Skip to Main Content

Elayna M. Fiene

Associate

P. 303.244.1955 | F. 303.244.1879
V Card
Email Elayna Fiene
PDF version
Home > People > Elayna M. Fiene

Industries

Education

  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law
    J.D., 2012, Order of St. Ives, Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, Training Editor
  • University of Denver
    M.A., 2012, International Studies
  • Wellesley College
    B.A., 2003, Political Science

Government Service

Law Clerk to The Honorable Carmen E. Garza of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico

Extern to The Honorable Judge Nancy Lichtenstein of the Colorado Court of Appeals

Peace Corps Volunteer, South Africa

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, D. Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, D. Wyoming
  • Wyoming

Biography

Elayna Fiene represents sophisticated clients in commercial disputes with a focus on the defense of complex insurance coverage and extra-contractual litigation. During her time in private practice, she has gained valuable experience drafting dispositive motions, developing creative and comprehensive discovery strategies, and taking key depositions.

In addition to her insurance defense work, Elayna has a developing appellate practice as well as experience handling product liability and construction defect matters.

Prior to joining Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell, Elayna worked in the Denver office of a large international law firm. Additionally, Elayna served as a judicial law clerk for The Honorable Carmen E. Garza of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Prior to law school, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa, helping to expand the capacity of community-based healthcare organizations.  

Cases

  • Represents national insurance companies in high-exposure bad faith cases in Colorado.
  • Won complete affirmance in the Tenth Circuit of summary judgment in favor of an insurance company resulting in dismissal of breach of contract and bad faith claims.
  • Successfully settled multiple cases with exposure in the hundreds of millions of dollars, including some on a "walk-away" basis.
  • Obtained favorable settlement of bad faith claims on the eve of trial for an international insurance company related to a denial of coverage on a construction policy.

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Colorado Rising Stars
    Business Litigation, 2020
Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association