About CBA YLD
Definition of a "Young Lawyer" by CBA YLD standards are lawyers younger than 37 or who have been in practice less than five years.
Want to learn more about the CBA YLD? Come to an Executive Council meeting! We meet the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. both in-person and via Zoom. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please email Jess Ham
2023–24 CBA YLD Council Members
Kaela Zihlman (Chair) | Denver
Kaela is a senior associate attorney at Griffiths Law PC, where she practices domestic relations litigation and drafts prenuptial agreements. A Colorado native, Kaela is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and was editor in chief of DU's Criminal Law Review. During and following law school, Kaela clerked for the Honorable Robert L. McGahey, Jr. in Denver District Court. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world with her trusty backpack and exploring the Denver brunch scene.
Email: [email protected]
James Fogg (Immediate Past Chair) | Denver
Jim is a Partner at Ogborn Mihm, LLP. He focuses his trial practice on fiduciary responsibility, representing individuals and businesses in plaintiff-side legal malpractice cases, business disputes, and trust and estate litigation. Previously, Jim clerked for the Hon. James S. Casebolt on the Colorado Court of Appeals. Jim graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2014. During law school, he was a member of the National Trial Team, served as an Articles Editor for the Water Law Review, and advocated on behalf of clients in DU’s Environmental Law Clinic. He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In his spare time, you will find Jim spending time with his wife, Becca, and kiddos, Addie and Jack, fly-fishing a mountain stream with his dog, Gus, or searching for his golf ball.
Email: [email protected]
Robyn Clarke (Secretary) | Denver
Robyn Clarke is an attorney Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Robyn graduated from Stanford Law School with pro bono distinction, and then went on to clerk for the Honorable Jon D. Levy in the Federal District Court of Maine. During law school, Robyn was a member editor of the Stanford Law Review and a senior editor of the Stanford Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Journal. Robyn is a fourth generation Coloradoan, and she and her husband love spending their free time working out and exploring the mountains with their two very un-athletic dogs.
Email: [email protected]
Shane O’Connor (Treasurer) | Denver
Shane is an associate at the Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLP in Boulder. He practices commercial litigation with a focus on construction law. Shane graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 2019. During law school, he was a member of the National Moot Court Team and participated in the Civil Practice Clinic, where he served clients in divorce, immigration, and social security disability proceedings. Shane is a typical Denver transplant, spending most of his spare time either hiking in the mountains or out on the golf course.
Email: [email protected]
Spencer Rubin | Denver
Spencer currently practices commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and technology transfer negotiations at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in their Denver office. Spencer works across multiple industries, including aerospace, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, e-commerce, hospitality, and energy and natural resources and works with clients from start-up to Fortune-50 size. Spencer graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 2016 and Tufts University in 2013. In his free time, Spencer enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and world travel.
Email: [email protected]
Eliza Steinberg | Lone Tree
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Eliza Steinberg is a Shareholder at Griffiths Law PC, where she practices family law. Eliza received her JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She was recognized as an "Up and Coming Lawyer" by Law Week Colorado in 2019 and named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list every year since 2020. Eliza is a professional mentor at the Sturm College of Law and volunteers her time with several non-profit organizations including the Colorado Judicial Institute and ALIGHT. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her family in the Colorado outdoors. Eliza has summited around 30 of Colorado's 14ers with more summits to come.
Email: [email protected]
Karen Blau | Denver
Karen Blau is a partner working on a variety of civil cases including personal injury, sexual assault, premises liability, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Karen is passionate and experienced, working tirelessly to come up with strategic and creative solutions to help clients who have been harmed by the negligent acts of others. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for 2023, and she has also been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top Trial Lawyer 40 under 40 in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Karen is an active member of the legal community serving as a member of the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and as a co-chair of the New Lawyers Division of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. She is also a member of the American Association for Justice. She is licensed to practice law in Arizona, in Colorado and in New Mexico.
Prior to joining the firm, Karen clerked at the Second Judicial District Court for the Honorable Edward Bronfin. During her time at the court she had the opportunity to clerk in the civil, criminal, and domestic rotations. While in the civil rotation, Karen witnessed numerous jury trials where she gained insight and knowledge on how jurors view facts, parties, attorneys, and, most importantly, how they reach their verdicts.
Born and raised in California, at the age of seventeen Karen moved to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Force. There she served for two years reaching the rank of sergeant in the Field Artillery Division. She was the youngest ranked and only female to receive the 61StAnnual Israel Independence Day Grant for her service. Upon discharge from the military, Karen returned to California where she attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Immediately thereafter, she continued to law school at University of California, Hastings College of the Law. While in law school, Karen held a summer externship in Washington D.C. at the Office of General Counsel at Homeland Security working in the Technology Programs Law Division. She was also an Executive Editor of the journal Constitutional Law Quarterly, and a coach and member of Hastings’ nationally ranked Moot Court Team.
After law school, Karen seized the wonderful opportunity to clerk in the great state of Colorado. Upon her arrival, she quickly felt at home. During her free time Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, and playing with her dogs.
Email: [email protected]
Raquel Hernandez | Colorado Springs
Raquel V. Hernandez is an compassionate advocate who enjoys helping families navigate our complex judicial system. Raquel brings insight from behind the bench with her combined experience of a year and three months of being a law clerk. In the 19th Judicial District, Weld County, Raquel clerked for two judges and a magistrate, all of whom had domestic relations dockets. In her capacity as a law clerk, Raquel provided research memorandums and composed the first drafts of the Court’s orders, amongst other responsibilities. In the 4th Judicial District, El Paso County, as a law student, Raquel participated in the Court’s summer law clerk program; where she clerked for a judge with a mixed docket of criminal and domestic. In addition to her law clerk experience, Raquel has further insight in the Dependency and Neglect field, from when she interned, as a law student, for the Florida Department of Children and Family, Children’s Legal Services.
