About Attorney Ryan Brackley
Meet Ryan W. Brackley, Attorney at Law
Ryan W. Brackley is an accomplished criminal defense lawyer based in Denver, Colorado and admitted to practice law in New York and Colorado. He is known as a strong advocate and a skilled negotiator who provides high-quality legal representation that is tailored to each client’s unique circumstances and goals.
Whether you are involved in an investigation, are in custody subsequent to an arrest for alleged criminal conduct – including Economic Crimes, Assault and Battery, Sexual Assault and Rape, Robbery, Burglary, Narcotics related crimes, Grand Jury investigations or Murder/Homicide – or nearing trial, there is no substitute for experience, advocacy, and knowledge. Armed with the foundation of nearly 30 years of service as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Trial and Homicide Divisions, at the Colorado Attorney General’s Major Case Unit, and as the Assistant District Attorney in both Boulder and Denver, Ryan Brackley will guide you through what may be an intimidating and unfamiliar legal process.
Mr. Brackley has a unique perspective on how police and prosecutors think, how they investigate their cases, and what is needed to overcome suspicion of any type of criminal charge, whether during the investigation stage or after an arrest. This insight and experience is a significant reason why he achieves favorable outcomes for his clients, even those facing the most serious criminal charges. This experience is amplified by his connections with top investigators, criminal and civil litigators, and forensic experts throughout Colorado and the United States.
While serving as a prosecutor, Ryan Brackley was named the Colorado District Attorney’s Council 2013 Prosecutor of the Year for his work across Colorado assisting other prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in homicide trials and investigations. His prior success as a prosecutor, and now as a defense attorney, has long been recognized by his peers on both sides of the criminal courtroom. To that end, Mr. Brackley naturally utilizes his skills, resources and connections both in and outside the courtroom when advocating on behalf of clients.
Most importantly, Ryan Brackley listens to his clients and their families and supporters, gets to know them on a personal and professional level and works incredibly hard for them – never giving up until every question has been asked, every argument has been made and every stone overturned toward providing the best criminal defense for each client.
Mr. Brackley has handled cases in New York City, Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, Weld, Logan, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit, Hinsdale and Broomfield Counties, Castle Rock,
Colorado: 2004
United States District Court,
District of Colorado
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
- Colorado Juvenile Defense Resource Center
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
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Denver Police Department
- Police Chief Selection Committee
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Denver District Attorney Community Outreach Program
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Denver District Attorney Citzens Academy
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Colorado District Attorney Council
- Member, Executive Board
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Colorado Cold Case Review Team
- Statewide Chair, Application Committee
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Colorado Cold Case Task Force
- District Attorney Representative appointed by Colorado Director of Public Safety
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CDAC/Attorney General Best Practices Committee
- Member
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Boulder County Leadership Academy
- Mentor
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University of Colorado Athletic Department/District Attorney Task Force
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Town of Nederland
- Police Chief Hiring Board
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Colorado Department of Public Safety
- CBI Director Hiring Committee
University of Colorado- Denver
University of Denver School of Law
Colorado District Attorney Council Annual Fall Conference
- Major Case School
- Felony Prosecution School
- Annual Legislative Update to Law Enforcement
Denver Police Academy
Denver Police Department
- Citizen’s Academy
National Prosecutors Best Practices Committee
Community/Neighborhood/School Meetings
Federal Bureau of Investigation/Department of Justice
- Hate Crimes Seminars
National Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Symposiums on Indigent Defense and Violent Crime
Leadership Denver
Boulder Police Department
- Citizen’s Academy
- Basic Investigator Course
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
- Citizen’s Academy
Longmont Police Department
University of Colorado Police Department
Colorado State Patrol
University of Colorado – Boulder, School of Law
University of Colorado Athletic Department
Boulder County Institute of Public Service
University of Denver, School of Law
Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Counsel
Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney’s Association
Innocence Project
- Eyewitness Identification Reform Symposium, Yale Law School, 2016
Colorado Association of Law Enforcement Trainers
Colorado Coroners Association
Ryan Brackley Story
Ryan W. Brackley was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his law degree from Brooklyn Law School.
Mr. Brackley served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan (New York County) District Attorney’s Office from 1991 to 2004. At the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, he handled investigations and prosecutions of every type of criminal case – including Economic Crimes, Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape, Robbery, Burglary, Narcotics related crimes, Grand Jury investigations and Homicides. He also served as the Criminal Court (Misdemeanor Court) Supervisor and Deputy Bureau Chief of the Trial Division. Ryan finished his career in Manhattan as the Senior Trial Counsel in the Homicide Investigation Bureau, focusing on drug-related cold case homicides.
After moving to Colorado in 2004, Mr. Brackley worked briefly in the private sector at the law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck before returning to criminal justice practice at the Colorado Attorney General’s statewide Homicide Assistance and Major Case Unit. He has also worked in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Arapahoe/Douglas Counties) as a Senior Deputy District Attorney, where he was assigned to a capital murder case and several cold case homicides.
Ryan was the First Assistant District Attorney in the 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Boulder County from 2009 to 2017, and most recently the top Assistant District Attorney in the 2nd Judicial District in the City and County of Denver.
As a prosecutor, Ryan Brackley was the chairperson of the Statewide Cold Case Review Team, and in 2013 was chosen by the Colorado District Attorney’s Council as the Colorado Prosecutor of the Year for his work across the state and in Boulder County focusing on complex cases, murder investigations and trials.
Mr. Brackley has handled cases in New York City, Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, Adams, Arapahoe County, Hinsdale and Broomfield Counties, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Pueblo, Alamosa, Delta, Gunnison, and Grand Junction, and has lectured on Criminal Justice issues throughout Colorado and the United States. He has made numerous local and national media appearances, including Dateline (NBC), 48Hours (CBS), The Hunt with John Walsh (CNN), Tales from the Morgue and Forensic Files (TruTv).
Ryan lives with his wife and family in Denver. He is an avid cyclist and competitive mountain runner and has completed mountain ultramarathons all over the Western US.
Previous Positions
- 2nd Judicial District, Assistant District Attorney, January 2017 – August 2019
- 20th Judicial District, Assistant District Attorney, January 2009 – January 2017
- 18th Judicial District, Senior Deputy District Attorney, March 2007- December 2008
- Colorado Attorney General, Major Crimes Unit, September 2005-March 2007
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, January 2005 - August 2005
- New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney, September 1991 - June 2004