Criminal lawyers within 40 miles of Wheat Ridge Colorado

Vinny Iyer has always had a desire to learn a variety of different subjects, and has always had a passion for justice; both of these traits led him to the practice of law. Vinny went to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he received his Bachelor of Arts. While at Creighton, Vinny majored in music performance and theory, co-majored in political science, and completed the pre-medical program. After Creighton, Vinny attended the University of Nebraska – Omaha to study music composition where he learned counterpoint, orchestration, and advanced music theory. During this time, Vinny also played with his band while teaching music theory and guitar lessons. Eventually, Vinny’s passion lead him to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate. Additionally, Vinny completed the litigation skills program of concentrated study with a criminal emphasis. While enrolled in law school, Vinny Iyer served as a clerk with Atwood, Holsten, Brown, Deaver and Spier Law Firm. In this role, he primarily handled personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, which would later become his focus at Falgien Warr & Iyer, P.C. Upon graduating from law school, he worked as a senior analyst contract attorney, auditing foreclosure and mortgage procedures for a multinational bank. He then represented clients through his own contract defense firm and at Clear Creek Consulting, wherein he helped individuals and businesses resolve tax liabilities with Federal and State taxing authorities. Subsequently, Vinny was hired as an attorney at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC where he focused on personal injury cases. Vinny is a founding partner of Falgien, Warr & Iyer, P.C. where his primary focus is on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Additionally, Vinny is on the Board of Directors of the non-profit Ancova Empowerment Project, which is an organization designed to help young people who have faced behavioral, economic, or legal challenges to have positive and constructive experiences while gaining life skills and learning how to overcome obstacles to their success, mostly through the creation of art. http://www.ancovaep.org/ In his off time, Vinny likes to play guitar, stay involved with current events, keep up with the newest shows, hike, travel, and play with his dog Bandit.

Dave began his career as a prosecutor in the Denver District Attorney’s office. He then went to the US Attorney’s Office in Denver where he was the Coordinator for the Mountain States Drug Task Force as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force newly formed in 1982. In 1985, Dave was appointed by then Governor Lamm as the District Attorney for the First Judicial District of Colorado that includes Jefferson and Gilpin Counties. He was elected in 1993 and remained as the elected DA until 2005 when he was term limited. In 1987, Dave was appointed by Governor Romer to be the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. He held that position until he was elected District Attorney in 1993. During his tenure, he attended the Harvard University Executive Course for Senior Government Executives. Dave was the Executive Director of the District Attorney’s Council for three years in 2005. During that period, he was appointed by the Chief Judge for the Fifth Judicial District to be the Acting District Attorney in the Fifth Judicial District that includes Huerfano and Las Animas Counties. Dave joined Defense Attorneys Maureen O’Brien and Fred Bibik in 2008 where he practiced criminal defense until 2022. Dave joined with his daughter, Attorney Carrie Kollar, in October 2022 to January 2024. Dave’s background includes litigating sex crimes, DUIs, drugs, murder cases, crimes against children, felonies, traffic and financial crimes.

Butler, Landrum and Pierce, P.C. was formed over 30 years ago. Lynn Pierce has 28 years of experience. Ms. Pierce provides experienced and aggressive criminal defense. She handles criminal cases that include, but are not limited to, traffic offenses, domestic violence, drug possession and distribution, sexual assault, theft, robbery, burglary, and kidnapping. She also handles white-collar crimes such as tax evasion, mortgage fraud, embezzlement, bank fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and forgery. Ms. Pierce is licensed to practice law in Colorado, California, North Carolina, and Virginia. She is also licensed to practice in the Colorado Federal District Court.

Mr. Pearson has 30 years experience in business law, business management and consulting. He has received a Martindale-Hubbell top AV@ rating for attorneys and is President of Pearson & Paris, P.C., a prestigious Colorado law firm which emphasizes commercial transactions and litigation, real estate, banking, insurance and recreation law, and criminal defense. Mr. Pearson has an extensive background in business transactions and litigation and he routinely advises on matters related to both. He founded and is chairman of the board of RiverReach Youth Initiative, an organization that helps young people gain a sense of responsibility to their community and environment, rewarding participating youth with recreational outings. He holds a B.S. and Juris Doctorate degrees and lectures frequently in the areas of business and related liability issues including recreational liability. He is also a past contributing editor for Adventure Travel Business Magazine and the American Bicyclist. EMPLOYMENT AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS Founding Partner and President, Pearson & Paris, P.C. Founding Partner and President, Pearson, Horowitz & Burnett, P.C. The firm acted as general counsel for a variety of business clients on a regional, national and international level. Chairman and Founder, RiverReach Youth Initiative, a non-profit organization which provides outdoor recreational opportunities for disadvantaged population segments. RiverReach recently merged with another similar organization, cityWILD. Board Member, American Mountain Guides Association, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of American mountain guides by providing support, education and standards. Former Chairman of the Board and General Counsel, Adventure Travel Society, an international association which emphasizes the development of adventure travel and the economic benefits of eco-tourism. Former National Defense Counsel for Outfitters and Guides Insurance Program, The Connecticut Insurance Group (program was discontinued). Former Advisory Board of Trustees, American Wildlands, an international non-profit organization which emphasizes preservation of North America's natural resources. Former Board Member, Denver Rail Heritage Society, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to preserving historic rail travel in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, including operation of a trolley system. Former Advisory Board Member, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Springs, CO. Former Board Member and Founder, Alpenglow Mountainsport, Inc., a retail and wholesale supplier of equipment related to outdoor adventure and recreation. Licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker Certified Ski Instructor, emeritus status, Professional Ski Instructors of America Member: Denver and Colorado Bar Associations; Federal Bar Association, International Law Society; Colorado Real Estate Commission.

