Douglas L. Stratton

Mr. Stratton practices in the areas of workers' compensation defense, subrogation and personal injury
defense. His experience in these areas began while working as a paralegal in a plaintiffs' injury firm in 1992. He understands the importance of serving the client's interests through preparedness, organization, attention to detail, and responsiveness to the client and other parties. He seeks early resolution to disputes when possible, but aggressively litigates when necessary. Mr. Stratton takes pride in staying current in the law and finding creative legal solutions through research.

Mr. Stratton graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Colorado State University in 1986 and worked in the construction industry before becoming a paralegal. He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1997. As an attorney he has represented claimants for five years and respondents/defendants for the remainder.

Mr. Stratton is also licensed to practice in Wyoming and handles Wyoming workers' compensation andsubrogation claims for Ritsema & Lyon.

Mr. Stratton serves clients from the Fort Collins office and may be reached at 970.204.4579 or at doug.stratton@ritsema-lyon.com.

Kyle L. Thacker

Ms. Thacker is a shareholder at Ritsema & Lyon and has been working in the field of workers' compensation defense since 1993. She delivers proactive, aggressive defense of workers' compensation claims. Her knowledge of the law and depth of experience in this area enables her to assist clients by understanding the strategic importance of workers' compensation and related issues as they pertain to a company's overall vision, plan and bottom line. Ms. Thacker was named Respondents' Lawyer of the Year by The Professionals in Workers' Compensation in 2014.

Ms. Thacker graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1991. Ms. Thacker practiced at the Colorado Compensation Insurance Authority (Pinnacol Assurance) prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon in 1996. While at CCIA, she specialized in workers' compensation issues, focusing particularly on the area of medical utilization review. Previously with the law firm of Miles & Epstein, P.C., Ms. Thacker practiced in several areas, including defense of workers' compensation claims, Equal Opportunity Commission and unemployment claims, and Title VII employment discrimination suits. Her legal experience also includes clerking at the Denver law firm of Gerash, Robinson & Miranda, P.C., where she practiced civil and criminal law.

She practices in Ritsema & Lyon's Denver office and may be reached directly at 303.297.7263 or at kyle.thacker@ritsema-lyon.com.

Laurie F. Weisman

Ms. Weisman is named Of Counsel for Ritsema & Lyon. She brings a strong corporate employment legal background to her clients at Ritsema & Lyon, her experience with King Soopers, Colorado's largest retail food store operation and a self-employed insurer, has given her the ability to understand the needs of her self-insured clients and the business interests of corporate employers. Ms. Weisman spent 14 years in King Soopers' Risk Management Department prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon in 1997. As Litigation Manager, she was responsible for handling hundreds of cases involving legal issues facing corporations and self-insurers. Areas of litigation there included workers' compensation and employment law, public liability, real estate, contract and professional liability.

Ms. Weisman embraces the firm's client-oriented approach. She listens actively to clients, provides them with what they want and need, works in a team fashion, and tries always to be available and accessible. Ms. Weisman received bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1975 and her J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law in 1993. She is a member of the Denver and Colorado Bar Associations.

Ms. Weisman is also licensed to practice in Arizona and handles Arizona workers' compensation claims for Ritsema & Lyon.

Based in our Denver office, Ms. Weisman may be reached directly at 303.293.0096 or at laurie.weisman@ritsema-lyon.com.

Eliot J Wiener

Eliot J Wiener is a founding shareholder with Ritsema & Lyon in our Denver office. Mr. Wiener's extensive legal experience spans both the private and public sectors, including representation of employers and insurance carriers. Mr. Wiener spent three years with the Colorado Compensation Insurance Authority (Pinnacol Assurance), defending workers' compensation cases, as a Staff Attorney and then Assistant Chief Counsel. Mr. Wiener has tried over a thousand cases. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, he was a partner with the law firm of Hall & Evans. He is firmly committed to a responsive, client-centered approach with thorough attention and application, based on solid knowledge of the law and mastery of the litigation process.

Mr. Wiener enjoys being active in Colorado's legal community and has lectured at a number of Continuing Legal Education seminars on workers' compensation topics. A former Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, he is the author of an article in The Colorado Lawyer, "Occupational Disease Claims Under Senate Bill 218," on Occupational Disease Law. Mr. Wiener was recognized as a Colorado Super Lawyer each year from 2007 to 2014. He is a member of the Denver and Colorado Bar Associations. Mr. Wiener received a Masters degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and graduated from the University of Denver College of Law with a J.D. in 1983.

Based in our Denver office, Mr. Wiener may be reached directly at 303.293.0094 or at eliot.wiener@ritsema-lyon.com.

