ABOUT IRIS
Iris Eytan of Eytan Law LLC is one of the leading Colorado lawyers practicing in high-profile criminal defense litigation. She is well known as an aggressive Denver lawyer and for her unrelenting pursuit of justice.
As a highly experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney, Iris has brought more than 60 cases to trial. She has also obtained nearly impossible results in high stakes cases. In April 2022, in People v. Barry Morphew, she obtained a dismissal of the wrongful and false charge against Mr. Morphew of Murder in the 1st Degree. After a year of intensive and complex litigation, Iris and her team uncovered egregious prosecutorial misconduct that resulted in the monumental result.
In 2020, Iris’ tireless work led to the exoneration of Micah Kimball after a two-week jury trial during Covid. Mr. Kimball was falsely accused and charged with Murder in the 1st Degree. In the 10 months leading up to trial, Iris discovered that the Denver prosecutors withheld the expert opinions of both the Deputy Director of the Crime Lab and the Lead Homicide Detective that Mr. Kimball’s fiancé’s single gunshot wound was self-inflicted. The Judge sanctioned the prosecutors for their misconduct.
In 2017, Iris’ work in the jury trial of Tom Fallis caught the attention of the national and international media. Mr. Fallis was wrongfully charged with the murder of his wife. Along with their legal team, Iris secured an acquittal by jury in this highly publicized case.
Iris’ practice is focused on expert consultation and expert testimony in criminal cases and consulting on plaintiff’s civil and criminal defense litigation. Iris has been accepted as an expert in state and federal court on legal issues of competency, criminal procedure and criminal defense practice. Over the past three decades, Iris has been in front of thousands of potential jurors, and participated in numerous mock trials. Iris has a track record of successfully leading teams in strategizing, trying, and winning high stakes cases.
Iris Eytan is a frequent lecturer, expert and consultant on issues applicable to criminal law and litigation techniques. For many years, Iris has been invited to speak before judges, lawyers, doctors, national conferences, bar associations and universities on these topics.
Iris has a burning desire to work on policy issues related to reforming the criminal legal system. She recently co-presented at UPenn’s 2024 Quattrone Center for Fair Administration and Justice Symposium from Anguish to Action on the Elimination of Prosecutorial Absolute Immunity. Iris was also appointed to the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys Task Force on Prosecutorial Accountability. Iris held one of the most visible volunteer positions in Denver law as the former Chair of the Colorado Lawyers Committee. She was elevated to this position after years of pro bono advocacy and leadership as an Executive Board Member and leader of multiple legal task forces.
Other Work
PEP
Iris recently established a new project, Protect Ethical Prosecutors (PEP), that has 501(c)(4) status. PEP’s arm, Protect Ethical Prosecutors Foundation is pending its 501(c)(3) status. PEP’s mission is to elevate ethical prosecutors while reforming laws around the country that will put a stop to rampant prosecutorial misconduct.
Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC
Iris is “of counsel” for Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC one of the most well respected Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination Firms in Colorado and United States. Iris assists with their cases as needed, conducting trial work, trial and jury consulting, and other case work on behalf of Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC.
Iris and the lawyers at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC share a mutual respect for each other’s legal skills and work. The two benefit from each other’s skills as attorneys, and support each others practices through a partnership between themselves and their firms.
EDUCATION:
● University of San Diego, J.D., 1994
● University of Arizona, B.A., with honors, Psychology, 1991
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
● The Best Lawyers in America, Colorado Criminal Defense: General Practice, Top
Lawyers in America (2020-Present)
● 5280 Top Lawyers (2015-2024)
● Top 50 Women Lawyers in Colorado, Colorado Super Lawyers (2012-2023)
● Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers (2006-2007, 2009-Present)
● Best Lawyers in America© – Criminal Defense: General Practice (2011-2024)
● Barrister’s Best “Best Criminal Defense Lawyer” Law Week Colorado (2019-2020)
● Team of the Year (Jail Wait Litigation), Colorado Lawyers Committee (2019)
● Top 100 Lawyers in Colorado, Colorado Super Lawyers (2014-2023)
● Rated 10.0 Superb, Avvo (2013-Present)
● Best Law Firms, Tier 1, Colorado Criminal Defense: White-Collar, US News &
World Report (2016-2023)
● Best Law Firms, Tier 1, Colorado Criminal Defense: General Practice, US News &
World Report (2016-2024)
● Barrister’s Best People’s Choice, Best Criminal Defense Lawyer,
Law Week Colorado (2020)
● Team of the Year Award, Jail Wait Litigation Team, Colorado
Lawyers Committee (2017, 2019)
● Top 100 Trial Lawyer, American Trial Association
● Top Woman Lawyer, Law Week Colorado (2008)
● AV Rated 5.0, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review (2005-Present)
AWARDS:
● Past Chair Award, Colorado Lawyers Committee (2018)
● Raising the Bar Honoree, Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation (2017)
● Award of Special Recognition, Colorado Lawyers Committee (2013)
● Community Contribution Award, Colorado Lawyers Committee (2005)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
● Protect Ethical Prosecutors, Founder 2022-
● National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Task Force on Prosecutorial Accountabiilty, 2024
● Colorado Lawyers Committee, Executive Committee, 2012-Present
● Colorado Lawyers Committee, Executive Committee, Chair, 2016-2018
● Colorado Lawyers Committee, Co-Chair Criminal Justice/Mental Health Task Force
● Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Board Member, 2013-2017
● Colorado Women’s Bar Association Member, 2017-present
● National Criminal Defense Forum on Forensic Mental Health & the Law, Co-Chair with NACDL, 2013
● Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Member, 2011-present
● National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008-present
● 18th Judicial District Mental Health Court Project, Legal Co-Chair, 2008
● Department of Human Services Competency Committee, Legal Task Force, 2006
● Capitol Hill Community Services, Board Member, 2005-present
PRIOR EXPERT TESTIMONY:
● December 2018, Sanchez v. Detectives Duffy and Mykes, 11-CV-01945,
Criminal Defense Expert in Criminal Competency
