Full Legal Defense coverage is part of your dues structure. The Denver FOP State Lodge Legal Defense Fund is partnered with the National Fraternal Order of Police Legal Defense Fund. Denver LDF provides coverage for all duty related administrative incidents. The National LDF covers all duty related incidents involving civil or criminal actions against the officer. The National LDF Plan has approved our Colorado Attorneys so members have direct access to high quality law enforcement legal representation.
When compared side by side with other plans the FOP legal defense plan is by far superior. It has no caps or limitations on duty related offenses that will financially burden a member. But an even bigger draw is the quality of attorney offered when it comes down to the defense of a law enforcement officer. That defense is viewed not only at an administrative level but more importantly at the civil and criminal level.
In today's world our profession is under attack from ill informed politicians, an anti-police biased media, and activists promoting a false narrative in regards to our interactions with the public. Our profession is unique and the legal problems officers find themselves in are even more unique. To successfully defend you it takes an attorney with experience and expertise in this specialized area of law to consistently provide adequate defense of a law enforcement officer. The fact of the matter is FOP has those attorneys. Proper defense and representation is where attorneys, whose practice specializes in the defense and representation of law enforcement officers, factors in.
The legal defense of law enforcement officers is a specialized area, and one that takes knowledge of our profession and the difficult legal issues officers at time find themselves in. Our LDF Attorneys are screened and approved based on their experience, knowledge and reputation in defending law enforcement officers. Unlike other Legal Defense Plans that you may find offered to law enforcement officers in Colorado, we don’t settle for just any attorney. Our plan approved attorneys have demonstrated extensive knowledge in the area of law enforcement officer defense. Our top law firms have years of experience defending officers in all of the complex areas this profession brings. They are thoroughly familiar with internal affairs investigations, use of force issues, and statutory issues involved when dealing with officer involved incidents.
Unlike some plans out there, the FOP Legal Defense Plan has NO hidden CAPS on the amount of coverage available for "Duty Related" incidents. This gives officers in the plan the peace of mind that they will be represented and protected without personal worry of financial obligation. We do not cap our attorneys, nor do we cap our coverage.
It is our experience that cheaper Legal Defense Plans that claim no caps on their coverage do cap the amount of reimbursement paid to their plan attorneys. The attorney is only paid to the cap amount. After that they can try and get a waiver for additional work, or begin charging the officer for continued coverage. Plans that operate that way almost always result in poor or limited representation for cases that involve extensive professional representation. Plans that subscribe to that practice do so to keep costs down thus reducing the rate an officer pays. Something they will never admit to and their something their bylaws do not reflect. However, like everything else in this world you get what you pay for. With FOP legal Defense you get the best legal defense plan bar none.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to file a claim, please review (click to link) "How to file a claim". In that section you will find instructions on filing a claim and obtaining competent legal representation from one of our plan attorneys.
Full Service & Critical Incident Attorneys -
(For *Critical Incidents* contact any one of the attorney's at the asterisked numbers listed below!!)
Nora Kelly: 303-866-9868
Jonathan Abramson (Kissinger & Fellman): 303-320-6100
Nathan Chambers & Thomas Mulvahill: 303-825-2222
Gerald Lackey (Colorado west slope only): 303-963-8708
Unlike all other plans Legal Plans available to peace officers in Colorado we have NO third party administrator that has to be contacted before you get an attorney!! Just pick an attorney from the list below and call their law firm directly. Let them know you are an FOP member in good standing and advise which lodge you are a member of. That's it!!! The attorneys will take it from there. Easy and simple with no third party delay.
The Colorado Legal Defense Plan partnered with the National Legal Defense Plan to provide the best legal defense option for our members. As a result the claims are processed internally depending on the initiating incident. All on duty incidents that could result in a disciplinary action against the member and/or civil or criminal action are processed initially by our plan attorneys.
If you have a situation covered by legal defense all you need do is contact one of our plan attorney firms and advise them you are an FOP member, what lodge you belong to, and that you need an attorney. All of the law firms contracted by the FOP are familiar with the terms and conditions of the FOP LDF Plan. You will be asked to give a brief synopsis of your issue. The law firm will handle the claim filing.
If you have any questions concerning the Legal Defense Plan, or need detailed information contact:
Colorado LDF Plan Administrator - JD Cordova
Cell phone # (970) 685-8000
Email: cofopjd@fop.net