Colorado’s Premier Criminal Defense and Rights Litigation Firm

Criminal Defense · Post-Conviction · Civil Rights

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Testimonials

“Mulligan, Breit and McConnell is the real deal. They truly care for their clients and customize the defense specific to the individual. We didn’t know Marshall, Patrick, or Luke before we engaged them but after more than two years of intense litigation, we consider then fantastic attorneys, miracle workers, and good friends.”

“My dad was in jail for a parole violation and was about to be sent back to prison. I begged Mr. McConnell to help us and he took the case. Luke got the parole board to see that my father was a real person and they released him. Thanks to Luke.”

“Patrick came highly recommended as a top lawyer who has a lot of integrity. He represented our son who was charged with Attempted 1st Degree Murder and was facing decades of mandatory prison. Our son was more than a case for Patrick and he fought for our son’s life, rights and his freedom. We would recommend Patrick to anyone. Patrick, thank you!”

“I retained Marshall Breit for defense of what seemed to be a hopeless case. I’ve never worked with a professional who’s more knowledgeable about Colorado law, Colorado case law, or more networked across the legal community-on both sides of the fence: with other defense attorneys, with bench judges or the DA’s offices. Ultimately, Marshall got my case dismissed. Marshall SAVED MY LIFE. ”

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Aggressive, Client-Centered Advocacy based on 50 years of collective experience.

We have spent our entire careers fighting to protect our clients’ rights. It is our calling. It is our highest responsibility. With more than 50 years of combined criminal defense and civil rights experience, we are uniquely positioned to handle the most serious and challenging cases. Our results speak for themselves.

Our firm philosophy and composition is unique. We are a small firm. We carry small caseloads by design. That allows us to be nimble, attentive, and extremely aggressive. Our select clients are “Firm” clients. We pool our collective knowledge, experience, and resources to obtain the best possible outcome in each case.

While we specialize in complex criminal and civil rights litigation – homicide, sexual assault, mental health, and domestic violence cases – we represent clients in all types of cases big or small. We are equipped to bring our expertise to bare in any matter involving your rights. We handle cases in every jurisdiction throughout Colorado, appearing in municipal courts, state courts, the court of appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, and federal court.

As the only firm in Colorado that focuses on each stage of the rights process, we have the unique skill set to provide a comprehensive approach to any case whether that is a pre-file investigation, trial court case, appeal, post-conviction or ineffective assistance of counsel (Rule 35c) claim, or civil rights matter.

What You Can Expect From Us

Extensive Criminal and Civil Rights Litigation Experience

We have tried hundreds of jury trials and secured countless not guilty verdicts on behalf of our clients throughout the state of Colorado. Through our appellate and post-conviction practice, we have had dozens of life and virtual life sentences overturned. We have also secured large and justified financial awards for our clients whose civil rights have been violated.

A Comprehensive, Multi-Tiered Approach

As a small firm that brings our collective expertise, skill sets, and resources to bare in every case, we can truly say we are unique. We have the tools to implement a comprehensive multi-tiered strategy that is second to none. Our connections within the Colorado legal community are extensive. We have long-standing relationships with the best and most respected experts. Leveraging these resources results in phenomenal outcomes for our clients time and time again.

Expertise in Mental Health

Mental health is an underlying factor in many criminal cases. Clients with mental health considerations are some of the most vulnerable in the criminal justice system. We have a personal commitment to these clients and a special aptitude in handling these cases. We understand how mental health impacts an individual’s actions, which is something that is often overlooked and ignored by prosecutors and judges. While mental health is complicated and often misunderstood, we are personally committed to helping these clients navigate the system and achieving the right outcome.

We handle all types of criminal cases, but our firm specializes in complex and high stakes cases, such as murder, sex assault, financial crimes, and domestic violence.

What We Do

homicide — Homicide

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domestic violence — Domestic Violence

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post-conviction litigation — Post-Conviction Litigation

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post-conviction-litigation

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Protecting Clients’ Rights at All Stages of the Judicial Process

Pre-File Investigation

Representing clients who are under investigation is some of the most important work that we do. Being charged with a crime is life changing: it impacts liberty, livelihood, employment, reputation, housing, and even relationships with family and friends. A police investigation does not mean that criminal charges are inevitable. With an aggressive and expert approach, law enforcement can be forced to back down. We know what the authorities are looking for and we know how to present the other side of the story. Through a defense-based investigation, witness interviews, preservation and analysis of evidence, polygraph examinations, and persuasive engagement with law enforcement, we routinely prevent criminal charges from being filed.

Trials

You are innocent unless the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt, to a unanimous jury, that you committed a crime. This concept is the foundation of the American justice system. We hold prosecutors and the police to the highest standards. We insist that they follow procedure and do their jobs correctly. We ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. In our 50 years of combined experience, we have achieved countless victories for our clients at trial. We have tried hundreds of cases and our litigation skills are well known by prosecutors throughout the state of Colorado. We have secured not guilty verdicts at trial on behalf of clients charged with First Degree Murder, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Financial Crimes, Drug Offenses, DUIs, and many other types of cases.

Appeals

If you are convicted of any crime, you have a constitutional right to an appeal or to have the conviction reviewed by a higher court. This is a critical right that should be exercised. Every year, numerous cases are overturned on appeal in Colorado. Unlike many criminal defense firms that only handle matters at the trial level, we specialize in criminal appeals. Our appellate success rate is well known. We have had dozens of cases overturned on appeal where our clients were serving life or virtual life sentences. The appellate process is complicated and riddled with time constraints. If you have been convicted of a crime, we urge you to call us promptly to review your case and ensure that the necessary deadlines are preserved.

Post-Conviction Litigation

Even if you have exhausted your appellate options, you may still have an opportunity for post-conviction relief. Founding partner Patrick Mulligan is considered one of Colorado’s leading authorities in complex Rule 35(c) and post-conviction litigation. He routinely serves as an expert witness in 35c / ineffective assistance of counsel proceedings. Our firm is one of only a handful in the state that pursues these claims and has a proven track record of having serious convictions overturned.

Civil Rights Litigation

Beyond the trial courts, we work to vindicate our client’s rights by filing civil lawsuits. We have successfully handled cases involving the excessive use of force by the police, unlawful arrest, and violations of the First Amendment’s protections on free speech. A civil lawsuit is sometimes the only way to compensate someone for harms caused to them and to push back against those who caused it, which is why we also use this tool to assist our clients.

We have the experience, the knowledge, and the resources to fight for your rights in the criminal and civil courts