Our Legal Team
Melanie Sedlak
Owner & Lead Attorney
Melanie’s practice focuses on criminal defense litigation, juvenile defense, and family law matters. In her 24 years as a practicing attorney, Melanie has litigated thousands of cases in courts across Colorado – including sexual offenses, first degree murder offenses, organized drug and gang crimes, sexual offenses against children, violent crimes, domestic violence crimes, economic crimes, and complex family law matters.
Maria Liu
Attorney and Trial Consultant
Maria Liu specializes in criminal defense and post-conviction relief. She is committed to ensuring that individuals accused of crimes are afforded fair treatment, respect, and the legal and constitutional protections guaranteed to them. In addition to her private cases, she represents indigent clients as a member of the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel.
Christopher H. Gehring
Legal Researcher/Attorney Apellate Consultant
Christopher’s practice focuses on research & writing. He specializes in writing motions and handling appeals. In his twenty-five years as an attorney, he has handled dozens of appeals in the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado Court of Appeals. He has also litigated myriad cases in trial courts across Colorado—including complex criminal, civil, juvenile, and family law matters.
Christopher clerked for the Honorable Terry N. Trieweiler (Montana Supreme Court). He then practiced law for four+ years: first at Holland & Hart (Denver), and then at the Colorado State Public Defender (Appellate Division). From 2002-2009, he was a professor at the Sturm College of Law (University of Denver). Since 2010, he has practiced law as a solo practitioner (Gehring Law Firm, Ltd.).
Christopher’s primary experience involves representing individuals facing prosecution by the government. Most notably, from 2010-2019, he litigated a complex death penalty case—until the Governor commuted the sentence. He regularly and frequently handles a variety of research & writing projects for Melanie Sedlak, thereby enhancing her practice and benefitting her clients.
Christopher firmly believes that all people must be zealously represented; and he uses his excellent research & writing skills to successfully litigate criminal and civil cases.