Biography
As a member of the Water, Energy, Resources and Environmental Law practice group, Susan focuses her practice on representing municipalities, water and sanitation districts, and industrial users in state and federal court water rights adjudications. She has extensive experience in water adjudications, water supply planning, and water rights transactions. She also has experience representing corporations and banks in litigation and mediation. Susan routinely represents clients in water rights litigation in Colorado state water courts. She also has experience representing a client in a complex federal court case involving tribal water rights and a general stream adjudication.
Prior to joining Ryley Carlock & Applewhite in 2007, Susan served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Russell Carparelli on the Colorado Court of Appeals and for Justice Gregory Hobbs on the Colorado Supreme Court. During her clerkships, Susan gained a wide range of experience in civil cases, including water court appeals.
Susan received her B.S. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and her J.D. from the University of Denver. During law school, she served as Editor in Chief of the Water Law Review and received first place in the Hoffman Cup Moot Court litigation competition. Susan was also a teaching assistant for legal research and writing classes.
Publications
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Speaker, Water Law Conference, "Making the Connection: Strategies and Emerging Trends in Integrated Surface and Groundwater Management," American Bar Association, June 2013
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Water Resources Committee Newsletter, American Bar Association, Volume 14, No. 3, "Colorado Water Law Ballot Initiatives Move Forward," August 2012
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Speaker, Colorado Water Law Conference, "Implications of the FRICO Case," CLE International, March 2012
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"Requirements for Augmentation Plans After the Mountain Mutual Decision," The Colorado Lawyer, September 2009
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Contributing Author, Colorado Water Law Benchbook (2009 - present)
Memberships
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American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources- Water Resources Committee- Co-Vice-Chair of Membership
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Chair of the Special Events Committee and Member of the Planning Committee for the American Bar Association's Annual Water Law Conference
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Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association's Special Committee on Public Service
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University of Denver Water Law Review -Advisory Board Member
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Legal Aid Foundation - Associates Advisory Board Member
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Legal Aid Foundation - Representative Associates' Campaign for Justice
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Colorado Bar Association - Water Law Section
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Denver Bar Association
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Colorado Women's Bar Association - Member of Legal Services and Judicial Committees
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Cal-Wood Education Center- Member of the Scholarship Development Committee