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Clarissa M. Collier

Partner

P. 303.244.0155 | F. 303.244.1879

Biography

Clarissa Collier defends her clients in high-stakes medical malpractice, professional liability, products liability and commercial litigation matters. She is a strategic and effective advocate for clients, including at trial, where she has established skills to lead at any phase. Clarissa also has an active appellate practice, having argued and briefed several appeals in the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Wyoming Supreme Court.  

In addition to her litigation practice, Clarissa brings extensive experience handling white collar cases and investigations. She has conducted independent internal investigations to minimize clients’ legal exposure. She has also responded to federal and state government investigations, including investigations initiated by the U.S. Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury.

Clarissa is listed as a Colorado Rising Star and was the recipient of the prestigious Gary McPherson Award for Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2016.

Cases

Medical Malpractice & Professional Liability

Commercial Litigation

Product Liability

  • Successfully negotiated a de minimis settlements—prior to the client's deposition—for several automobile manufacturers facing a product liability claims.
  • Defending an international automobile manufacturer in high-exposure product liability cases involving allegations of defective airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.

Personal Injury

  • Represented a franchisor of more than 350 restaurants in its premises liability litigation, favorably settling numerous cases for the client.
  • Represented a ground shipping company in a slip and fall case and favorably settled the case for less than what was offered pre-litigation.
  • Favorably settled several trucking accident lawsuits involving significant injury and death against a major brewing company.

Investigations & Compliance

  • Represented an oil and gas developer in responding to a multi-agency securities investigation involving the Securities Exchange Commission and several state securities boards and divisions.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for a Fortune 500 holding company for various life insurance companies and investment firms relating to a former employee's allegations of retaliation, discrimination and violations of the Securities Exchange Act.
  • Represented a major defense service contractor in voluntarily disclosing potential export controls and trade sanctions violations to the Departments of State, Commerce, and Treasury.
  • Represented a defense service contractor in response to a Department of Justice investigation involving alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.

Pro Bono

  • Obtained a significant excessive force settlement payment for a pro bono client who survived an assault by police.
  • Represented a school district on a pro bono basis in a high-profile lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Colorado school finance system.
  • Successfully represented a terminally ill client in guardianship proceedings by obtaining appointment of guardians for the client's four minor children before his death.
  • Favorably settled a negligence case for nuisance value for a state sanctioned rodeo. The settlement allowed the rodeo to remain in business.

Other Representative Experience

  • Secured a zero-dollar walkaway settlement from a plaintiff in Boulder County who demanded $10 million in a civil case following a high-profile alleged criminal assault.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

    Presentations

  • Presenter, "From the Trenches: Fighting Junk Medicine," Claims and Panel Attorneys of American Excess Insurance Exchange, (April 11, 2023).
  • Co-presenter, "National Counsel, National Solutions," Medical Professional Liability Association's Claims Defense Forum, (October 2022).
  • Presenter, "The Unwavering Collateral Source Rule," Colorado Defense Lawyers Association's Annual Conference, (August 5, 2022).
  • Presenter, "Living With & Mitigating the Threat of Medical Malpractice," University of Northern Colorado School of Nursing, (December 2, 2021).
  • Presenter, "An Examination of the Collateral Source Rule," MedStar Defense Counsel's Virtual Retreat, (June 24, 2021).

Articles

  • "2014 Associates Campaign for Justice—"May I See Your ID?," The Colorado Lawyer, Vol. 43, No. 4, (April 2014).
  • "Exploring the Limits of the In Pari Delicto Defense," ABI Young and New Members Committee eNewsletter, Vol. 10, No. 2, (March 2012).

Other Experience

Holland & Hart LLP

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Colorado Super Lawyers
     Rising Stars, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice Defense, 2022-2023
     Rising Stars, Business Litigation, 2019-2021
     Rising Stars, International, 2018
Gary McPherson Award for Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, 2016
Colorado General Counsel Mentoring Program, 2015 and 2017
Colorado Lawyers Committee Team of the Year Award 
     Lobato Litigation, 2012
American Bar Association
     Former Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates 
     Litigation Section
Colorado Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2013-2019
Denver Bar Association
Faculty of Federal Advocates  
Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado
     Board of Trustees, 2017-2018
     Associates Advisory Board, Co-Chair, 2015-2017
5280 Magazine
    Top Lawyer
        Personal Injury: Defense, 2024

Community Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation
    Member of Board of Directors
Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation
    Ex Officio Member of Board of Directors
Downtown Denver Leadership Program 
     Alumni Association
     Participant, 2012

Personal Interests

Spending time with family, enjoying the great outdoors, traveling, and watching the Denver Broncos

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