SPD Training Division

Colleen Cullen

Director of Training & Development
(608)-266-6782
[email protected]

Colleen Cullen has dedicated her career to indigent defense, with experience spanning public defense, clinical teaching, and legal training. Colleen began her career as an Assistant State Public Defender in the Milwaukee Trial Office, where she represented clients in numerous jury trials and handled extensive motion practice, plea negotiations, and sentencing advocacy. She later served as a contract attorney with the Colorado State Public Defender and as the Lasch Clinical Teaching Fellow in the Criminal Defense Clinic at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Most recently, Colleen was the Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Law at Drake University Law School, where she trained and supervised law students representing indigent clients in criminal cases and developed practical, client-centered training for future defenders. Colleen is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where she participated in the Criminal Defense and Prison Advocacy Clinic. During law school, Colleen participated in externships with the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C., the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

A Milwaukee native, Colleen takes great pride in her Wisconsin roots and is honored to continue her work supporting public defense in the communities that shaped her. In her spare time, Colleen enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs. They especially love traveling and trying new restaurants.

Amaresh Srikanthan

Training Coordinator
(608) 264-8570
[email protected]

Amaresh Srikanthan is the SPD Training Coordinator. A graduate of NYU School of Law, he began his career representing children and adults as a staff attorney for the New Hampshire Public Defender. He came to SPD in 2023 and began working as a trial attorney in the Madison Trial office. In addition to his responsibilities as Training Coordinator, Amaresh also represents adults in criminal trial proceedings, with a focus on major felonies.

Amaresh has previously served on the board of the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was a member of its Committee on Systemic Racism, where he led Know-Your-Rights classes for citizens and activists. Amaresh has presented numerous trainings for defense attorneys throughout Wisconsin, and has led out-of-state trainings for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
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Amaresh lives with his wife, son, and dog on the east side of Madison. In his free time, you can find him playing music, practicing yoga, and reading.

Brodee Schwarm

Staff Development Program Specialist
(920) 214-5889
[email protected]

Brodee has been with the SPD since 2012, where she started in the Rhinelander office and then transferred to the Appleton office where she spent 4 years as a legal secretary. In 2016, Brodee became the ROA of the Fond du Lac region where she was able to work closely with support staff and conduct training throughout the state, including training focused on verbal de-escalation.

Brodee studied Social Change and Development with an emphasis in Law and Justice at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. After college and before joining SPD, Brodee worked at Green Bay Correctional institution for 4 years as an officer and a member of the hostage negotiation team.

In her spare time, Brodee enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids. They especially love spending time outdoors and traveling.