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About Kathryn
Biography
Kathryn Sheely is an experienced trial lawyer who helps men and women seek fairness and justice in the legal system.
At Colorado Lawyer Team, Kathryn brings her considerable legal writing and trial experience to individuals who want someone who can see the big picture while also obsessing over details that can make or break the case. She is at her best when faced with large amounts of data, scientific examinations, computer forensics, and other challenging evidence.
Kathryn worked as a state-wide death penalty public defender in Louisiana for over a decade, filing lengthy, technical motions protecting clients' Constitutional rights and looking out for violations of law and misuses of science that threatened her clients' lives. During her time in Louisiana, she represented more people being prosecuted for capital murder than the entire population of death row in some states, including Colorado, and she ended her tenure with no clients on death row. Notably, she won one of the only unanimous life verdicts ever given by a jury in Louisiana, in a case against one of America’s "deadliest prosecutors" according to Slate.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 7 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2018
No misconduct found
Licensed in Louisiana for 19 years
State: Louisiana
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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Kathryn Sheely's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
1 Client Review
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review
Posted by anonymous | September 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Criminal attorney
Kathryn Sheely is the worst when it comes to communicating! I left a message after message for her, had a relative send her emails, and text, but she is unresponsive! She’s not committed to defending a person especially when a person is wrongfully accused. She is not worth the amount of money she...
Kathryn Sheely's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have had the pleasure of working with Kathryn and it is not hyperbole to say that she is one the most ethical and client driven attorneys I have seen. She is a criminal defense expert and I have seen and experienced her diligence when working on cases and communicating with clients. I have personally used her criminal defense knowledge to assist family law clients. Her wide range of experience and unrelenting but intelligent advocacy helps her clients achieve the best possible results on their cases. I fully endorse Kathryn as a colleague and one of the sharpest legal minds."
Parul Yadlapati
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2005
CALI Award - Advanced Appellate Advocacy Seminar, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
2005
CALI Award - Law and Economics, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
2004
CALI Award - European Human Rights, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
2004
CALI Award - Constitutional Law I 002, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
2003
CALI Award - Legal Research & Writing § 005, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Criminal Defense Attorney, Colorado Lawyer Team
2019 - 2021
Attorney, Elkus and Sisson, P.C.
2018 - 2019
Attorney and Independent Consultant, Backup Counsel
2006 - 2018
Staff Attorney, Baton Rouge Capital Conflict Office
2005 - 2005
Law Clerk, Electronic Privacy Information Center
Associations
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
American Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Thomas, 54 So. 3d 1 (La. Ct. App. 2010)
State v. Patin, 95 So. 3d 542 (La. Ct. App. 2012)
State v. Coleman, No. 2014–KA–0402 (LASC 2016).
State v. Mickelson, 149 So. 3d 178 (La. 2014); second trial discussed at No. 50,940-KA (La. 2nd Cir December 14, 2016)
Animal cruelty charge - Colorado state court
Not Guilty
Allegation of child sexual assault - Colorado
No charges filed
Education
2006
Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center
B.C.L. - Bachelor of Civil Law
2003
The George Washington University
B.A., Economics
Speaking Engagements
2019
Seventh Applied Legal Storytelling Conference
She walked under the stone soldier: a case study in the use of narrative storytelling in pretrial litigation
2016
Deep South Capital Defense Conference
Challenging Conditions: Chaotic Courtrooms and Crazy Prosecutors
Publications
2014
14 Appalachian Journal of Law, Issue 1 (Winter 2014)
Avoiding Mock Trial by Ambush: A Trial Advocacy Competition Primer
2005
17 Pace Int'l L. Rev. 227
First Annual International Criminal Court Moot Competition: Best Memorial for Defense
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers