DAVID S. KAPLAN
Senior Counsel
David Kaplan has more than 40 years of experience in criminal defense, including complex litigation and trial representation in state and federal courts on matters ranging from violent crime to white collar defense. Additionally, David frequently represents attorneys facing disciplinary consequences, other professionals facing regulatory licensing issues, and students confronting disciplinary actions.
David graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1982 and he subsequently served as a Deputy State Public Defender in the Denver trial office. From there he went on to practice criminal law in both state and federal courts as a partner in Pozner and Kaplan, and later with the firm of Holland, Kaplan and Pagliuca.
In 2000, David returned to public service when he was appointed Colorado State Public Defender. For more than six years, he oversaw 320 criminal defense attorneys in what is regarded as one of the top indigent defense services in the nation. David joined Haddon, Morgan and Foreman in 2006.
David is Past-President of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver College of Law, teaching criminal law, criminal procedure and trial tactics. He has lectured extensively in the areas of trial tactics, criminal defense and criminal justice issues. David served as Vice Chair of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, chaired the CJA Standing Committee for the District of Colorado from 2013 to 2017, and the CJA Panel Attorney District representative through 2020. David is Chairman of the Colorado State Public Defender Commission, Past Chairman of the Colorado State Office of Judicial Performance and a Board member of the Aurora Public Defender Commission.
Education
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D.
- University of Colorado, B.A.
Honors & Distinctions
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015–Present, in area of Non-White Collar Criminal Defense
- Colorado Supreme Court Appointment, Colorado State Public Defender Commission, 2016–Present (Current Chairman)
- Aurora Public Defender Commission, 2020–Present
- Federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Standing Committee, 2014–2018 (Chair 2018)
- 10th Circuit Federal District CJA Representative, 2018–2020
- Colorado State Office of Judicial Performance, 2012–2021 (Chair 2019–2021)
Professional Memberships
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (1983-Present, Past President)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (National Legislative Coordinator for Colorado, 1987-1997)
- Denver Drug Court Advisory Committee (Probation Subcommittee, 1993-1996)
- American Civil Liberties Union – Colorado (Board of Directors, 1991-1995, Nominating Committee, 1994, Legislative Lobbying Committee, 1991-1995)
- American Bar Association, Chair of the Denver Subcommittee of the Criminal Litigation Committee (1996-1997)
- Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors (1994-1996)
- Lobbyist, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Legislature (1990-1995)
- Chairman, Legislative Action Committee (1990-1994, President-elect, 1992)
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (President, 1993-1994)
Board of Directors, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (1990-1992)
Teaching Positions
- Adjunct Faculty. University of Denver College of Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Trial Tactics
- University of Denver College of Law Evening Division Professor of the Year, 1993
- Instructor, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and University of Colorado College of Law Annual Trial Practice Institute, 1989-1997
- Internship Training Coordinator, Denver Public Defender, 1985-1987
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