Barrie Newberger King
Owner | Managing Attorney
Barrie is skilled in all areas of criminal defense, having practiced in Southwestern Colorado for over a decade. She first spent almost eight years in the Four Corners as a Deputy Public Defender, then Senior Deputy Public Defender, before starting her own practice. During her time at the public defender’s office, she was County Court Supervisor and Juvenile Court Supervisor. She has represented clients in all levels of criminal cases in the 22nd and 6th Judicial Districts, including DUI, assault, murder, drug possession, arson, theft, fraud, and sexual assault.
In 2018, Barrie was asked to be one of a handful of juvenile defense representatives on the statewide Improving Youth Outcomes Taskforce formed by former Governor Hickenlooper. The IYO Taskforce developed proposed legislative changes, which were eventually passed in 2019, to better serve children involved in the juvenile delinquency system. Barrie is certified by the National Juvenile Defender Center (now The Gault Center) as a trainer in their nationally-renowned training model, the Juvenile Training Immersion Program.
Barrie is the current president of the Board of the Southwest Colorado Bar Association and was formerly the president of the Board of Riverhouse Children’s Center.
Barrie graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center where she was Note Development Editor for the American Criminal Law Review and a member of the Criminal Defense and Prisoner Advocacy Clinic. She has worked for the Federal Defender Program in Chicago, Illinois; the Alexandra Public Defender’s Office in Alexandria, Virginia; the Advancement Project in Washington, D.C.; and the American Bar Association’s Death Penalty Representation Project, also in Washington, D.C.
Barrie graduated with her B.A. in Comparative American Studies from Oberlin College, where she was also an Academic All-American in Track and Field and nationally ranked in the 1500 meters.
Originally from Appalachia, Barrie now calls the bigger mountains of Colorado her home with her husband, a third-generation Durangoan, and their son.
Hillary Bernhardt
Associate Attorney (starting February 2, 2026)
Hillary grew up in Maryland, but got to Colorado as soon as she could. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in May of 2015, then attended University of Colorado Law School earning her J.D. in 2020.
While at University of Colorado Law, she served as the Vice President of the Class of 2020, completed the Public Service Pledge, and participated in the Colorado Appellate Advocacy Competition. She worked as a Student Attorney with the Immigration and Criminal Defense Clinic, where she assisted in the representation of indigent clients on immigration and criminal defense matters. She interned with several other public service initiatives, such as Boulder County Legal Services and the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
After law school, Hillary moved to Durango to be closer to the mountains and to be a part of a thriving small town community. She has experience in family law, civil law, and criminal defense.
In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her rescue dog and snowboarding, roller skating, mountain biking, rock climbing, crafting, and backpacking.
Michelle Speer
Paralegal
Michelle is a paralegal specializing in criminal defense, supporting attorneys through all stages of criminal proceedings. She has worked in Texas, North Carolina, and Colorado, and brings a strong background in case management, legal drafting, and client communication in fast-paced and high-stakes matters. Michelle assists with all aspects of litigation while also serving as a consistent point of contact for clients.
In addition to her criminal defense experience, Michelle has a background in family law, which enhances her ability to work with clients navigating emotionally complex and sensitive situations. She holds a Master’s degree in American Legal Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Liberty University.
Originally from Kernersville, North Carolina, Michelle enjoys reading, crocheting, baking, cheering on Texas A&M football, and spending time with her boyfriend, Caleb, and their dog, Winston.