Robert V. Wren

Mr. Wren joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2008 and practices worker's compensation defense, general liability defense, employment law, and third-party subrogation.  In 2017 Mr. Wren was named a shareholder of the firm.  He has given numerous lectures, training seminars, and presentations concerning workers' compensation subrogation matters.  Before coming to the firm, Mr. Wren practiced as a general litigation attorney with a large Denver firm where he handled employment law and general civil litigation.  Before moving to Colorado, Mr. Wren worked as a litigation support attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. as part of the Indian Tribal Trust Project, where he gained valuable experience in large-scale and complex civil litigation.

Mr. Wren received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2001.  He received his law degree in 2004 from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.  Mr. Wren is licensed and practicing in Arizona and Colorado.

Mr. Wren practices in our Denver office and can be reached directly at 303.297.7297 or at robert.wren@ritsema-lyon.com.

Dawn M. Yager

Ms. Yager is a shareholder with Ritsema & Lyon and represents self insured employers, insurance companies, governmental entities, and their third party adjusting companies in all aspects of workers' compensation litigation. She is sought out because of her innovative and aggressive investigation of her cases. She takes initiative to move matters quickly to conclusion while containing costs, meanwhile preparing to litigate aggressively when necessary.

Ms. Yager went to Colorado State University for her undergraduate degree. She attended Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa on a full academic scholarship. She received the American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence, Property, Tax and Wills and Estates. She received her J.D. in 1994, graduating with honors, ranking second in her class. Ms. Yager was admitted to the bar in Colorado in 1994. Before joining Ritsema & Lyon in 1998, her practice focused employment law, personal injury law and workers' compensation law.

She is a member of the Colorado Bar Association.

Ms. Yager practices in our Denver office and may be reached directly at 303.297.7270 or at dawn.yager@ritsema-lyon.com.

Rich A. Bovarnick

Mr. Bovarnick is a native of Washington state where he graduated from the University of Washington in 1983. He then attended the University of Denver College of Law graduating in 1986. Since graduating law school Mr. Bovarnick has solely defended insured’s and insurers in civil litigation.

Mr. Bovarnick joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2015 as a shareholder and has over 28 years of insurance defense experience. Rich has extensive experience in the civil litigation field defending insured’s in premises, auto and truck liability, and insurers on coverage issues and employers on workers’ compensation. He has litigated cases before both the state and federal courts in Colorado and in a majority of the counties in Colorado. In addition, Mr. Bovarnick is licensed and defends the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Tribal Court. He is a frequent speaker on advanced workers’ compensation issues, trial tactics and the interplay of FMLA, ADA, and workers' compensation at insurance seminars and continuing legal education seminars.

Mr. Bovarnick practices in our Denver office and can be reached at 303.297.7283 or rich.bovarnick@ritsema-lyon.com.

Michael A. Desaulniers

Mr. Desaulniers joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2015 as an associate and brings more than 13 years of workers’ compensation experience to the firm. He was admitted to the Colorado Bar Association in 1993 and began practicing law as a prosecutor for the 10th Judicial District litigating cases ranging from DUI to First-Degree Murder. After nine years as a prosecutor he entered private practice representing claimants in workers’ compensation claims and Social Security disability claims.

Mr. Desaulniers is past president of the Pueblo County Bar Association and served six years on the executive committee. He also acted as Judge Pro Tem for the City of Pueblo Municipal Court from 2010 to 2012. He has litigated cases in Colorado district and county courts, the United States District Court, The Colorado Division of Administrative Hearings and the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals.

Mr. Desaulniers is licensed in the states of Colorado, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Desaulniers practices in our Denver office and may be reached directly at 303.297.7271 or at michael.desaulniers@ritsema-lyon.com.

Diane K. Murley

Diane K. Murley joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2015 as an associate. She has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 1981. Her legal work has focused primarily on defense of workers’ compensation matters. In 1993 she enrolled at the University of Washington to obtain her Library Degree. After her graduation she worked as a law librarian at several universities, specializing in legal research and online services. Ms. Murley has taught legal research to law students and other graduate students, and has made presentations to lawyers, paralegals, and law librarians. She has written for a number of publications including a quarterly column on technology for Law Library Journal. Ms. Murley returned to the practice of law in 2009, with an emphasis on workers’ compensation defense and continues to focus her practice on this area of law.

Ms. Murley received her B.S. from Augustana College and her J.D. from the University of South Dakota. She was licensed in South Dakota in 1980, Colorado in 1981, and in Washington in 1987. She has also been admitted to practice before a number of United States District Courts and Courts of Appeals, and in 1989 she was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She is a member of the Colorado and Denver bar associations.

