Bailey Lazzari spotlights rural defense and judicial independence in Wyoming interview

Lander criminal defense attorney Bailey Lazzari is featured in a Cap City News interview that examines rural legal practice in Wyoming and her push to preserve the state’s judicial nominating commission. The conversation also highlights her career path, case results, and statewide civil rights and defense work.

Why it matters: - Rural defendants in Wyoming can face longer travel distances, limited access to counsel and court-specific local practices that affect outcomes. - Lazzari’s interview puts attention on judicial independence, a system she argues helps keep judges focused on law rather than political pressure. - The piece also underscores how small-firm defense lawyers can shape criminal defense and civil rights work across the state.

What happened: - Cap City News published an interview with Bailey Lazzari, founder of Lazzari Legal in Lander. - The interview covers her criminal defense and civil rights work across Wyoming’s municipal, state and federal courts. - The conversation traces Lazzari’s move to Fremont County for a six-month trial assignment in 2017 and her decision to remain in Lander. - Lazzari opened Lazzari Legal in 2017 after graduating from the University of Wyoming College of Law. - The interview also discusses her service on the board of the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, the state’s largest voluntary legal organization.

The details: - Fremont County covers more ground than Connecticut, which Lazzari cites as one example of the geographic challenges facing rural defendants. - Lazzari said rural practice means distance, limited access to counsel and each courthouse’s culture can shape results for defendants outside Wyoming’s largest cities. - She grew up around Chicago courthouses with her father, which she said gave her an early view of how law can help people through difficult moments. - Lazzari earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Metropolitan State University. - She graduated cum laude from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2017. - Lazzari said she wanted to build a workplace that supports both staff and clients. - Lazzari Legal has resolved more than 1,000 cases since its founding. - The firm holds a 4.9-star Google rating. - Lazzari was named a Rising Star by the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association in 2023. - She received Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award in 2022, 2023 and 2025. - The National Trial Lawyers selected her as one of its Top 40 Under 40 criminal defense attorneys. - Lazzari also teaches other attorneys at events including the Wyoming State Bar Association Annual Meeting, the WTLA Annual Conference and the Solo, Small and Rural Law Forum. - Her case work has also been covered by WyoFile and Cowboy State Daily. - Lazzari Legal focuses on DUI, drug offenses, traffic citations, assault and domestic violence charges, protection orders, restoration of rights, juvenile offenses and game and fish violations. - The firm serves clients throughout Wyoming, with a focus on Fremont, Sweetwater and Carbon counties. - More information is available on Lazzari Legal's LinkedIn profile.

Between the lines: - The interview positions judicial selection as a practical defense issue, not just a political or institutional one. - Lazzari’s comments suggest that in rural systems, access and geography can matter as much as legal arguments. - Her emphasis on staff culture points to a client-service model built around high-stress criminal matters.

What's next: - Lazzari is likely to continue using her WTLA board role to defend Wyoming’s merit-based judicial nominating process. - Lazzari Legal appears positioned to keep expanding its statewide defense and civil rights footprint through courtroom work, training and public visibility. - The interview may increase attention on rural defense conditions and on how Wyoming selects judges.