MICHAEL A. KILBOURN
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic litigation attorney with extensive experience in criminal defense, civil rights, and appellate law, complemented by two decades of federal leadership in high-stakes government contracting and dispute resolution. Proven ability to navigate and resolve complex legal challenges under pressure, highlighted by a notable post-conviction clemency case resulting in a sentence commutation of over 100 years. Recognized as a published legal scholar with in-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks, evidentiary analysis, and strategic advocacy. Eager to leverage these skills in an associate attorney role to further develop civil litigation expertise within a sophisticated practice environment.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Attorney
Johnson & Klein, PLLC
Boulder, CO
10.2023 - Current
- Handle criminal defense and civil rights litigation matters in state and federal courts
- Conduct discovery, draft trial- and appellate-level motions and memoranda, and prepare cases for trial
- Perform client interviews, factual investigations, and evidentiary analysis
- Obtained executive clemency resulting in a sentence commutation exceeding 100 years
Legal Defense Project
Denver, CO
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Performed legal research and crafted novel approaches to resolving complex legal issues
- Drafted filings in the representation of activists facing criminal prosecution
Legal Intern
Spero Justice Center
Denver, CO
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Researched case law and Colorado Criminal Procedure Rule 35 history; drafted a memorandum informing prosecutors of their authority to waive the rule’s successiveness provisions
- Conducted legal and factual research supporting a postconviction clemency application through final edits for the Colorado Governor’s review
Summer Legal Intern, Racial Justice Program
American Civil Liberties Union (National)
New York, NY
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Supported active criminalization-of-poverty litigation; drafted a response to a motion to intervene and mooted attorney ahead of oral argument
- Examined the Georgia parole system and documented findings in a legal memorandum; drafted a request for public records under state law
Legal Extern, Appellate Division
Office of the Colorado State Public Defender
Denver, CO
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Drafted state court appellate documents, including Opening Briefs, Answer Briefs, Reply Briefs, and Petitions for Certiorari
- Authored an entire Opening Brief that, after minimal editing, was filed with the appellate court
Legal Extern / Legal Researcher
Johnson & Klein, PLLC / Castle & Castle P.C.
Boulder & Denver, CO
10.2020 - 12.2021
- Conducted legal research, witness interviews, and client intake evaluations across hundreds of potential and active cases
- Obtained and examined court, media, and legislative materials relevant to death penalty law; evaluated precedential and persuasive rulings
Branch Chief / Unlimited Contracting & Agreements Officer
United States Air Force – Space Systems Command (and prior assignments)
06.2006 - Current
- Serve as the government’s decision-making authority, with an unlimited warrant, on contract disputes, claims, terminations, and compliance matters involving more than $10 billion in technically complex national security programs
- Interpret and apply complex statutory and regulatory frameworks (FAR, DFARS, 10 U.S.C. 4021-23) to resolve disputes, assess legal risk, and structure defensible outcomes
- Advise senior military and civilian leadership on liability exposure, evidentiary sufficiency, and dispute resolution strategy
- Collaborate with engineers, auditors, investigators, and government counsel to evaluate causation, damages, and expert-driven technical issues
- Nearly two decades of progressively senior contracting, compliance, and leadership roles across multiple commands and deployed environments
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Denver, CO05-2023
MBA - Human Resource Management
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX12-2017
B.S. - Management / Computer Information Systems
Park University
Parkville, MO07-2015
Skills
- Client counseling
- Contract drafting
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Fact development
- Strategic analysis
- Detail-oriented
- Independent self-starter
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Pro bono representation
BAR ADMISSIONS & PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
- Bar Admissions: Illinois (Attorney Registration 6355626)
- District of Columbia (Bar ID 90021290)
- Colorado (Bar License 60168)
- Federal Credentials: Unlimited Contracting & Agreement Officer Warrants
- DAWIA Contracting Level III
- Certified Federal Contract Manager (NCMA)
- TS/SCI Security Clearance
Timeline
Associate Attorney
Johnson & Klein, PLLC
10.2023 - Current
Legal Defense Project
01.2023 - 05.2023
Legal Intern
Spero Justice Center
08.2022 - 12.2022
Summer Legal Intern, Racial Justice Program
American Civil Liberties Union (National)
05.2022 - 08.2022
Legal Extern, Appellate Division
Office of the Colorado State Public Defender
01.2022 - 05.2022
Legal Extern / Legal Researcher
Johnson & Klein, PLLC / Castle & Castle P.C.
10.2020 - 12.2021
Branch Chief / Unlimited Contracting & Agreements Officer
United States Air Force – Space Systems Command (and prior assignments)
06.2006 - Current
B.S. - Management / Computer Information Systems
Park University
MBA - Human Resource Management
University of the Incarnate Word
Juris Doctor -
University of Denver Sturm College of Law