Mark Burton
Mark Burton is a lifelong Colorado resident. Born to British parents, he grew up in Colorado Springs and also spent a considerable time in Britain. During law school at the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver and for three years after receiving his degree, Mark worked for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office. He opened his private practice in Denver in 2002.
Mark focuses his practice primarily on criminal defense and civil rights. He represents clients throughout Colorado (and occasionally outside the state) in both federal and state courts.
Mark is passionate about his practice and compassionate in representing his clients. His devotion to defending individuals accused of crimes and freeing those wrongfully convicted spans more than two decades. In addition to providing representation in criminal matters, Mark also handles civil cases, including situations involving civil rights issues.
Mark’s pursuit of justice goes far beyond Colorado. As the United States lawyer for Simón Trinidad, a Columbian political leader imprisoned in Colorado since 2008, Mark is a central figure in the U.S. campaign to secure Trinidad’s release and repatriation to Columbia. In 2017, he led a delegation that met with political officials throughout Europe. International efforts to free Trinidad center on his importance in the Colombian peace process, which EU nations support.
Mark recently filed a petition, along with a Paraguayan and an Argentinian lawyer, with the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on behalf of political prisoner Carmen Villalba Ayala in 2022. Carmen is being illegally held in a Paraguayan prison in an arbitrary manner. It is hoped that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will investigate her case.
In 2007, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar awarded Mark with the Gideon award, named for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainright. The annual award recognizes the top pro bono attorney in Colorado. Mark’s award is inscribed: Presented to Mark Burton for remarkable effort to fulfill the promise of Gideon v. Wainwright and dedication of advocacy on behalf of the poor.
His nomination for the Gideon award resulted from Mark’s representation of Shareef Aleem, a free speech activist and cop watcher who faced a criminal charge of second-degree aggravated assault on a police officer. After the first trial ended with a hung jury, Mark and attorney Tom Carberry (who also received the award) secured acquittal for Aleem in the retrial. Mark also represented Shareef Aleem in a contempt charge that arose out of the first trial. Shareef Aleem was held in contempt for wearing a t-shirt with writing. Mark appealed the case to the Colorado Supreme Court, winning Shareef Aleem’s freedom.
Mark’s devotion to justice extends beyond the courtroom. He is active in a number of important organizations committed to economic and social justice, including the Alliance for Global Justice, the National Lawyers Guild, the United States Peace Council, and the Denver Peace Council.
Mark and his family live in Denver. Together, they enjoy the abundant recreational and leisure activities opportunities the city offers.
Education
- University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., 1999
- Colorado College, B.A., 1986
Bar & Court Admissions
- Colorado Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz, Bogotá Colombia
Honors & Awards
- Recipient of the Gideon Award from the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, 2007
Professional Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Lawyers Guild
Board of Directors
- Denver Peace Council
- Alliance for Global Justice
- United States Peace Council
