Denise Frost represents the interests of her clients in federal and state courts in a wide range of cases including personal injury, divorce, and family law, business disputes, and civil rights litigation. She also has extensive trial and appellate experience as a criminal defense lawyer, defending clients accused of homicide, sexual assault, drug crimes, theft and money laundering, DUI, and other crimes. She has handled more than 90 civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts. Ms. Frost has received the prestigious Don Fiedler Award for excellence in criminal defense. She is the first female recipient of this award.
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Juris Doctor, 1988
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts, 1981
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Nebraska Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys President, 2013 – 2014 Board of Directors 2003 – 2015
Judicial Nominating Committee for the Nebraska Supreme Court, Third District 2023 – 2027
Nebraska State Bar Association Barristers Ball Planning Committee, 2006-2008 Committee on Budget and Planning, 2005-2007 Chair, Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, 1996-1997
Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Lindsey Miller-Lerman, 1998-1999 Nebraska Supreme Court and Nebraska Court of Appeals
Assistant Attorney General under Nebraska Attorney General Robert M. Spire, 1988-1991
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The NCDAA Don Fiedler Excellence in Criminal Defense Award 2014
The Don Fiedler Award is presented in recognition of “tireless dedication, boundless compassion, and battle-honed wisdom…in preserving the rights of the citizen accused.” Ms. Frost is the first female recipient of this award.
ADMITTED
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1993 United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, 1988 Nebraska Supreme Court, 1988
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
“Direct Examination” Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association 2023
“Appeals and Post Conviction Relief” Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association 2016 – present
“The Mildly, Moderately and Seriously Damaged Brain: Assessments in Criminal and Civil Cases” 2019 National Courts and Sciences Institute
“Neuroscience and the Law” 2019 Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Nebraska
“Suppression Issues” 2016 Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
“Appeals” 2015 Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association Criminal Law Boot Camp
“Pretrial Discovery of Exculpatory Evidence: The Ethics of Turning It Over” 4th Annual West Coast White Collar Crime Conference, 2014 National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
“Ethical Tips From the Front Line” 2013 Annual Meeting, Practical Ethics for Practical Lawyers IV panel presentation Nebraska State Bar Association
“Protect Yourself From Allegations of Misconduct” 2012 Annual Meeting, Practical Ethics for Practical Lawyers III Panel Presentation Nebraska State Bar Association
“Direct Examination” 2011 Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
“Tactical Use of Motions” 2009 Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association Also published as as article in Habeas Corpus magazine
“Avoiding Pitfalls in Defending Abuse Cases” 2007 Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
“No Holds Barred: Compelling Deposition Decorum, Effective Use of Motions in Limine and Other Pretrial Essentials” 2005 Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
“Dealing with Counsel for Discipline” 2004 Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
Ms. Frost has handled more than 90 civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts.