After more than 20 years as a public defender, Sue Reynolds of Pueblo has gained the credit of a job well done. Her co-workers at the State Public Defenders Office in Pueblo and others turned out for a retirement party on Jan. 27 in Reynolds’ honor.

“She is the former hairstylist turned psychology major turned law school graduate, a dogged defender of the Constitution and, in turn, her clients, no matter what the circumstances,” is how Chieftain reporter Jon Pompia described Sue Reynolds.

Her early life’s experiences led to a University of Denver law degree, then a long career in the public defender office. She started in Brighton, defending county court misdemeanor clients, moved to Colorado Springs, where she defended district court felony cases, and finally to the Pueblo office, where she stayed for the past 16 years.

Public defender is a tough, sometimes unpopular job. But the good ones earn the appreciation of their indigent clients, as well as observers of the court scene. Reynolds said she found strength in the Constitution and the support of her office colleagues, whom she calls her “family.”

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.