Counsel

Mr. McKee is a nationally recognized litigator and lecturer on forensic science evidentiary issues. Mr. McKee is the former Special Counsel to the Director of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), where he served as a senior advisor to the Director and all other divisions of PDS regarding potential challenges to forensic evidence. In addition to his advisory and supervisory roles, Mr. McKee served as lead or special counsel in cases involving complex forensic issues, as well as maintaining his own personal caseload of homicide and sexual assault cases. While at PDS from 2000 until 2009, Mr. McKee represented hundreds of clients before both trial and appellate courts in the District of Columbia.

Mr. McKee has litigated cases involving challenges to DNA, Firearm Toolmark Patterns, Fingerprint Patterns, Arson evidence, Sexual Assault Injuries, Forensic Pathology, Toxicology, Drugs/Narcotics evidence and Breath Alcohol Detection, as well as various other forensic disciplines and evidence. A natural teacher, Mr. McKee excels at clearly communicating complex concepts about scientific evidence to judges and juries during pretrial and trial litigation. Additionally, the many attorneys with whom Mr. McKee consults value his unique ability to help them in understanding the forensic issues in their cases and how to successfully leverage that knowledge to achieve positive results for their clients.

Prior to joining PDS, Mr. McKee served as an Assistant Public Defender in DeKalb County, Georgia, where he spent three years handling a wide range of trial and appellate cases before State and County courts. Since 1997, Mr. McKee has tried over 75 jury trials in Georgia, Colorado and the District of Columbia.

Mr. McKee co-founded Forensic Defense Strategies, LLP, a legal consulting firm based in Boulder, Colorado that assists criminal defense attorneys with understanding and litigating forensic evidence in their cases. Mr. McKee is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado School of Law, where he teaches Advanced Evidence, specifically focused on forensic science issues, and directs the Appellate Advocacy Clinic.

Mr. McKee's practice focus is criminal matters that involve scientific and technical issues. In addition, Mr. McKee is available to assist on civil and administrative matters that call upon an expertise in scientific and technical matters. Mr. McKee brings his extensive knowledge of expert issues and litigation experience, as well as meticulous preparation, to all depositions, hearings, trial and appellate litigation.

Throughout his career, Mr. McKee, who attended both Law School and Seminary, has been admired as a tireless and passionate advocate for each individual client both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Education

J.D., M.T.S, Emery University, 1997
B.A., Religious Studies, History, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1992

State Bar Admissions

Colorado
Georgia (Inactive)
District of Columbia (Inactive)

Admitted to Practice

U.S. District Courts:

• District of Colorado