WTO Welcomes 24 Lawyers in 2023

Denver: Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO) proudly welcomed 24 lawyers to the firm throughout 2023.

Of the new lawyers, 17 joined WTO this past fall, marking the firm’s largest class to date. The firm also hired its first Chief Operating Officer, Ron Avenida, in 2023.

Learn about WTO’s newest attorneys below.

OF COUNSEL
Katie Custer defends clients in complex commercial litigation and healthcare professional liability in trials across the United States. She has tried more than 20 cases to verdict in her career. Prior to joining WTO, Katie was an Assistant Attorney General in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office’s Criminal Division and a trial litigation associate in the Denver offices of three AmLaw 100 law firms. Katie earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of California at Santa Barbara. 

Eric Holway has significant experience defending healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases and other high-stakes litigation. Prior to joining WTO, he was a named partner at a Denver firm as well as a partner at another firm. Eric earned his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law and his B.A. from St. Olaf College.

Kevin Homiak is the Co-Chair of WTO’s Pro Bono Committee and represents sophisticated clients in complex commercial litigation and professional liability defense. Kevin has won several of the largest pro bono awards in Colorado history in civil cases for victims of injustices perpetrated by state or municipal agencies. Prior to rejoining WTO, he owned his own solo practice and was an associate at a large multinational law firm. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from George Washington University.

Christian Lee is an eDiscovery attorney. He coordinates case teams and works with legal service providers to ensure adherence to the highest process standards from case inception to conclusion. Prior to joining WTO, Christian served as an eDiscovery attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York. Prior to joining WTO, Christian earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 

Lucas Ritchie specializes in high-stakes securities and enforcement defense litigation, investigations, and complex business disputes. Luke is frequently quoted by media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Denver Business Journal. Prior to joining WTO, he was a partner at Lewis Brisbois and Moye White. Luke earned his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and his B.A. from the University of Colorado.

Carolyn Stevens defends physicians, hospitals, and health systems in complex medal malpractice litigation matters. Prior to joining WTO, she was a partner at two law firms. Carolyn earned her J.D. from Brigham Young University and her B.A. from the University of Utah.

ASSOCIATES
Blaire Bayliss represents clients in complex commercial disputes and professional liability defense cases involving physicians and mental health professionals. Blaire was a legal intern for WTO and the Public Interest Network. They earned a J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and a B.A. from Patrick Henry College.

Ellen Blatt represents clients in complex health care liability trials, commercial litigation, and class actions. Before starting her legal career, Ellen earned her M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine and spent 13 years in the health care industry. She also was a law clerk at the Colorado Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to medical school, she earned her A.B. from Duke University. 

Riley Collins represents clients in complex commercial litigation and class actions. Prior to joining WTO, he was a law clerk at a large global firm, a law clerk at the Colorado Court of Appeals, and a judicial extern in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Riley earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School and his B.A. from Dartmouth College.

Daniel DeLay defends health care professionals and organizations in complex medical malpractice disputes in jurisdictions throughout the country. Prior to joining WTO, he was an associate in a national firm’s Denver office, was a judicial intern at the Colorado Court of Appeals, and was an investigator at the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. Daniel earned his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and his B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Jessica Eller represents clients in complex commercial litigation including contract and franchise disputes, and class actions. Prior to joining WTO, she served as a judicial extern at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the Colorado Supreme Court. Jessica earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and her B.A. from the University of Southern California. 

Kelsey Finkel represents clients in healthcare professional liability and commercial litigation matters. Prior to joining WTO, she was an adjunct law professor and bar success writing advisor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (DU). Kelsey also was an appellate law clerk at the Colorado Court of Appeals. Kelsey earned her J.D. from DU and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sarah Graves represents clients in complex commercial litigation, employment, and product liability matters. Before joining WTO, she was an associate in the Denver office of Lewis Brisbois. She was an extern at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and the Colorado Court of Appeals. Sarah earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her B.A. from Hamilton College.

Kaleb Gregory represents clients in complex commercial litigation and product liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, he was a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Kaleb earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law and his B.A. from DePauw University.

Nicole Grimmesey defends a wide range of healthcare providers against professional liability claims. Prior to joining WTO, she was an associate in the Denver office of a national law firm. Nicole earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and her B.A. from the University of Nevada.

Macy Mize-Martinez represents sophisticated clients in complex corporate litigation. Prior to joining WTO, she was an associate at Paul, Weiss and was a judicial intern in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Macy earned her J.D. from the George Washington University School of Law and her B.A. from Baylor University.

Elizabeth Poché represents clients in complex legal professional liability, commercial litigation, and products liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, she was a judicial law clerk at the Colorado Supreme Court. Beth’s public service internship experience includes roles with the Colorado Attorney General Office’s State Services Section, Colorado Supreme Court, Denver District Court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, and the Office of the District Attorney Second Judicial District of Colorado. Beth earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her B.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Marisa Shearer represents clients in complex litigation matters. Prior to joining WTO, she worked at an immigration law clinic, was a summer law clerk at WTO and a major telecommunications company, and was a judicial intern in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Marisa earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her B.S. from Brigham Young University.

Jennifer Simon represents clients in class actions and healthcare professional liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, she was a summer associate at Kirkland & Ellis and was a judicial extern in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Jen earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.A. from the University of Georgia. 

Nick Steverson represents clients in sensitive healthcare and catastrophic tort cases, complex commercial litigation, and consumer products and services matters. Before joining WTO, he served as a law clerk and judicial extern at the Colorado Supreme Court and was a legal intern in the Civil Litigation Section of the Denver City Attorney’s Office. Nick earned his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and his B.A. from Bates College. 

Danielle Trujillo represents clients in commercial litigation and product liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, she served as a law clerk at the Colorado Supreme Court and the Twentieth Judicial District of Colorado. Danielle earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School and her B.A. from the University of Denver.

Alena Weicher represents clients in product liability and healthcare professional liability matters. Before joining WTO, Alena was a judicial intern in the Colorado Twentieth Judicial District and the Colorado Second Judicial District. She also worked as a legal assistant at a law firm. Alena earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School, received M.A. degrees from Dominican University and Northwestern University, and a B.A. from Boston College.

Carolyn Welter represents clients in complex commercial litigation, franchise, and competition matters. Prior to joining WTO, she served as a law clerk at the Colorado Supreme Court and had legal internships with the U.S. District Court for District of Colorado, and the Colorado Governor’s office. Carolyn earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her B.A. from the University of Missouri.

Tate Wines represents clients in employment, class actions, commercial litigation, and product liability matters. Prior to joining WTO, Tate was an associate at Skadden, was a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and had a legal internship at the U.S. Department of Labor in the Regional Solicitor’s Office. He earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.S. from Cornell University.

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell lawyers have taken more than 1,100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award and 300 appeals to opinion all across the nation, with exceptional results for our clients. 

Established in 1998, WTO today numbers more than 110 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.