Chelsie Smith’s practice focuses on commercial and civil litigation, appeals, insurance defense, critical motions, extra-contractual insurance defense, insurance coverage, and other civil matters. Before joining the firm, Ms. Smith was a litigation associate at an international law firm in New York City where she represented various corporations and construction companies in premises liability, personal injury, and construction accident matters.
Ms. Smith earned her Juris Doctorate degree in 2015 from University of Virginia Law School. While in law school, Ms. Smith received the Pro Bono Certificate of Recognition demonstrating her commitment to providing legal services to low-income and underserved communities. Ms. Smith also served as an Editorial Board Member for the Virginia Tax Review during her time at UVA.
Ms. Smith has litigated cases in state and federal court in addition to serving as second chair for a jury trial in New York Supreme Court.
Memberships
New York Bar Association
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Association of Black Women Attorneys
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Complex Litigation and Trials
- Insurance Liability and Litigation
- Products Liability and Mass Torts
- Employment Litigation
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2015
- B.S., University of Maryland College Park, International Business, 2012
- B.A., University of Maryland College Park, English Literature, 2012
Licensure
- Colorado 2020
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- New York, 2017
- District of Columbia, 2019
Clement Asante works with a team of Polsinelli attorneys to help clients solve issues related to the establishment and protection of their intellectual property needs. He focuses his litigation practice on effectively enforcing and defending clients' intellectual property rights in courts and other dispute resolution forums.
Education
- University of Colorado Law School (J.D., 2022)
- University of Colorado-Boulder (B.A., 2017)
Bar Admission
Jenipher is a civil movement and human rights attorney and Managing Attorney of For the People | A People’s Legal Office, LLC. Jenipher began her career in the New Orleans office of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) through the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Harvard University and the City of New Orleans Office of Independent Police Monitor (OPM). Her work challenging the system of mass incarceration has resulted in binding affirmative decisions regarding the constitutional rights of prisoners in the U.S. Jenipher litigates complex civil litigation cases involving the rights of political prisoners, employment discrimination, and law enforcement/correctional officer misconduct. Her work in litigation and in the community have been recognized by Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) and Denver Public Schools (DPS).
As a clinical law professor, Jenipher has instructed law students regarding the rights of prisoners, movement lawyering, professional identity formation, and has been published domestically and abroad serving as Editor in Chief of the National Lawyers Guild Law Review. Jenipher currently joint chairs the Mass Incarceration Committee of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). She serves on the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Federal Advocates (FFA) and has been recognized as one of Denver's 40 Under 40 young professionals. Jenipher is a proud board member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL). She also received extended integrative training in contemplative practice and social justice as informed by the perennial tradition, receiving a certificate from the renowned Center for Action & Contemplation (CAC).
Scott L. Evans is a shareholder and the Litigation Chair at Buchalter’s Denver office. Mr. Evans’ practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, employee transition litigation, workplace investigations, and alternative dispute resolution across a range of industry sectors including financial services, cannabis/hemp, real estate, restaurant, and hospitality industries.
Mr. Evans’ commercial litigation practice focuses on breach of contract disputes, internal business conflicts, tortious interference with contracts, breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, qui tam defense under the False Claims Act (FCA), and white-collar crime defense. Mr. Evans has tried multiple cases to verdict in state, federal, and administrative courts.
Mr. Evans’ employment litigation practice involves defending financial advisors in broker-dealer disputes related to trade secrets, non-solicitation, and non-compete issues. He also represents employers in matters involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Additionally, with his background as a federal investigator, he conducts strategic internal corporate investigations throughout the U.S. concerning employment and fraud issues.
Mr. Evans also has a robust national alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice while serving on the Commercial, Employment, and Consumer panels for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and as a court-appointed mediator. Mr. Evans has arbitrated and mediated cases involving contracts, the financial industry, cannabis/hemp, real estate, employee transitions, and statutory employment issues. Mr. Evans completed the Associate’s program at the College of Commercial Arbitrators, earned certification as a mediator from the American Institute of Mediation, and trained as a court-appointed neutral (special master) with the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals (ACAN).
As a seasoned public speaker, Edison delivers each client’s story with clarity, focus, energy, and compassion. Edison takes pride in his ability to connect with clients, ensuring they feel heard, and their needs are met. Utilizing his years of banking experience prior to becoming a lawyer, he ensures proper attention is given to the fiscal aspects of any representation. From negotiating agreements and settlements to building a case from the ground up, Edison’s diverse knowledge and skill set separates him from the field.
Primarily representing construction clients, whether with construction defect resolution, contract negotiation, contract drafting, real estate transactions, or insurance disputes, Edison brings a high level of comfort and understanding to his clients. His advocacy for his clients is empowered by his military upbringing, ensuring the entire team is informed and ready to jump in at any moment. Growing up in a military family provided a high level of discipline, expectation, and collaboration. Having lived on the West Coast, East Coast, and the Midwest, Edison is able to understand how best to navigate individuals’ and organizations’ competing needs.
As a result of Edison’s representation, clients have obtained multi-million-dollar recoveries, avoided costly litigation, and expanded their businesses to meet the needs of the day. Due to his success, Edison has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 under 40, and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” in the last couple of years.
When not providing excellent representation to his clients, Edison enjoys spending time outdoors with his dog Yeti, gardening, and cooking. When time permits, he enjoys attending concerts and Colorado sporting events with friends.
Education
- Virginia Tech, B.S. Management
- University of Colorado, J.D.
Bar Admissions
- Colorado
- Arizona
- South Dakota