Martin Stuart’s practice is devoted to representing individuals accused of crimes in Colorado state and federal courts. Mr. Stuart defends clients facing all manner of criminal allegations, although his practice focuses on allegations of white collar fraud, sexual assaults, violent crimes, and drug conspiracies. Over the past nineteen years Mr. Stuart has tried in excess of 90 jury trials securing acquittals on charges from first degree murder to forgery to sexual assault on a child.
Mr. Stuart’s experience includes serving as president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, an appointment to the Governor’s Sentencing Commission’s Task Force on Incarceration, and chairing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar’s Policy Committee.
Mr. Stuart received his law degree from the University of Denver and began his legal career in 1997 as a Colorado State Public Defender, then in 2002 as a solo practitioner, from 2011-2015 he was managing partner with PortmanStuart, LLC, and in 2016 formed McDermott Stuart & Ward LLP along with Sean McDermott and Thomas Ward.
Mr. Stuart has represented clients in most jurisdictions across Colorado, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and in the United States Supreme Court.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Expeditors International – El Segundo, California (1993 – 1994)
Office of the Colorado State Public Defender (1997 – 2003)
Law Office of Martin Stuart, P.C. (2003 – 2011)
PortmanStuart, LLC (2011 – 2016)
McDermott Stuart & Ward LLP (2016 – present)
HONORS/DISTINCTIONS
- Best Lawyers in America: Criminal Defense (2019)
- Colorado Super Lawyers (2012 – 2019)
- 5280 Top Lawyers: Criminal Defense (2017 – 2018)
- Colorado Rising Stars, Super Lawyers (2009 – 2011)
- 10/10 AVVO
- Hoffman Cup Trial Advocacy Champion, University of Denver College of Law (1996)
EXPERT WITNESS QUALIFICATIONS
- People v. Quintero-Amador, 13CR259 (Arapahoe County District Court); qualified as an expert witness on criminal defense – October 21, 2014
- People v. Mendoza, 09CR1576 (Arapahoe County District Court); qualified as an expert witness on criminal defense – October 9, 2015
- People v. Gilbertson, 06CR1591 (Arapahoe County District Court); qualified as an expert witness on criminal defense and defense of criminal felony sexual assaults – January 6, 2016
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Board of Directors, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2005 –2010)
- Chair, Policy Committee, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2006 –2010)
- Member, Governor’s Sentencing Commission Incarceration Task Force (2009 – 2010)
- President, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2009 – 2010)
- Colorado Bar Association (1997 – present)
- Member, Denver Bar Association (2003 – present)
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003 – present)
- Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2003 – present)
- Member, Criminal Justice Act Standing Committee (2017 – present)
- Executive Committee Member, Colorado Bar Association, Criminal Law Section (2018 - present)
- Member, Bond Reform Task Force, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (2009 - 2010)
PUBLICATIONS?SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Presenter, “Challenging the Prosecution Experts in Sexual Assault Cases,” Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Seminar (2018)
- Presenter, “Cross-Examination,” Denver Public Defender’s Office Seminar (2014)
- Presenter, “Sealing Records,” Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association (2008)
- Presenter, “Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases,” Public Defender’s Annual Conference (1998)
