Elizabeth (Liz) Hartsel

EDUCATION

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, JD
  • Notes Editor of the Journal of Law & Technology
  • Staff Writer of the Carolina Law Review
• The Pennsylvania State University, BA & BS

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Colorado
• New York
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

• Colorado Bar Association
• Colorado Women’s Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association

• Selected to Colorado Super Lawyers, 2026
  • Business Litigation, Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation
• Named as ColoradoBiz Top Women in Colorado – 2026
• Named a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation – 2025
• Recipient of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) Volunteer Attorney Impact Award, honored for her outstanding work providing pro bono legal services to Colorado creatives and advancing CBCA’s Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) program – 2023
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America® List – 2023-2025
  • Employment Law – Management
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment

Liz is passionate about supporting the arts and is currently serving on the Denver Young Artists Orchestra’s Advisory Board. Liz previously served as Chair of the Colorado Symphony Associate Board and was also a member of the CBCA’s Board of Directors. In addition, she is a member of the CBCA Leadership Arts Alumni Association and an Impact Denver graduate.

She enjoys running, cycling, and playing the piano in her free time.

• Author, “How to Reduce Workplace Violence and Minimize Liability” AllBusiness.com – Jan. 2024
• Quoted, “What’s Working: Colorado workers can start taking paid family leave Jan. 1” Colorado Sun – Jan. 2024
• Quoted, “A Site for Everyone,” MJBiz Magazine – July 2023
• Quoted, “Business Lawyers Give Recap of 2022, Lookahead to 2023,” LawWeek Colorado – Dec. 2022
• Author, Employment Law 101: What You Should Know to Protect Your Business – HR.com, August 2022
• Author, The Most Essential Employee Handbook Updates To Make This Year – AllBusiness.com, March 2022

• The Economic Impact of Cultural Events in Denver, Brownstein Client Alert, November 1, 2016.
• CPAs in the Spotlight: SEC Focus on Auditors and Auditing, Law360, October 17, 2016.
• June Marks Upsurge in SEC Whistleblower Awards, Brownstein Client Alert, June 15, 2016.
• Sandusky Meets Upjohn: A Reminder to In-House Counsel, Brownstein Client Alert and February 9, 2016.
• Court Rejects “Merger Tax” Litigation Settlements That Benefit Primarily Plaintiffs’ Attorneys and Plaintiffs Who Do Not Represent Shareholder Interests, Brownstein Client Alert, February 10, 2015.
• Revisiting Reasonable Reliance in Credit Fraud Cases, NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL, February 25, 2013.

• Successfully received a determination of “no probable cause” in a charge of race discrimination and constructive discharge before the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
• Received judgment on jury verdict in favor of counterclaim plaintiff client in the amount $713,454.90 for selling concrete that was out of specification and fraudulently misrepresenting the type of concrete sold.
• Ruling in the amount of $2,180,159.60 in case against former employee for breach of contract, breach of duty of loyalty, and statutory business conspiracy.
• Successfully argued a discrimination claim before the Montana Human Rights Commission, which affirmed the dismissal of a discrimination complaint against a large national big-box retailer.
• Successful appellate win in the Tenth Circuit in a case involving claims of breach of the duty of loyalty and intentional interference with contract. 
• Successful appellate win in the Colorado Court of Appeals for a client being forced to sell her minority membership in an LLC via a “drag along” clause. 
• Successfully defended a company and individual against fraud claims in a five-day jury trial. (CO District Court)
• Represented multiple private companies in separate lawsuits against claims for violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) alleged by blind individuals who could not use the company’s website (SDNY). 
• Successfully represented a marijuana distributor at trial regarding purchase option to buy its retail space from its landlord. (CO District Court)
• Successfully represented employer in bench trial against claims of breach of contract and promissory estoppel. Covey v. LG-Tek, Inc. (CO District Court)
• Received a temporary restraining order for a private company against a service provider. Eldorado Artesian Springs, inc. v. U2Logic, Inc. (CO District Court)
• Represented homeowners in claims against a construction company for construction defects and breach of contract. (CO District Court)
• Represented an individual in suit against former employer for gender discrimination and unpaid wages. (D. Colo.)
• Represented an employee whose former employer wrongfully withheld severance.  (CO District Court)
• Represented a CBD company in breach of contract action against CBD producer.
• Represented a CBD company in breach of contract action against company that failed to deliver final product.
• Represented a CBD company in a dispute with a broker who delivered substandard product.
• Represented an electronics accessory company in antitrust cases brought by former distributors alleging violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act in connection with distribution agreements and an alleged group boycott. The case also involved allegations of breach of contract, trade disparagement, and tortious interference with contract. Foreign Trade Corp., d/b/a Technocel v. Otter Products, LLC, et al; Otter Products, LLC v.H.L. Dalis, Inc., Otter Products, LLC v. Wireless Xcessories Group, Inc. (D. Colo.)
• Represented a software company in pursuit of damages for copyright infringement and trademark infringement. (C.D. Cal.)
• Represented a cosmetics company against claims for violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) alleged by a blind individual who could not use the company’s website.
• Successfully represented an entertainment company through the collective bargaining voting process.
• Successfully represented an individual in breach of trust action. (CO District Court)
• Represented a solar panel company and its board members in three consolidated cases in the Southern District of New York against fraud claims arising out of a private placement of securities. (S.D.N.Y)
• Represented a dialysis management company in arbitrations arising out of a buy-out of the company’s dialysis centers. (AHLA)
• Represented a white-collar crime defendant against claims of municipal bond bid rigging and witness tampering in connection with municipal bond offerings in five-week jury trial. United States v. Heinz, et al. (S.D.N.Y.)
• Successfully defended a corporation against claims of breach of contract and fraud in an eight-day jury trial. Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. et al. v. Berryman & Henigar, et al. (NYS Supreme Court)
• Defended a private equity company in multiple causes of action arising out of management of foreign airline company. Pegasus Aviation I, Inc., et al. v. MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC, et al.; Atlantic Aviation Invs. LLC v. MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC (NYS Supreme Court)
• Defended a limited liability company and its members against judicial dissolution by disgruntled member of the limited liability company. (NYS Supreme Court)
• Represented non-profit art house in breach of contract action arising out of a sale from an art exhibit. (NYS Supreme Court)
• Defended broker-dealers accused of collusion in credit default swap transactions. Dept. of Market Regulation v. GFI Securities, LLC (FINRA Disciplinary Proceeding)