Best Lawyers Near You in Denver, Colorado for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Christopher T. Patrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher T., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jim Goh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jim, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Naomi G. Beer is an experienced litigator who focuses her practice on complex commercial, employment and class action litigation, as well as multi district litigation (MDL) proceedings. Naomi works with clients involved in the retail, energy and manufacturing industries, and has represented clients in numerous state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the United States. Naomi also has experience in the coordination and management of complex litigation for clients faced with rela...
Joshua B. Kirkpatrick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Joshua B., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Vance Knapp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Vance, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vance is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Meryl E. Mills is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Meryl E., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meryl E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brian L. Duffy is a president of the firm and previously served as Chair of the firm’s 600-member Global Litigation Department from 2009-2013. He focuses his practice on trial and appellate work in the class action, employment, energy, commercial contract and product liability areas, serving as national, regional and local counsel in high-profile cases. Brian represents public and privately-held entities and their principals in complex business-related disputes arising from both interna...
Michelle Duncan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michelle, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Laura A. Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Laura A., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael R. Greco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michael R., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Todd Fredrickson is managing partner of the Denver office. He also serves as Chair of the firm's Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. Todd tries employment cases before juries, judges, and arbitrators. His practice involves representing employers in various matters arising under such laws as Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). H...
David C. Gartenberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. David C., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Melissa Cizmorris focuses her practice on employment litigation and counseling. Melissa has litigated in state and federal courts throughout Colorado, Kansas, New York, and New Jersey and represents employers in a variety of labor and employment matters involving Title VII discrimination and harassment claims, FLSA and other wage actions, claims brought under the ADA and FMLA, and non-compete and trade secret enforcement. Melissa also advises human capital and human resources outsourcing comp...
Ryan Lessmann is the office managing principal of the Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah offices and is a client solutions leader of Jackson Lewis P.C. He practices primarily in the area of employment litigation, including representing employers against claims alleging discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination, matters involving trade secret protection, restrictive covenants and unfair competition, and various contract issues. Ryan also counsels and defends employers in wa...
Melisa Panagakos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melisa, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melisa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.