Richard Barahona

Every family law case begins at a crossroads, and Richard Barahona believes no one should have to walk through it alone or in the dark. Growing up in Aurora after moving from Inglewood, California, he saw early on how deeply legal uncertainty can disrupt a family’s sense of safety. That lived experience shaped his entire path. Driven to build a career in advocacy, he became the first in his family to graduate from college and law school, earning degrees in neuroscience and international affairs from CU Boulder alongside a Certificate in Public Health, before receiving the full-tuition Chancellor’s Scholarship for public service at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Richard grounded his career squarely in public advocacy. He clerked with the Meyer Law Office on immigration and defense matters, represented clients through the DU Immigration Law & Policy Clinic, and served as a municipal public defender in Aurora. Standing beside people during some of their most vulnerable moments taught him a foundational lesson: legal proceedings aren’t just technical exercises, they directly shape human lives and family stability. That deep trial background gave him both sharp courtroom instincts and a comprehensive understanding of how criminal and civil issues overlap in domestic relations.

Clients working with Richard find an attorney who pairs steady legal precision with genuine personal perspective. As a father raising a young daughter, he understands the quiet, late-night worries that keep parents awake when family dynamics shift. Whether he is guiding someone through custody allocations, parenting time, child support, or protective orders, Richard balances firm legal representation with deep personal empathy. Fluent in Spanish, he takes the time to slow things down, listen to the real story behind the case, and make sure his clients feel grounded, informed, and in control of their next steps.

What you might not know

Outside the firm, Richard’s life is anchored by family and community. A vegetarian for over twelve years, he serves on the board of Colorado People’s Action and spends his best off-duty hours with his daughter, whether they are reading in Spanish or taking care of their backyard chickens. So far, he has summitted eight of Colorado’s 14ers and completed the Colfax Marathon, and he still squeezes in French audio lessons on his daily commute.