WTO Welcomes 19 Attorneys in 2021

Denver: Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell proudly welcomed a class of 19 attorneys throughout 2021. These lawyers bring valuable experience to the firm’s range of practices and industries—from high-stakes appeals to healthcare professional liability trials. 

• 73% of new associates served judicial clerkships;
• 58% of new attorneys are women;
• and 33% of new associates identify as diverse. 

NEW OF COUNSEL

Virginia Creighton represents clients in complex commercial litigation and legal professional liability matters nationwide. Prior to joining WTO, Ginny served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. She earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and her B.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso.  

Margot Heflick represents healthcare industry clients in high-risk healthcare professional liability litigation and trials. Prior to joining WTO, Margot was a litigation partner at a business and litigation firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from the University of New Mexico School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of New Mexico. 

NEW ASSOCIATES

Teresa Akkara represents clients in commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Prior to joining WTO, Teresa worked as an associate in the litigation department of an AmLaw 10 firm in New York City. Teresa earned her J.D. From the University of Pennsylvania Law School, cum laude, and her B.A. from the College of New Jersey. 

Alex Bransford represents clients in challenging commercial litigation nationwide. Prior to joining WTO, he served clerkships in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. He earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School and his B.A. from Georgetown University. 

Natalie Colao represents clients in complex civil litigation, particularly in the pharmaceutical, medical device, health and wellness, and cannabis industries. Prior to joining WTO, Natalie worked as a litigation associate at a full-service law firm in New Jersey. She earned her J.D. from Vermont Law School, cum laude, and her B.A. from Fordham University. 

Thomas Dec represents sophisticated clients—including financial institutions, lenders, and technology companies—in difficult commercial cases. Prior to joining WTO, Tom served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. He earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law and his B.A. from Yale University. 

Charles Gibson represents clients in complex commercial litigation and legal professional liability matters nationwide. Prior to joining WTO, he served a clerkship in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Charley earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Oregon. 

Michael Krantz represents sophisticated clients facing complex legal and business challenges. His clients have included private equity funds, manufacturers, utility providers, and foreign governments. Prior to joining WTO, Michael worked in the international arbitration practice of an AmLaw 20 firm. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and his B.A., cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Kenyon College. 

Emily Linehan represents clients facing complex claims across a range of practices and industries. Prior to joining WTO, Emily served a clerkship in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law and her B.A. from Brown University. 

Robert McLeod represents clients in complex product and professional liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, Robert served as an associate in the Nashville office of an AmLaw 200 firm. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Texas.

Rebekah Nickel represents clients in commercial litigation matters nationwide. Prior to joining WTO as an associate, she was a summer law clerk at the firm. Rebekah earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law—graduating first in her class—and her B.S., summa cum laude, from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business. 

Jennifer Oxley is a former Assistant United States Attorney who represents clients facing complex commercial, professional liability, class action, and catastrophic injury claims. She earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Arizona. 

Geraldo Parrilla represents sophisticated clients in complex litigation nationwide. Prior to joining WTO, he served judicial clerkships in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and in the Connecticut Appellate Court. Geraldo earned his J.D., cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law and his B.A. From Trinity College. 

Michaela Redlingshafer represents clients in high-stakes litigation matters nationwide. Prior to joining WTO, Mickey served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton. 

John Sandberg defends clients against complex commercial, personal injury, and professional liability claims. Prior to joining WTO, John worked at the Denver office of a regional law firm. John earned his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. 

Gabrielle Schneiderman represents clients in complex commercial litigation matters across the U.S. Prior to joining WTO, Gabrielle served a judicial clerkship in the Colorado Supreme Court. Gabrielle earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Colorado. 

Marisa Shearer represents clients in complex litigation matters. Prior to joining WTO as an associate, she was a summer law clerk at the firm. Marisa earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her B.S. from Brigham Young University. 

NEW STAFF COUNSEL

Sally Evans serves on WTO’s e-Discovery team, helping to lead projects across the firm’s range of practices and industries. Prior to joining WTO, Sally worked as an e-Discovery contract attorney for multiple law firms. Sally earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Georgia Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas. 

Christopher Petersen represents clients in commercial disputes across industries including natural resources, real estate, and land use. Prior to joining WTO, he served a judicial clerkship in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. Chris earned his J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and his B.S., cum laude, from Shepherd University.

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell lawyers have taken more than 1,100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award and hundreds of appeals to opinion all across the nation, with exceptional results for our clients. 

Established in 1998, WTO today numbers approximately 100 trial lawyers and litigators. The firm represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes civil trials, appeals, and related litigation ranging from complex commercial to class actions to catastrophic torts.