Denver Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys

A Powerhouse for Appellate Justice in the

Rocky Mountain Region

Our Denver office provides a dedicated presence for the firm’s federal practice throughout the Mountain West, with a particular focus on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. While we handle federal criminal appeals in every circuit across the country, this office serves as a strategic base for navigating the nuances of the Tenth Circuit. As a dedicated post-conviction firm, Ordiway PLLC brings a winning record and specialized appellate expertise to cases involving complex federal legal and constitutional errors. We provide the high-caliber advocacy necessary to protect our clients' rights in the federal appellate system.

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With more than 100 years of combined experience in appellate law, we take advocacy to the next level.

What We Do

Our Practices

We are specialized appellate attorneys in the Mountain West. We aren't trial attorneys who dabble in appeals; we are career appellate litigators. As a former law professor, a former appellate chief, and a former high-court judicial clerk, our team brings elite credentials to Denver. With over 100 years of combined experience, we apply a deep scholarly understanding of the law to the distinct procedural standards of the Tenth Circuit. In a system that heavily favors the government, we have established a winning legacy.

Direct
Appeals

We provide rigorous appellate advocacy for clients convicted in federal courts in the Tenth Circuit and nationwide. Whether challenging federal trial or sentencing errors, we fight to reverse judicial mistakes made in courts across the Mountain West.

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Petitions for Review

When a federal circuit court denies relief, we petition the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari and review the critical legal questions in your case. We specialize in framing federal criminal litigation as matters of significant constitutional importance to secure the high-court attention your case deserves.

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Habeas Applications

We pursue post-conviction relief under 28 U.S.C. 2255, challenging confinement based on constitutional violations that occurred on and off the record. Our team investigates claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and prosecutorial misconduct to vacate unjust judgments entered in district courts in the Tenth Circuit and across the nation.

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Trial
Support

Our attorneys collaborate with defense teams in the Tenth Circuit to litigate complex motions and object to errors as they happen. By strategically preserving the record during trial, we build a safety net for our clients that strengthens any future appeal.

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Elite federal advocacy in the District of Colorado and across the Mountain West

Tenth Circuit Appellate Leadership

An appeal to the Tenth Circuit warrants more than a trial lawyer who dabbles in appeals; it demands a team of career appellate strategists. Our practice is led by Brett Ordiway, a former judicial law clerk and career appellate litigator. He is joined by Robert Udashen, a former law professor and distinguished defense counsel who has spent decades untangling complex constitutional issues. Completing the team is Lori Ordiway, a former Chief of a major metropolitan Appellate Division, whose prosecution background provides the tactical foresight to anticipate government arguments before they are filed.

Working to Right Wrongs

Brett Ordiway

Owner & Principal

Robert Udashen

Of Counsel

* Our Attorneys

Lori Ordiway

Of Counsel

Serving clients in the District of Colorado and throughout the Mountain West.

Strategically Positioned for the Tenth Circuit

Our Denver office serves as a dedicated hub for federal appellate litigation across the Rocky Mountain region. We are positioned to effectively manage cases at the nearby Byron White U.S. Courthouse and the Alfred A. Arraj Federal Building, providing our clients with aggressive representation right where the decisions are made.

The Tenth Circuit, headquartered right here in Denver, hears federal appeals from six states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. If you were convicted in federal court in any of these states, your appeal will likely be decided by the judges based in Denver.

Absolutely. The Eighth Circuit covers neighboring states like Nebraska, the Dakotas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Because federal appellate law is national in scope, our Denver-based team frequently handles cases in the Eighth Circuit, applying the same rigorous standards of advocacy we use in the Tenth Circuit.

The Byron White Courthouse isn't just a building; it's where the law for the entire region is interpreted. Having attorneys who are familiar with the specific local rules, filing standards, and judicial temperament of the Tenth Circuit judges can make a significant difference in how your brief is presented and received.

A Direct Appeal asks the Tenth Circuit to review the trial record for legal errors (like admitted evidence that should have been excluded). Post-Conviction Relief (often a 2255 Motion) happens after the appeal is lost; it involves introducing new information, such as proof that your trial lawyer failed to do their job properly. We handle both.

Yes. Colorado is home to a significant number of federal correctional facilities. We frequently represent clients currently incarcerated in these institutions, managing the complex logistics of attorney-client communication and legal mail to ensure you remain an active participant in your own defense.

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Practices

Our Team

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Colorado

Federal Criminal Appeals Attorneys