David C. Japha

Over his more than three decades of practice, David Japha has earned a reputation for resolving difficult and complex matters, sometimes being the second or third lawyer to take on a case. David has tried many criminal and civil cases to conclusion and argued numerous appeals, post-conviction cases and cases involving mental health issues. He also currently represents clients in federal and state administrative matters, including ongoing matters before the Consumer Products Safety Commission. David got his start in litigation before leaving the University of Denver College of Law, where he tried his first DUI case in state court through a program called the student law office. He also negotiated settlements and argued his first administrative appeal before the Social Security Administration in the winter of 1984, before his law school graduation in May of that year. Soon after starting out, David shared office space with his current partners, Don Jacobson and Daniel Levin at Ptarmigan Place. There he learned law office management hanging out his shingle and doing evictions, collections and court-appointed federal criminal cases. And, it was there, in federal court, that David truly cut his teeth in criminal defense litigation, culminating in his appointment to the Criminal Justice Act committee (which oversaw the appointment of conflict counsel in federal court) by then-Chief Judge Richard Matsch. Over 30 years of practice has given David the opportunity to be involved in some amazing cases, including taking depositions in Katmandu, Nepal in a complex criminal case in 1991; representing a witness in the trial of Timothy McVeigh (where David was also a credentialed reporter for the Intermountain Jewish News); handling criminal matters in Nebraska, Kansas and California and appearing in Washington State. David has been an expert witness for the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Regulation Counsel in the area of attorney fees for court appointed counsel. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees David C. Japha included in a Super Lawyers® list Other Sources of Feedback About David C. Japha Included on the 2026Colorado Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2024 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2023 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2022 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2021 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2020 Colorado Super Lawyers list 2019 Colorado Super Lawyers list

• Member

• Hale v. Morris, 725 P P.2d 26 ) Colo.App., Mar 27, 1986 (NO. 84CA0276)
• U.S. v. Jackson, 248 F.3d 1028, 2001 DJCAR 2210 (10th Cir.(Colo.), Apr 30, 2001) (NO.99-1475)
• U.S. v. Bustillos-Munoz, 235 F.3d 505, 2001 CJ C.A.R. 164 (10th Cir.(Colo.), Dec 15, 2000)
• U.S. v. Young, 45 F.3d 1405 (10th Cir.(Colo.), Jan 19, 1995) (NO. 93-1343)
• Merrit v. Hawk, 153, F.Supp.2d 1216 (D.Colo., Jun 29, 2001) (NO.CIV.A.95-Z-2653)
• U.S. v. Perez, 902 F.Supp. 1318 (D.Colo., Oct 12, 1995) (NO.CIC.A. 95-CR-19-S)
• U.S. v. Reece, 797 F.Supp.843 (D.Colo., Jun 24, 1992) (NO.CRIM. A. 91-CR-276).

• Colorado, 1984
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado

• Standing Member, Criminal Justice Panel, District of Colorado, Appointed by Chief Judge Matsch, January, 1996.