Kate Stimson is regarded as one of the leading criminal defense and trial attorneys in Colorado. In addition to criminal defense, her practice includes civil litigation, including advocating for the civil rights of individuals against governmental abuses of power and representing attorneys in attorney disciplinary matters. Kate has been a trial attorney for fifteen years, handling thousands of cases and taking more than 70 to trial.

Kate has a strong criminal defense background rooted in client-centered representation. Prior to entering private practice, Kate served as a Deputy State Public Defender for the Denver Trial Office and as an Assistant Federal Defender for the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the District of Colorado. She regularly handles complex criminal cases, including defending clients who are facing the death penalty, charged with homicide, sexual assault, or complicated federal crimes. Her focus in each representation is to drill down into the case and find the best way out, working closely with her clients to provide the best outcome possible.

Kate’s dedication to her clients is demonstrated through countless acquittals from juries on the most serious criminal charges; successfully litigating constitutional motions; and securing excellent results for clients through negotiation, investigation, and sentencing mitigation. She regularly resolves cases before charges are filed and through dismissals of charges. Her strategic and tireless advocacy was seen in her representation of a man facing the death penalty. She proved he had been previously wrongfully convicted and after opening statements the case ended in a plea – saving her client’s life.

Since she is known for her successful advocacy in the courtroom, Kate is often invited to teach trial skills to lawyers and law students, including at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. She was also an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and teaches attorneys at public defender systems nationally, as part of the Criminal Justice Act and the Faculty of Federal Advocates. She was named a Top Woman Attorney in 2014 by Colorado Law Week, Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, a Top Lawyer by 5280 Magazine in 2015 – present as well as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015 and a Super Lawyer since 2016. She was also named a Super Lawyers Top 50 Woman Attorney in 2021.