Lindsay believes everyone deserves to have their story told.
Lindsay Bendell began her career as a Licensed Social Worker and Mitigation Specialist for the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, where she honed her skills of rapport building, client assessment, systems advocacy, and persuasive report writing. In 2020, she started Community Justice Services, where she provides mitigation, release and treatment planning, supportive services, consultation, and case management services to aid in criminal defense cases.
Lindsay has been featured as a presenter for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the National Legal Aid and Defense Association. She has provided CLE training for attorney organizations across the country and helped found Solutions for Achieving Fast, Effective Response (SAFER), to address homelessness in suburban areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Through her mitigation work, Lindsay has assisted in obtaining freedom for numerous clients across the United States. Her true passion lies in ensuring clients have a voice in telling their own life stories.
Defense But Deeper
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work
In Progress
Washington University of St. Louis
Research Focus: Non-Capital Mitigation
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
2018
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Specializations
Certificate in Mitigation Training
2020
National Alliance for Sentencing Advocacy and Mitigation Specialists
Certificate in Forensic Social Work
2020
National Organization of Forensic Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
2020
State of Colorado
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
2014
University of Central Florida
Why a Forensic Social Worker?
The National Organization for Forensic Social Work said it best:
"In the 21st century the complex social issues such as mass incarceration, necessitate that we use an integrated approach that incorporates clinical, policy and community organizational skills to build the capacities of individuals, families, and communities to address them.”
As a Forensic Social Worker, Lindsay has specialized training pertaining to assessment, diagnosis, community connection, treatment, and ongoing evaluation for individuals experiencing legal issues and litigation- both civil and criminal.
Why is Mitigation important?
There is always a reason behind an individual’s actions. Understanding a client’s motivations and background is crucial in defense representation. Mitigation is paramount in understanding the human experience and what has happened in an individual’s life to bring them where they are today. The goal of mitigation is to view the person as a whole rather than by their worst moment, and a Clinician is specifically skilled in eliciting a more profound response from a defendant through their clinical training.