Ms. Murley practices in our Denver office and can be contacted at 303.297.7273 or diane.murley@ritsema-lyon.com.

Margaret "Maggie" Wesley

Ms. Wesley joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2015 and practices exclusively in the field of workers’ compensation defense. Ms. Wesley provides a client-centered approach and applies innovative and effective problem-solving to complex legal issues. Ms. Wesley is committed to the firm’s core values of outstanding professionalism, client responsiveness, and a results-driven practice.

Ms. Wesley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2007. Prior to law school, she worked as the program director for the Center for People with Disabilities in Boulder, CO, assisting adults with disabilities in transitioning to living independently.

Ms. Wesley received her Juris Doctorate in 2013 from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. During law school, Ms. Wesley was a member of the Community and Economic Development Clinic, where she served as student counsel for small businesses and non-profits in the areas of employment, contracts, and business law. She also worked for both the Office of General Counsel at Colorado State University and the Honorable Robert McGahey in Denver District Court, and was able to strengthen her litigation skills as a student attorney with the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office.

Before joining Ritsema & Lyon, Ms. Wesley clerked for the Honorable Thomas French in Larimer County District Court where she assisted the Judge with civil, criminal, domestic relations, and mental health dockets. She is a member of the Colorado Bar and Larimer County Bar Associations and licensed to practice in Colorado.

Ms. Wesley practices in our Fort Collins office and may be reached directly at 970.204.9056 or Maggie.Wesley@Ritsema-Lyon.com.

David R. Bennett

A fifth generation Colorado native, Mr. Bennett joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2015. His practice focuses on defense of insurance carriers and self-insured employers in worker’s compensation claims. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Mr. Bennett clerked for the Honorable Michael H. Berger on the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Mr. Bennett is committed to providing each client the "small firm experience" through personalized attention in every case, a thorough analysis of the facts and law, and effective and creative solutions for each situation.

Mr. Bennett received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and his master’s degree from Brandeis University. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado Law School. During law school, Mr. Bennett clerked for the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts, which hears workers' compensation claims in Colorado. Mr. Bennett is also a member of the Colorado Bar Association.

Mr. Bennett practices in our Denver office and may be reached directly at 303.297.7261 or David.Bennett@Ritsema-Lyon.com.

Danielle L. Jones

Ms. Jones joined Ritsema & Lyon as an associate in 2016. Ms. Jones practices primarily in the area of workers' compensation. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Ms. Jones was an Assistant Attorney General for the Nebraska Department of Justice. Ms. Jones represented Nebraska in general civil litigation matters.

Ms. Jones received her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, and her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law, where she was a member of the Order of Barristers. Ms. Jones is admitted to practice in Nebraska state and federal courts and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys and Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court.

Ms. Jones serves clients from Ritsema & Lyon's Omaha office and may be reached at 402.201.2326 or at danielle.jones@ritsema-lyon.com.

Megan E. Ihle

A Colorado native, Ms. Ihle joined Ritsema 7 Lyon in 2016. Her practice focuses on defense of insurance carriers and self-insured employers in worker’s compensation claims. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Ms. Ihle worked as a workers’ compensation claimant’s attorney in Denver, Colorado.

Ms. Ihle received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She then went on to study law at the University of Wyoming. While attending law school she participated in the Defender Aid clinic. Ms. Ihle stayed in Wyoming and practiced insurance defense, focusing on construction defect, property law, and trust and estates. She has litigated cases in Wyoming circuit court and The Colorado Division of Administrative Hearings.

She is currently licensed in the states of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming.

Ms. Ihle will primarily focus her practice on workers’ compensation defense. She is located at the Denver office and can be reached at 303-297-7274 or megan.ihle@ritsema-lyon.com.

Kristin A. Caruso

Ms. Caruso joined Ritsema & Lyon as a shareholder in 2015. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon she was a partner at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith and before that she was with McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter for over ten years. Ms. Caruso practices litigation in the area of workers' compensation defense. There is no issue or claim in workers' compensation law or procedure that Ms. Caruso has not analyzed for employers and their insurers. From risk management counseling to defense of claims to appeals, her practice covers all aspects, including: Employers/Insurers in Workers' Compensation Claims, Administrative Penalties, Bad Faith Claims, Arbitration, Mediation, Settlement, Appeals, Subrogation, Complex Case Analysis and Evaluation, Remedial Writs, Exclusivity of Remedy, Specialized Services, Medicare Secondary Payer Act and Complex Structured Settlements, Conditional Payments and Appeals, and Legislation. She has litigated numerous workers' compensation cases for various insurance companies and large self insured companies, and argued appellate issues in all of Colorado's appellate courts.

