Dan Shaffer has spent his entire adult life working with people facing serious challenges. He began in psychiatric facilities for children and later worked in group homes, day treatment programs, and street outreach in Eastern Iowa. Over more than 11 years of helping kids and families in crisis, Dan learned to be a good listener, to remain nonjudgmental, and to recognize that everyone is different, regardless of circumstances. He developed a talent for identifying people’s positive qualities and helping them use those strengths to address serious problems.

Dan thought that practicing law might be different but he quickly realized it was not. Today, as an attorney in Western Colorado, he helps clients facing some of the most serious legal challenges. He has represented individuals accused of everything from simple traffic offenses to complex decades long criminal schemes, including multiple sex offenses and long term imprisonment cases. Dan works in both State and Federal Courts in Western Colorado, often helping clients navigate cases that span multiple jurisdictions.

When clients face overwhelming charges or evidence, Dan assembles a top tier defense team from the outset of a case to maximize their chances of a favorable outcome. He understands that being charged by the State or Federal government can be intimidating, especially given the resources available to prosecutors, and he ensures clients never feel alone in that fight.

Early in his career, Dan recognized that a law degree alone does not make someone a skilled attorney. He has consistently pursued advanced training to become a true advocate. In 2010, he attended the National College for Criminal Defense (NCDC) in Macon, Georgia, where he learned the “theory of the case” method, a framework that reshaped how he approaches investigations, negotiations, and trials. Over the years, he refined this method to fit his practice and personality, achieving outstanding results in both negotiated pleas and trials.

Dan later attended the Trial Lawyers College in 2021 after being inspired by a friend who completed the three week program in 2020. He continued his professional development through workshops, including a regional voir dire workshop in February 2022 and the “Defense of the Damned” program in Montgomery, Alabama, which focuses on serious criminal defense cases. These programs allowed him to work intensively on jury selection, closing arguments, and case themes to move jurors on behalf of his clients.

Encouraged by the advice of prominent attorney Rafe Foreman, Dan applied to Stetson University School of Law’s LLM program in Advanced Advocacy in 2022. He recognizes the difference between being an attorney and being an advocate, and he is committed to being the best advocate possible for clients facing serious legal charges.

Today, Dan continues to participate in Trial Lawyers College workshops and is actively pursuing his LLM in Advanced Advocacy at Stetson University, even in his early 50s. He encourages anyone to learn from his experiences and see how they guide his approach to representing clients.