Washington, DC (July 27, 2021) – At its annual meeting on July 24, 2021, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented its Champion of Justice Legal Award to the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender for its pioneering commitment to training. The award was presented by NACDL Immediate Past President Christopher W. Adams to Colorado State Public Defender Megan Ring and Training Director Jennifer Ahnstedt, who accepted the award on behalf of the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. NACDL Past President and current NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice President Lisa M. Wayne as well as NACDL Past President Larry Pozner, both of whom previously practiced at the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, also spoke during the presentation of the award.
"I could not be more thrilled to present NACDL’s Champion of Justice Legal Award to the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender," said NACDL Immediate Past President Christopher W. Adams. "This office has long known the incredible value to clients and lawyers of the centrality of quality professional training. The logo of the Office reads ‘that justice escape none.’ And the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender knows well that the best way to fulfill that mission is by providing the kind of excellent training for which it is known throughout the nation, and beyond. NACDL applauds them."
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender explains its commitment to training on its website: "Since its creation, the Colorado State Public Defender System has placed training at the center of our commitment to excellent criminal defense for our clients. Our thorough, innovative and rigorous training has made our system a national model among indigent defense agencies. All of the training our lawyers receive proceeds from the non-negotiable belief that our clients are the center of our practices; that positive, respectful and meaningful relationships with our clients are central to our success as their advocates against the government; and that our clients deserve not just a defense, but the best, most informed and skillful defense we can give them, regardless of the charges."
