About the Job

Ready to try serious cases? The Denver District Attorney’s Office is hiring experienced attorneys to join our District Court felony trial divisions as Deputy District Attorneys. You will start on a felony docket, carrying your own caseload of felony cases from filing through verdict and sentencing in the state’s largest city, and working directly with victims, law enforcement, and community partners to make Denver safer and the justice system fairer.

This position is for attorneys with 3 or more years of relevant work history in Colorado who are ready to handle a felony docket from day one. If you have built your trial skills in a prosecutor’s office, a public defender’s office, or private criminal practice and want to put them to work on cases that matter, this role offers a high-volume felony trial practice and a collegial and supportive workplace.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple Deputy District Attorney positions in District Court.

Who We Are

The Denver District Attorney’s Office represents the people of the State of Colorado in the Second Judicial District. District Attorney John Walsh was elected by the people of Denver and leads an office of 300+ attorneys and staff combined.

Our mission is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado. We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

What You Will Do

Deputy District Attorneys are assigned directly to a District Court felony trial division and handle their cases at every stage of prosecution. Day to day, you will:

• Manage an active felony caseload in a District Court trial division
• Evaluate cases and make felony charging and filing decisions
• Handle advisements, preliminary hearings, motions hearings including suppression litigation, plea negotiations, and sentencings
• Prepare for and try felony cases to juries and the bench as first or second chair, including witness preparation, expert testimony, voir dire, and jury instructions
• Research and draft substantive motions, responses, and other pleadings
• Partner with Denver Police Department detectives, community agencies, and other criminal justice agencies to build strong, fair cases
• Support victims of crime and their families as they navigate the justice system, working alongside our victim advocates
• Consider and pursue diversion and alternatives to incarceration where appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested by the District Attorney

Where This Role Can Take You

DDAs join a District Court felony trial division. From there, experienced DDAs may pursue assignments in one of our specialty units, such as Organized Crime, Economic Crime, Domestic Violence, Child Violence, Cold Case, or Human Trafficking.

Salary

Salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

• Attorneys with 3 or more years of relevant experience will be hired as a Deputy District Attorney. Salary range: $104,615 – $169,873 annually.

Salary is paid on a bi-weekly basis.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified applicants must possess a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire, or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4, and 205.6. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Applicants must have at least 3 or more years of relevant experience practicing criminal law in Colorado, including jury trial experience.

Preferred Qualifications

We are looking for experienced trial attorneys who bring:

• Felony jury trial experience, preferably as a prosecutor, with a track record of trying cases as first chair
• Clear, persuasive legal writing and strong motions practice, including suppression and evidentiary litigation
• Sound judgment in charging and plea decisions, composure under pressure, and the ability to independently manage a high-volume felony caseload
• Thorough knowledge of the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Colorado Rules of Evidence, and the law of search and seizure
• The ability to communicate with empathy and respect with victims, witnesses, and community members from all backgrounds, and to work effectively with law enforcement and victim advocates
• Experience with, or a demonstrated interest in, prosecuting cases in areas such as homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, crimes against children, economic crime, organized crime, or human trafficking

Above all, successful candidates must demonstrate a firm commitment to both advancing justice and always maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must pass a background investigation prior to appointment.

How to Apply

Apply using the CDAC portal or send the following information to Chief of Staff Liza Willis at lcw@denverda.org. Applicants must provide:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position and your felony and trial experience
• A resume
• A trial list identifying the cases you have tried to verdict, including the charges, whether it was a jury or bench trial, and your role (first or second chair)
• A writing sample
• At least three (3) professional references

Applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Why Work for Us

You Will Be in the Courtroom

You will start on a felony docket. There is no County Court rotation to work through: after onboarding, you will be trying felony cases in District Court, with the support of your Chiefs and colleagues, and building the experience that leads to our specialty units.

We Invest in Your Development

Attorneys receive trial advocacy training, active supervisor feedback, mentorship pairing, and CLE support, along with opportunities to develop expertise for assignment to our specialty units.

Your Work Matters to Denver

Every case you handle affects real people: victims seeking accountability, defendants who deserve a fair process, and neighborhoods that deserve to be safe. As a DDA, you will see the direct impact of your work on the community you serve.

We Offer Excellent Benefits

The City and County of Denver offers generous benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Pension: a guaranteed lifelong monthly pension once vested after 5 years of service (DERP)
• Retirement savings: 457(b) retirement plan
• Time off: 132 hours of PTO earned within the first year, plus 12 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday per year
• Paid family leave: Care Bank, with 8 weeks of paid family leave for individuals who qualify for FMLA
• Health coverage: competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
• Commuting: free RTD EcoPass, including bus, train, and light rail
• Student loans: as a public service employer, the City and County of Denver may qualify employees for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Office Paid: Attorney registration dues, CLE funding, wellness/EAP programs

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

The Denver District Attorney’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other legally protected status.

If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview for this position, please contact David Laughlin at David.Laughlin@denverda.org.