Some at the courthouse recognized him as the guy in the wheelchair. To those who knew him, Jim Covino was never defined by his disability. He was an individual who dedicated his legal career to helping the disadvantaged in their pursuit of justice.

          He began his legal career as a Deputy State Public Defender in the Denver trial office. He later served as a Denver District Court Magistrate and a founding board member of the Office of the Child’s Representative. As a private practitioner, he was a zealous advocate for the criminally accused, a strong voice for abused and neglected children, and a champion of the underdog. He was a mentor and a role model to new lawyers. In 2006, he was bestowed the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Gideon Award in recognition of his commitment to service of the indigent.

        On 2/19/11 Jim’s friends and wife Mary Ellen celebrated the life of a champion for children and the disadvantaged and raised monies for his daughter Alexandra’s college fund.