Washington, DC (Sep. 23, 2025)– Three individuals were elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s Fall Board Meeting in Washington, DC. The Board Members below join those who are currently serving their terms on the NACDL Board of Directors.
Darlene Bagley Comstedt – San Francisco, CA
Darlene Bagley Comstedt maintains a solo criminal defense practice in San Francisco, California. Prior to that, she held the position of Special Counsel at Sideman & Bancroft, LLP in San Francisco; and, before that, she was an Associate at Ridley, McGreevy & Winocur, PC, in Denver, Colorado. She began her legal career serving as a Deputy State Public Defender in the Denver trial office of the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. In recent years, in addition to representing the indigent accused in state and federal court, she has also focused on clemency work. She served as Resource Counsel for Clemency Project 2014 and worked on many CP14 petitions as front-line counsel; she served as a consultant and member of the Advisory Committee for the NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project; and she served as Resource Counsel for NACDL's Trial Penalty Clemency Project. She has also served as a member of NACDL's Sentencing Committee since 2015.
Benjamin R. LaBranche – Denver, CO
Benjamin R. LaBranche has been a criminal defense lawyer and advocate for criminal justice reform since 2004. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas. Since 2020, Ben has been based in Colorado representing clients accused of various crimes in state and federal court. Ben was a Louisiana State Public Defender from 2004 to 2009 before opening up his private law practice and growing it into one of the top-rated firms in the state. After moving to Colorado, Ben worked for the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office in Adams County handling felony cases from arrest to trial. In 2022, he reentered private practice and became a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the District of Colorado. Ben also accepts appointments in Boulder Municipal Court representing homeless clients against criminal charges and assisting them in finding housing and other services. During his tenure as a defense attorney, Ben has obtained numerous acquittals for clients charged with drug distribution, firearm offenses, sex assaults, crimes of violence, and DUI/DWI charges. He has also helped many clients avoid life sentences by obtaining dismissal, acquittals, or negotiating pleas to lesser offenses. Additionally, Ben has litigated police misconduct issues that have resulted in excluding evidence obtained from illegal searches and excluding illegally obtained confessions and statements.
Erin Taylor – Charlotte, NC
Erin Taylor serves as of counsel at Womble Bond Dickinson LLP. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and her comprehensive white-collar defense practice includes guiding clients through all stages of litigation in federal and state criminal matters involving a wide range of claims, including allegations of fraud involving cryptocurrency and tech support. For over 15 years, Erin Taylor practiced in federal court as an Assistant Federal Defender for the Western District of North Carolina where she represented clients under federal investigation and charged with federal crimes. Recognized for her trial experience and leadership qualities, Erin was elevated to the position of Trial Unit Chief for the Charlotte Division of the Federal Public Defender. As the Trial Unit Chief, Erin effectively managed a full caseload while leading a team of trial attorneys and legal staff. She also served as a crucial liaison, fostering collaboration between the Federal Public Defender’s Office and key federal agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the U.S. Probation Office.