Ms. Caruso graduated from Cornell University in 1998, and University of Denver, M.B.A. and J.D. in 2001. She has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and recognized as a 5280 Top Lawyer by 5280 Magazine for 2015.

Ms. Caruso focuses her practice on workers’ compensation defense. She is located at the Denver office and can be reached at 303.297.7290 or Kristin.Caruso@Ritsema-Lyon.com.

Craig E. Campos

Mr. Campos joined Ritsema & Lyon, P.C. in 2016 as an associate in the firm’s Fort Collins office. He is licensed to practice in Colorado and practices exclusively in the area of workers' compensation defense.  Mr. Campos obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 2006 with degrees in Political Science and History and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2010.  Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Mr. Campos worked for a debt settlement company, advising clients who were facing debt collection lawsuits.

Mr. Campos is committed to the firm’s core values of outstanding professionalism, client responsiveness, and a results-driven practice.

Mr. Campos practices in our Fort Collins office and may be reached directly at 970.204.9056 or craig.campos@ritsema-lyon.com.

M. Holly Colvin

Holly Colvin joined Ritsema & Lyon, P.C. in 2016 and practices workers’ compensation defense and general liability defense.  Before moving to Colorado, Ms. Colvin was a Litigation Associate with Fee, Smith, Sharp, & Vitullo, LLP (FSSV) in Dallas, Texas.  As a Litigation Associate, she served as defense counsel for cases involving dram shop liability, product liability, construction defects and trucking accidents.  She also secured defense verdicts as second chair in three multi-million dollar jury trials.  Prior to joining FSSV, she clerked for the Honorable Judge Hoffman in the 68^th Civil District Court in Dallas.  Ms. Colvin started her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Dorchester County, South Carolina and gained valuable trial experience prosecuting juveniles, criminal domestic violence and worthless check offenders.

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Ms. Colvin attended the Charleston School of Law and was Articles Editor of the Federal Courts Law Review.  She went to undergraduate school at the University of Georgia and graduated with honors.  Ms. Colvin is a member of the Colorado, South Carolina and Texas Bar Associations.

Ms. Colvin practices in our Denver office and can be reached at 303.675.4416 or holly.colvin@ritsema-lyon.com.  

Keith D. Orgel

Keith Orgel joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2017.  His practice focuses on insurance defense of workers’ compensation carriers and self-insured employers.  Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Keith worked as a workers’ compensation attorney for White and Steele.

Mr. Orgel received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina where he graduated cum laude with high distinction in history.  He then attended Wake Forest University Law School where he was an editor of the Wake Forest Law Review.  He graduated in 2012 and returned to Colorado to practice.

Mr. Orgel is currently licensed in the states of Colorado and Utah as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.  He continues to focus on his workers’ compensation practice in the Denver office. Keith can be reached at 303.675.4400 or Keith.Orgel@Ritsema-Lyon.com.

Sarah A. Popp

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Popp worked for a workers’ compensation defense firm and in-house for an insurance carrier.Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Popp worked for a workers’ compensation defense firm and in-house for an insurance carrier.

Ms. Popp received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Denver and went on to study law at the University of South Dakota.

She is licensed to practice law in Colorado.

Based in our Denver office, Ms. Popp may be reached directly at 303.675.4413 or at sarah.popp@ritsema-lyon.com,

Danielle A. Haulman

A Colorado native, Ms. Haulman joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2017. Her practice focuses on workers’ compensation defense. Prior to joining Ritsema & Lyon, Ms. Haulman clerked for the Honorable Judge Blanco of the 8^th Judicial District of Colorado.

Ms. Haulman received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis. She then went on to study law at the University of California at Davis. While attending law school she was a member of the Honors Moot Court Board, received Witkin Awards in Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy, and externed for the California Supreme Court Capital Central Staff. Ms. Haulman graduated in 2016 and returned to Colorado to practice. Ms. Haulman is a member of the Colorado Bar Association. 

Ms. Haulman is licensed to practice in Colorado. She is located at the Denver Office and can be reached at 303.297.7294 or Danielle.Haulman@Ritsema-Lyon.com.

Gabriel "Gabe" Kalousek

Mr. Kalousek joined Ritsema & Lyon in 2017 as an associate. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Kalousek was a Deputy District Attorney for the Tenth Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He litigated cases ranging from speeding tickets to attempted first-degree murder. He also drafted appellate briefs and has experience in personal injury litigation. 

Mr. Kalousek earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Colorado State University in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law with honors in 2014. He is licensed to practice in Colorado and Wyoming. 

Mr. Kalousek is licensed to practice in Colorado and is located at the Fort Collins Office. He can be reached at 970.204.6739 or Gabe.Kalousek@Ritsema-Lyon.com.