James J. L. Ahern

James is an experienced and skilled trial lawyer. Prior to joining Susan Fuller & Associates, P.C., James was a Deputy District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District in El Paso County, Colorado. As a former deputy district attorney, James has extensive trial experience. While working as a deputy district attorney, James successfully handled and tried numerous felony and misdemeanor cases including, but not limited to, First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, First Degree Arson, Vehicular Homicide, Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, First and Second Degree Assault (Crime of Violence), Cultivation and Possession of Marijuana, Felony Eluding, DUI/DWAI, and countless Domestic Violence cases.

In addition, as a deputy district attorney, James held the position of Arson Liaison for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office and was a member of the vehicular homicide and vehicular assault team.

Since joining Susan Fuller & Associates, P.C. James has focused his practice in all areas of family law, criminal defense, personal injury, and representing victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. In this capacity, James has successfully handled numerous complex and high asset divorce matters. In addition, James has handled and successfully defended numerous clients with charges including, but not limited to, DUI/DWAI, Assaults, various domestic violence and other misdemeanor crimes, juvenile criminal matters, Sexual Assaults, Burglary, and other serious felony crimes. James has also successfully assisted numerous clients who have sustained personal injuries where he has obtained over a million dollars in civil settlements for his personal injury clients.

In each year since 2014, James has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association for inclusion into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 which is an elite group consisting of the top 40 trial attorneys from the state of Colorado who are younger than the age of 40.  Membership into The Top 40 under 40 Association is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a young trial lawyer.

In 2017 and 2018, James was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association for inclusion into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Lawyers for Criminal Defense, which is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as criminal defense trial lawyers.

In each year since 2016, James has been selected for inclusion into the Super Lawyers Colorado Rising Stars list.  Inclusion into the Super Lawyers Colorado Rising Starts list is an honor that is limited to no more than 2.5 percent of the attorneys within the State of Colorado who have demonstrated excellence in the practice of law.

James completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Denver where he graduated Cum Laude and With Distinction. He then attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2010. James presently resides in the Douglas County, Colorado area with his wife, Brittany, and their three lovely children.

Testimonials and Endorsements
"I hired James Ahern to represent me in a misdemeanor criminal defense matter in early 2013. His previous experience as a deputy district attorney was invaluable to me as he shredded the prosecution's case during the hearing. Case dismissed! James was knowledgeable, quick, passionate and very articulate in my defense during our legal proceedings. I felt James genuinely cared about me and a positive outcome. His performance and professionalism far exceeded my expectations. I enthusiastically recommend James Ahern for those in need of an effective criminal defense attorney. Thank you so much James! I can finally get on with my life." - Gary, a criminal defense client

"I hired Mr. Ahern as my divorce attorney. Mr. Ahern was always right there when I needed help. He was advising me on how to handle those extremely different divorce situations that were brought on me by my ex-husband. He was very persistent, confident, and knowledgeable throughout my divorce process, and he assured me from day one that everything would be fine. He fought for me so hard that at the end, I finalized my divorce with a really nice settlement, in which, he made sure to pay attention to every little detail that would benefit me financially. I highly recommend Mr. Ahern as your divorce attorney, or as your criminal defense attorney"! - Loretta, a divorce and criminal defense client

"James is truly one of the best and brightest. James is on my short list of lawyers who I contact when I need expert advice. He cares about his clients, knows the law, and is masterful in the court. I can recommend James without any reservations." - Daniel Noffsinger, Divorce Attorney

"Mr. Ahern is one of the best attorney's I know. His professionalism and knowledge of the law are impressive. I would hire him personally if I was in trouble with the law and needed an advocate. He is an attorney who truly cares about his clients. He has my endorsement." - James Newby, Criminal Defense Attorney