Raquel attended undergraduate school at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, earning a BA in History. For law school, Raquel attended Florida Coastal School of Law, receiving a certificate in Family Law studies and a Pro Bono certificate.
In her free time, Raquel enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains, and spending time with her friends, family, and dog. Raquel is also one of the At-Large Trustees of the El Paso County Bar Association. Additionally, Raquel gives back to the local community through her pro bono work via the Justice Center of the El Paso County Bar Association and clinics held at the courthouse.
Email: [email protected]
A.J. Martinez | Denver
A.J. is an Associate at Holland & Hart LLP, in their Denver office. A young “Dirt Lawyer,” A.J. assists clients through all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, ranging from the acquisition of land for development, navigating land use issues, securing funding in loan and finance transactions, drafting and negotiating leases from both the tenant and landlord perspective, and disposition of real estate assets. A.J. received a B.A. in Political Science and English with a certificate in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. In his free time, A.J. enjoys partaking in outdoor activities including skiing/snowboarding, hiking, river floating, golfing, running, and a good patio beer. Due to growing up in Colorado, A.J. is an avid Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, and Avalanche fan. Email: [email protected]
Georgina Melbye | Aspen
Georgina Melbye is partner at Kalamaya | Goscha which specializes in Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury. She works primarily from the Aspen Office and loves all that mountain life has to offer. She is thrilled to join the Young Lawyers Division board and looks forward to connecting and working with young lawyers across Colorado.
Email: [email protected]
Sean Rooney | Grand Junction
Sean Rooney works at the Mesa County Attorney’s Office. Sean assists clients with family law issues. Originally from Michigan, Sean earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Adrian College in 2014. In May of 2020, Sean graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Outside of work, Sean enjoys exploring Colorado with his wife, Sarah, spending time with family, and watching sports.
Email: [email protected]
Jessica Cordero | Denver
Jessica Isabel Cordero is a first-generation Hispanic legal graduate from the University of Denver - Sturm College of Law and a premier Millennial Crisis Coach. After building a successful practice at an international law firm, she discovered her passion for helping professionals navigate moral and ethical challenges, manage stress, and overcome communication barriers to build better and more sustainable practices. She also utilizes her expertise to help students at her alma mater as a Bar Success Coach and Writing Advisor. Lastly, she is a Board Member at the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Foundation and a strong advocate for C-PTSD and LGBTQ+ communities.
Email: [email protected]
Logan DeSouza | Boulder
Logan DeSouza is an associate in the Boulder office of Koenig, Oelsner, Taylor, Schoenfeld & Gaddis PC. Logan's practice focuses on business transactions and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, structuring joint ventures and partnerships, venture financings, and corporate governance matters. Logan previously practiced in the M&A group in the New York City office of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and spent time as a secondee at Apollo Global Management, Inc. focusing on leveraged buyouts. Logan is a graduate of Duke University School of Law. Although still somewhat new to Colorado, Logan greatly enjoys the outdoor pursuits offered within his proverbial "backyard" including trail running, rock climbing and snowboarding.
Email: [email protected]
Chelsea Princell | Denver
Chelsea is a staff attorney with the Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services. Chelsea received her JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she served as an executive editor of the Indiana Health Law Review, the vice president of the Student Bar Association, and an associate justice on the school's Moot Court Board. After practicing law in Indiana for three years, Chelsea moved to Colorado where she advises Colorado state legislators and state agencies on legal matters ranging from Medicaid and human services, to criminal justice and education. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys traveling internationally, hiking, going to concerts, and running.
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Taylor | Denver
Hannah Taylor is an associate attorney at Sherman & Howard, LLC in Denver, Colorado. Hannah currently practices primarily family law but began her career at the 17th Judicial District DA’s Office where she spent over three years as a Deputy District Attorney. Hannah attended law school at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, which is where she found her passion for advocacy and trial work as a member of the National Trial Team. Hannah was named a 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Star and volunteers with Metro Volunteer Lawyers. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys Orange Theory, reading, and spending time with her dog Mack (short for Reba McEntire).
Email: [email protected]
Nick Sung | Colorado Springs
Nick is an associate attorney at Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, where he is based in Douglas County; and practices exclusively in the area of domestic relations. Nick is from Colorado and obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and then attended law school in Rhode Island at Roger Williams University School of Law. After graduating law school, Nick moved back to Colorado and began practicing in the field of domestic relations. In his spare time, Nick likes to be in the mountains, in the kitchen, and with friends and family.
Email: [email protected]
Makenna X. Johnson | Denver
Makenna X. Johnson is an associate in the Property Rights Group at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. Her practice focuses on eminent domain, land use, and other real estate-related dispute resolution and litigation. Prior to joining DGS, Makenna was an associate at a boutique law firm that specializes in eminent domain and other real estate litigation matters. Makenna’s expertise in this area enables her to represent property owners and condemning authorities in eminent domain proceedings, including appraisal review, negotiation of possession, and litigation. Makenna received her J.D. from William & Mary Law School. While in law school, she was a Property Rights Fellow, the Membership and Alumni Coordinator for the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and a recipient of the American Bar Association State and Local Government Law Award. Makenna earned her B.A. in Political Science with minors in Communication and Pre-law from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Outside her practice, Makenna enjoys hiking, running, and serving as a volunteer judge for high school speech and debate tournaments.
Email: [email protected]