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The Clinical Education Program welcomes Professor Ilan Friedmann-Grunstein as its new Criminal Defense Clinic Director.ÌýOriginally from Northern California, Ilan comes to the role with extensive experience as a public defender and a commitment to community‑centered advocacy. In the conversation below, he reflects on what drew him to criminal defense work and how that history is shaping his vision for the clinic.Ìý

What drew you to criminal defense work, and how has that shaped your approach to client advocacy?

The answer has changed a little over time, but what first drew me to criminal defense was knowing that I wanted a career where I could help others, especially people who are underserved or less fortunate. When I was in college, I thought I wanted to go into law, originally human rights law. A friend of mine, who is now also a public defender, recommended I look into some criminal defense work.

Around that time, I came across Bryan Stevenson’s work and then readÌýThe New Jim Crow. That really solidified things for me. I decided this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to dedicate my life to addressing mass incarceration in this country, especially the racial justice issues tied up in the system.

That motivation continues to fuel my work. Public defense can be incredibly difficult. Caseloads are large, the work is demanding, and sometimes it feels like you’re pushing a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down. Remembering why I chose this work in the first place, and thinking about the impact I’ve been able to have, helps keep me going.

Are you hoping to collaborate with the Korey Wise Innocence Project while you’re here?

Absolutely. I would love to work with KWIP, especially given everything happening around the Forensic Science Integrity Act in Colorado. Longer term, I envision the clinic offering a mix of direct representation and project‑based work, so students can choose from different kinds of experiences. That could include misdemeanor representation alongside policy‑ or systems‑focused work connected to forensic integrity. I think that kind of variety would be incredibly valuable for students.

What are your goals for the Criminal Defense Clinic, and how do you see students contributing to them?

Our number one goal is to serve the community in Â鶹ӰԺ and across Colorado by providing the highest quality representation possible. We want to give our clients representation that money can’t buy. Beyond individual cases, we also want to have an impact on practice and policy. That doesn’t always mean changing statutes or bringing major test cases. It can also mean influencing how criminal defense is practiced across the state and raising expectations for what high‑quality representation looks like.

Another core goal is making sure students are prepared to go out into their careers ready to be lawyers, no matter where they end up. That includes helping them understand the systemic issues around racial and economic justice that show up so clearly in criminal defense practice. I hope students leave the clinic with a strong awareness of those realities.

What will be your primary focus for the clinic this year and beyond?

This year, I want to start locally and build intentionally. That means focusing on direct representation in Â鶹ӰԺ municipal court. I think it’s important for students to begin with hands-on, local work where they can see the immediate impact.

Longer term, my hope is to expand the clinic’s reach and influence statewide. I want the clinic to help shape how judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other stakeholders understand their roles in the system. Ideally, that means shifting away from a primarily punitive framework toward one that actually seeks to help people.

There are also specific areas where I’d like the clinic to have a meaningful impact. Racial justice is obviously central. I’m also deeply concerned about how the criminal legal system in Colorado treats people with mental illness, and I see real opportunities for the clinic to engage in that space.

You’ve recently moved to Colorado. What do you enjoy most about being here, and how do you like to spend time outside of work?

I moved to Colorado in August of 2024. I work out of Colorado Springs but live in Castle Rock right now. What I love most about Colorado is the outdoors. My wife jokes that I’m becoming a total Colorado transplant stereotype.

I’ve gotten into climbing fourteeners with one of my coworkers, but more generally, I really value being able to get outside and spend time in nature. For me, sustainability as a public defender means disconnecting and recharging, and the outdoors is a big part of that. I’m pretty introverted, so getting into green spaces, being away from everything, and spending time in places that feel big and natural is how I reset. That’s probably my favorite part about living here.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in public defense or criminal law?

First, take the clinic. Even beyond that, get as much experience as possible being on your feet in court and meeting with clients one on one. That exposure teaches you how to do the work properly, but it also shows you just how challenging this work can be, which is important to understand before committing to it.

Talk to people who have done this work. I’m always happy to meet with students who are considering public defense, and I’m happy to connect them with career defenders as well. The biggest piece of advice I can give comes back to Bryan Stevenson’s idea of proximity. Making yourself proximate, not just physically but mentally, to the issues you’ll encounter in practice is critical.