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Dru Nielsen
About Dru
Biography
Clients and opponents alike point to Dru’s rare combination of gritty determination, professionalism, and trial prowess. Dru is recognized as a top criminal defense attorney for the results she has achieved for clients in pretrial criminal investigations, prosecutions, and trials. For nearly thirty years, Dru has fought relentlessly for her clients in what is often the worst times in their lives. She is committed to achieving results.
As a mother of two young men, Dru is particularly passionate about defending those wrongly accused of domestic violence and sexual misconduct. She has successfully represented clients in high-stakes litigation, including obtaining “not guilty” verdicts in multiple domestic violence murder trials. Dru also has an active white collar defense practice in federal and state court. In 2023, Dru became a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state. Fellowship is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy.
Dru’s recent representations include:
- Obtained an acquittal for the former CEO of a multi-national public company in a criminal antitrust indictment in United States District Court.
- Obtained acquittals for multiple clients charged with murder in the State of Colorado.
- Represented multiple clients charged with sexual assault, including convincing prosecutors to dismiss charges and obtaining not guilty jury verdicts.
- Obtained a dismissal after a precedent setting trial involving allegations of theft of cryptocurrency and money laundering resulted in a hung jury.
Dru’s hard work and litigation accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Dru was named Lawyer of the Year for White Collar Criminal Defense by Best Lawyers in America and was also given a Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Colorado. For the past ten years in a row, Dru has been named a Top 100 Lawyer and a Top 50 Women Lawyer by Colorado Super Lawyers. She has been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America. In 2025, Dru was recognized as a Top 10 Lawyer in Colorado by Super Lawyers.
Prior to private practice, Dru proudly worked for ten years as a Colorado State Public Defender in Colorado Springs and Denver trial offices. Prior to co-founding Nielsen Weisz LLC, she was a partner at Reilly Pozner LLP; Eytan Nielsen LLC; and Haddon, Morgan and Foreman PC.
Dru received her juris doctorate from the University of Colorado and her undergraduate degree with high honors from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Criminal Defense
100%
15 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 28 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
Nielsen Weisz
1800 15th Street, Suite 101, Denver, CO, 80202
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Dru Nielsen's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (6)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews
Posted by anonymous | September 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Dru Saved My Life
Dru has unmatched character, a keen legal mind, and a level of maturity she brings to every case that ensures each move is carefully calculated for the best possible outcome. My case was the hardest time in my life. I lost my job, many friends turned against me, and I was facing serious domestic ...
Posted by anonymous | March 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
So grateful for Dru
We hired Dru when our child was in trouble with the law at 18. Dru did an amazing job listening to our situation as parents, and also having our child (who was an adult) be her primary client as was appropriate. My child appreciated the way Dru was able to explain things clearly, offer options and ...
Posted by Pavel | October 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent attorney
Dru is wonderful person and excellent attorney. She is very sharp, pays attention to small details of your case. Her communication with client very timely and very supportive. I would recommend her to my relatives if they (god forbid) need criminal attorney.
Posted by Josh | February 01, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent caring and most knowledgeable
Dru Nielsen is an amazing person and attorney. She really cares about people and what is going on in thier life from being falsely accused. Her experience and knowledge as a criminal defense lawyer are unlike no other. She doesn't just take the easy way she gets in and finds out everything about th...
Posted by anonymous | September 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
Found Not Guilty On All Charges at Trial
Dru Nielsen is tenured professional and a law machine. I became Dru's client after having previous legal counsel not meet my expectations. I was falsely accused of Domestic Violence. However, It was not an easy case. The case was fought on all fronts, and all opportunities for solutions were purs...
Dru Nielsen's Lawyer Endorsements
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Experience
Honors
2025
Top 10 Colorado Super Lawyers, Colorado Super Lawyers
2025
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2024
Top Colorado Lawyers (Criminal Law), 5280 Magazine
2023
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2021
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2021
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: General Practice, U.S. News & World Report
2021
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: White-Collar, U.S. News & World Report
2021
Criminal Law: White-Collar, The Best Lawyers in America©
2020
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2020
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2020
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2020
Criminal Defense: White-Collar, The Best Lawyers in America©
2020
Top Colorado Lawyers (Criminal Law), 5280 Magazine
2019
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: General Practice, U.S. News & World Report
2019
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: White-Collar, U.S. News & World Report
2019
"Case of the Year" Award (Life Without Parole Clemency), Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
2019
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2019
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2018
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: White-Collar, U.S. News & World Report
2018
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2018
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2018
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2018
Best Law Firms for Colorado Criminal Defense: General Practice, U.S. News & World Report
2017
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2017
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2017
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2017
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2017
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2016
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2015
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2014
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Best Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America ©
2013
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Colorado Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
Colorado Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2010
Colorado Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
N/A
AV Rated "Preeminent", Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Partner, Nielsen Weisz, LLC
2022 - 2023
Partner, Haddon, Morgan & Foreman, PC
2015 - 2022
Partner, Eytan Nielsen LLC
2007 - 2015
Partner, Reilly Pozner LLP
1997 - 2007
Deputy State Public Defender, Colorado Public Defender's Office
Associations
2000 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association
Former Board Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
National Women's White Collar Defense Association
Member
2005 - 2007
Colorado Jury System Standing CommitteeMember
Education
1997
University of Colorado School of Law
J.D.
1994
University of California, Los Angeles
B.S., magna cum laude
Speaking Engagements
2020
NACDL Engage & Exchange
Co-Presenter (with Iris Eytan), "COVID-19 & Courts Reopening - Lessons Learned in Litigation"
2020
Eytan Nielsen Webinar
Co-Presenter (with Iris Eytan), "Let’s Talk About…Sex (Offenses) and Consent."
2020
Eytan Nielsen Webinar
Co-Presenter (with Iris Eytan), "Avoiding Party Pitfalls and Drug/Alcohol Offenses."
2020
Eytan Nielsen Webinar
Co-Presenter (with Iris Eytan), "Virtual Hookups, Social Media & Bullying."
2019
DU Sturm College of Law
Presenter, "Sex, Booze, and the Law"
2014
University of Colorado School of Law
Presenter, "Character & Fitness in the Bar Admission Process"
2010
.
Presenter, "Using Technology and Demonstratives in the Courtroom"
2009
Colorado Bar Association CLE
Presenter, "Effective Technology in the Courtroom"
Publications
2021
KOAA News5 Southern Colorado
Quoted, "'A Slap in the Face:' Accomplice in Kelsey Berreth's Murder Has Three-Year Prison Sentence Thrown Out"
2020
2020
2019
2017
Languages
English