My Personal Story—and Why It Matters to You.

I’ve never taken a straight path to anything, and my journey to the law was no different. Growing up in rural northern Minnesota, I split my time between playing defense at the local hockey rink, acting in school plays, playing guitar in a band... and getting in a fair amount of trouble.

After three years studying Physics and Philosophy, I dropped out of college to travel, then headed to St. Louis to pursue music. After barely completing a degree I spent the next decade living in Chicago, fronting two folk‑rock bands with incredibly talented musicians.

I lived in some rough neighborhoods during those years. And saw more than a few shocking situations up close. It was a different kind of education, and it stayed with me. One night, I looked around the Gold Star Bar on Division Street and realized three of my closest friends were attorneys, and I started to suspect my calling was a different kind of performance: the courtroom.

I had witnessed people I knew and strangers experience injustice first‑hand, and I decided I wanted to be on the side that pushed back. So, from the moment I enrolled in law school, I was laser-focused on litigation and criminal defense.

I sought real-world experience in federal court, then took on greater responsibilities in state trial courts, followed by appellate work where I refined my research and writing skills. In fact, I was so focused on experience outside the classroom that I didn't realize I’d graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School until a classmate told me at the ceremony. I think I was supposed to purchase some kind of special cord for my hat.

My love for the outdoors then led me to Colorado, where I honed my skills as a trial attorney for the State Public Defender. For more than 14 years, I fought for clients accused of crimes across the Front Range, Southern Colorado, and the mountains.

I founded CDH Law Office to offer the kind of one-on-one, personalized attention that high-stakes cases demand.

Today, I live in Steamboat Springs with my wife and family. It took hard work and a healthy dose of luck to land on my feet. I never lose sight of the fact that life is unpredictable, and the line between a stable path and a difficult one is thinner than we care to admit.

I bring that perspective, passion, and a deep sense of gratitude to every client I serve.

So, why am I telling you all of this?

Right now, you might feel like your path has taken a hard turn. The legal system does have a way of making it seem as if a single moment defines your life.

You deserve a guide who understands that your story isn’t defined so narrowly. My job is to help you navigate through the court system with clarity, strategy, and steadiness—so you can take back your footing and protect what matters most.

Your story isn’t over. I’m here to help you land on your feet.