both bench and bar. His federal practice spans the full range of prosecutions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, with particular depth in child pornography, drug conspiracy, and criminal and civil forfeiture. He is admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit, and the District of Colorado.
Leadership in Criminal Justice Policy
A former President of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Martin has been a leading voice in criminal justice policy throughout his career. He served on the Governor's Sentencing Commission's Task Force on Incarceration, served on the CJA Standing Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and chaired the Colorado Bar Association's Criminal Law Section Executive Committee. He has lectured widely on sexual assault defense, federal cooperation agreements, and expert witness cross-examination technique.
- Partner, Stuart & Ward LLP (2023 - present)
- Partner, McDermott Stuart & Ward LLP (2016 - 2023)
- Managing Partner, PortmanStuart, LLC (2011 - 2016)
- Principal, Law Office of Martin Stuart, P.C. (2002 - 2011)
- Colorado State Public Defender, Arapahoe, Eagle, Huerfano, and Jefferson County Offices (1997 - 2002)
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D. (1997), Hoffman Cup Trial Advocacy Champion
- Whittier College, B.A. (1993), Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society
- Supreme Court of the United States (2007)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (2006)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (2003)
- State of Colorado (1997)
Honors & Distinctions
- Listed Under "Best Law Firms" Tier 1 in Criminal Defense: General Practice, The Best Law Firms in America
- Listed Under "Best Law Firms" Tier 1 in Criminal Defense: White-Collar, The Best Law Firms in America
- Listed Under "Best Law Firms" Tier 1 in Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiffs, The Best Law Firms in America
- Listed Under Criminal Defense: White-Collar, The Best Lawyers in America (2019 - present)
- Listed Under Criminal Defense: General Practice, The Best Lawyers in America (2021 - present)
- Listed Under DUI/DWI Defense, The Best Lawyers in America (2024 - present)
- Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2024, 2025)
- Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine (2012 - present)
- Denver's Top Lawyers, Criminal Defense, 5280 Magazine (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated (2019 - present)
- 10/10, AVVO
- Hoffman Cup Trial Advocacy Champion, University of Denver College of Law (1996)
- Chair, Criminal Law Section Executive Committee, Colorado Bar Association (2020 - 2021)
- Executive Committee Member, Criminal Law Section, Colorado Bar Association (2018 - 2023)
- President, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2009 - 2010)
- Board of Directors, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2005 - 2010)
- Chair, Policy Committee, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2008 - 2009)
- Member, Criminal Justice Act Standing Committee, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (2017 - 2023)
- Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (2003 - present)
- Member, Governor's Sentencing Commission Incarceration Task Force (2009 - 2010)
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003 - present)
- Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2003 - present)
- Member, Colorado Bar Association (1997 - present)
- Member, Denver Bar Association (2003 - present)
- "Crossing Sex Crimes Experts," Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Conference on Sexual Assault Defense (2026)
- "Defending Child Pornography Cases," Colorado State Public Defender Annual Conference (2022)
- "Federal Cooperation and Proffers," Criminal Justice Act, Federal District of Colorado (2021)
- "Challenging the Prosecution Experts in Sexual Assault Cases," Colorado Criminal Defense Bar / Alternate Defense Counsel Seminar (2018)
- "The Nuts and Bolts of Cross-Examination," Denver Public Defender's Office (2014)
- "Sealing Records," Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2008)
- "Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases," Colorado State Public Defender Annual Conference (1998)
Talk to Martin About Your Case
Martin A. Stuart represents clients facing serious criminal allegations in Colorado state and federal courts. Call for a free, confidential consultation.