Education
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, BA History. Member of the softball team for all 4 years, captain 3 years, All- ACC, 2nd Team All- Southeast Region, 3rd Team All-American. Go Heels!
J. D. California Western School of Law – San Diego, CA. Dean’s List, Honors Recognition for Scholarly Writing, Academic Achievement Award for Trial Advocacy.
Contracts
ADC Attorney, Expert, and Legal Researcher
CJA Attorney, Legal Researcher- District of Colorado, District of Washington, District of Alaska
Kelly Meilstrup
OWNER + ATTORNEY, 2ND CHAIR
2nd-Chair was born out of my experience with the law and love for professional collaboration. I have served as a criminal defense attorney for over 18 years, including 3 years as a Colorado Public Defender, where I tried over 40 misdemeanor or felony cases. My experience ranges from municipal matters to murder cases, including the management of high-stakes state litigation and complex federal prosecutions.
For Attorneys & Firms
I have a keen intuition for case dynamics and a knack for simplifying complex issues into straightforward, persuasive arguments. I believe in professional collaboration to provide the best possible defense for our clients. My goal is to be a valuable addition to your team—someone you can trust with your most challenging legal issues so you can delegate with confidence."
I provide focused support in the areas that require the most time and nuance, including:
Habitual Offender Challenges: Critical assessment and legal challenges of habitual offender allegations and sentence enhancements.
Data-Driven Sentencing Strategy: Analyzing sentencing data to provide objective conclusions for negotiations or court presentations.
Case Assessment & Opinion Memos: Detailed reviews of case files to identify strengths, weaknesses, and viable legal theories.
Sentencing Guideline Analysis: Comprehensive review of guidelines to draft persuasive sentencing arguments and formal objections to Presentence Reports.
For Those Seeking Direct Representation
While I often work behind the scenes for other law firms, I also directly represent a small number of individual clients. I bring my full experience and a direct, honest communication style to every case. My clients can count on a straightforward assessment of their situation and a confident defense in the courtroom.
Cases I handle:
Felonies and Misdemeanors: Full representation for state-level criminal charges.
Federal Prosecutions: Experienced defense for complex cases in federal court.
Habitual Offender Matters: Specific focus on cases involving prior strikes or sentence enhancements.
Sentencing Mitigation: Strategic work to reduce potential penalties and present the best possible case to the judge.