Mr. Carbonneau joined Pearson and Paris, P.C. in March of 2021. Mr. Carbonneau received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado Law School. During his law school tenure, Mr. Carbonneau focused on building his litigation experience. He interned for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Denver Office. There, he assisted both the trial and investigations teams in the detection of financial crimes and the prosecution of those crimes. After working for the SEC, Stephen worked for the Adams County District Attorneys Office where he appeared as a prosecutor in misdemeanor and traffic cases. After graduating law school in 2018, Mr. Carbonneau was offered a position with the Grand County District Attorney’s Office. In that role, Mr. Carbonneau was responsible for all aspects of prosecuting cases. He handled everything ranging from jury trials to motions hearings, bond hearings, appeals, and plea negotiations. In April of 2020, Mr. Carbonneau left his position with the Grand County District Attorney’s Office to start his own solo law practice. While thriving as a solo practitioner, Mr. Carbonneau broadened his expertise from criminal to other areas of law such as family law and landlord-tenant disputes. Mr. Carbonneau prides himself on his work ethic, attention to detail, and his ability to take complex legal theories and break them down into non-legal jargon, allowing clients to fully understand all aspects of their case. These skills allow Mr. Carbonneau to provide strategic legal representation which turns into positive results for his clients. Mr. Carbonneau is empathetic and passionate about the work he does for clients and makes sure his clients know that they have someone who is fighting for their best interests.

Wade has been an attorney since 1975 in the Denver, Colorado area. He graduated from Duke University with his bachelor’s degree, then moved to Denver in 1971 to attend Denver University’s Sturm College of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Wade immediately started his own firm and began helping individuals in need. Wade’s passion for helping people can be seen through his many years in the legal profession and also in his membership with the Bikers Against Child Abuse. He is currently a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, a graduate of the Colorado Trial Lawyers College, and the attorney for the Colorado Confederation of Clubs. Outside of work, Wade enjoys riding his motorcycle and attending community events.

Our firm has been fighting for the rights of the injured and disabled of Colorado since 1977. Tom Bulger has been a member of the firm (then known as Silvern Law Offices, PC) 1996 when he moved to Colorado here from Philadelphia, where he had worked for a large personal injury law firm. He is a graduate of Canisius College (honors in History, and International Affairs) and Rutgers University School of Law (1993). He has worked as a clerk for a United States District Court Judge and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in its criminal and Organized Crime Divisions. He has been successful as sole trial counsel and also before appellate courts. His record in jury trial includes verdicts for our clients of $640,000.00 (motorcycle accident), $160,000.00 (auto accident); and over $500,000 (slip and fall on ice in the mountains). Recently his appellate advocacy on appeal preserved a $470,000.00 judgment that he had won in Adams County in a slip and fall case. He has also obtained millions of dollars in quiet, confidential settlement for our clients, and has received a rating of 4.4 of 5 from the Martindale-Hubble peer review process (Distinguished) and 4.8 of 5 (Preeminent) based on client surveys. Tom has handled cases all over Colorado, from trials in the Denver Metro area (Denver, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Boulder, Lakewood, Littleton, Thorton and Broomfield) to the mountains. He is currently the managing member of the firm. In addition to his background in personal injury law, he has developed a strong employee benefit practice which focuses on long term disability, short term disability, medical (and other insurance benefits), and ERISA cases (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974). He has helped hundreds of Colorado workers obtain needed insurance benefits.

Mark E. Kraynak is an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Mark represents people charged with DUI/DWAI felonies, misdemeanors as well as lesser charges. Also, auto wrecks and personal injury and some general civil litigation.

I became a lawyer to pursue justice for my clients. We founded Springer and Steinberg so when someone is injured or needs the scales of justice to be balanced in their favor we use our considerable experience to get them the results they deserve. Over the years I've litigated hundreds of cases in the Denver area and throughout the country. I'm proud of what I accomplish for my clients and the tens of millions of dollars that I have recovered on their behalf.

Peter Menges received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1997. He also received a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1997, where he graduated cum laude. Mr. Menges spent his first five years of practice as a Trial Attorney with the Denver Office of The Office of the Colorado Public Defender. Mr. Menges opened The Law Office of Peter D. Menges, P.C. in January of 2003 and has been exclusively in private practice ever since. Mr. Menges has extensive trial experience. Mr. Menges has personally handled over a hundred trials. He has tried cases in Federal District Court, Colorado State District Court in numerous jurisdictions, County Court cases in numerous jurisdictions, Municipal Court matters in numerous jurisdictions, and Administrative Hearings in a number of forums. Mr. Menges has also handled Arbitrations and Mediations in civil cases. In the Federal Criminal Court context, Mr. Menges has successfully defended clients in many complex prosecutions for “white collar” cases, such as mortgage fraud, bank fraud, and computer crimes, as well as other complex cases such as large-scale drug conspiracies. In the State Court criminal context, Mr. Menges has handled cases and done jury trials for almost every type of charge ranging all the way from homicide cases to traffic offenses. In the civil context, he has handled a very wide variety of cases including general commercial disputes, personal injury cases, property disputes, contract disputes, mechanics liens issues, slip and fall cases, wage disputes, torts and civil rights. Mr. Menges has also done appellate work in courts ranging all the way up to the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Menges has served on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the United States District Court in Denver since 2003. He has lectured to hundreds of Colorado criminal defense attorneys on criminal defense law and procedure. He does pro bono work for those in need, and in 2004 was awarded the Colorado Lawyers’ Committee’s Community Contribution Award for his work fighting to secure the release of a formerly mentally ill patient who had been indefinitely committed to the Colorado Mental Health Institute after a “not guilty by reason of insanity” commitment.