The six nominees are:
David M. Couture
Mr. Couture is an attorney at the Office of the Municipal Public Defender in Denver, a position he has held since 2022. His practice consists of criminal defense. Previously, Mr. Couture was a Lead State Public Defender in Brighton (2008-2022). Mr. Couture earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in 2002 and his J.D. degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2007.
Vanessa M. Devereaux
Ms. Devereaux is a Senior Assistant Attorney General I and Project Manager of the Colorado Partnership for Education and Rural Revitalization (COPERR) at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, a position she has held since 2021. Her practice consists primarily of administrative and civil law. Previously, Ms. Devereaux was an Assistant Attorney General in Business and Licensing (2018-2021), an associate attorney at Messner Reeves LLP (2014-2018), and a Deputy State Public Defender in Alamosa (2013-2014). Ms. Devereaux earned her B.S. degree from the University of Denver in 2008 and her J.D. degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 2013.
Michael B. Garlan
Mr. Garlan is a managing partner at Meza & Garlan, LLC, a position he has held since 2022. His practice consists of criminal and civil law. Previously, Mr. Garlan was an associate attorney at Craig D. Johnson and Associates, P.C. (2018-2022); solo practitioner at the Law Office of Michael Garlan, LLC (2015-2018); and Deputy State Public Defender in Arapahoe (2010-2015) and Pueblo (2007-2010). Mr. Garlan earned his B.S. degree from the University of Colorado in 2003 and his J.D. degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2007.
Jennifer M. Hayden
Ms. Hayden is an Assistant City Attorney at the Aurora City Attorney’s Office, a position she has held since 2022. Her practice consists of criminal defense. Previously, Ms. Hayden was a law librarian at the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County (2021-2022); senior litigation attorney at Feldmann Nagel Cantafio PLLC (2017-2021); Deputy State Public Defender in Brighton (2014-2017); and founder and managing partner at Hayden Law Firm LLC (2011-2014). Ms. Hayden earned her B.S. degree from Northern Arizona University in 1999 and her J.D. degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2005.
Lara M. Jiminez
Magistrate Jimenez is a Magistrate for the City and County of Denver (2021-present). Her current docket consists of criminal matters. Previously, Magistrate Jimenez was an associate attorney at Front Line Law, LLC (2021-2022), a Deputy District Attorney and Senior District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (2013-2021), and a Deputy District Attorney for the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (2011-2013). Magistrate Jimenez earned her B.A. degree from Adams State University in 2006 and her J.D. degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 2009.
Joshua T. Nowak
Mr. Nowak is an Associate Attorney at McDermott, Stuart, & Ward LLP, a position he has held since 2021. His practice consists primarily of criminal defense. Previously, Mr. Nowak was a Deputy State Public Defender in Brighton (2016-2021). Mr. Nowak earned his B.A. degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2013 and his J.D. degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2016.
