John Galligan, Appellate and Trial Attorney

About John

John found criminal defense early. In law school, he interned at the Colorado Springs Office of the State Public Defender in 2011 and worked in the Criminal Defense Clinic. After graduating, he joined the Denver Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, where he spent more than a decade handling everything from traffic offenses and misdemeanors to sexual assaults, homicides, and grand jury indictments under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA).

Late in his public defender career, John found a second passion: post-conviction work. He sharpened his research and writing, authored appeals, and became the attorney other lawyers call with hard legal questions. John’s attention to detail and desire to provide the utmost best representation for his clients shows in his work.

In his spare time, John can be found visiting with family in Arizona or Michigan or in the mountains snowboarding with friends.

Trial and Courtroom Experience

John has been lead attorney or co-counsel on more than 50 cases that went to trial, from misdemeanors to homicides. This number grows year over year as we continue to exercise our client’s right to trial. John certainly is no stranger when it comes to jury trials.

Practice Focus

At DeChant Law, John handles criminal defense, driver’s license matters at the DMV, and post-conviction work. He gives people a second chance by drafting direct appeals, correcting illegal sentences under Crim. P. 35(a), and litigating ineffective assistance of counsel claims under Crim. P. 35(c).

Education and Bar Admissions

1. 2014

   Colorado

   Admitted to practice in Colorado, 2014.

Memberships and Recognition

• Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• SuperLawyers Rising Star, since 2025
• Member, National College for DUI Defense
• Alternate Defense Counsel contractor