Griffiths Law PC

Suzanne Griffiths

Suzanne Griffiths is the President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Griffiths Law PC. With over 40 years of experience, Ms. Griffiths’ unrivaled focus, creative case strategy, and attention to detail make her a very highly sought after litigator in her the field of family law. Super Lawyers listed Suzanne Griffiths as one of the top 50 women and top 100 lawyers for the Super Lawyers list in 2017-2023. In Denver, 5280 Magazine selected Suzanne as one of Denver’s Top Lawyers for 2016-2023. She also was awarded Most Admired CEO for 2022 by DBJ Magazine. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America. She received the Outstanding Women in Business award in the large business category from the Denver Business Journal in August 2016. She was voted a Lawyer of the Year by CO Law Week in 2016. Additionally, Suzanne was voted as Barrister’s Best “Family Law Lawyer” in Colorado in 2013-2022. CO Law Week described Suzanne as a “tenacious litigator and advocate” and also called her a “financial wizard and skilled negotiator.” Not to mention, her law firm, was most recently awarded 2022 Denver Business Journal’s Small Business Award Winner. The firm was also voted as the Top Company for professional services in 2015 by Colorado Business Magazine, and COMPANY OF THE YEAR in the small business sector in 2015 by Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Suzanne has earned the highest possible AVVO rating, 10 out of 10. She also holds a pre-eminent AV-rating, the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell rating. In addition to authoring numerous professional articles, Suzanne appeared on the “Dr. Phil Show” numerous times during the series “The Anatomy of Divorce”, a three-part series filmed in Hollywood and Denver. She was also recently featured in the O Oprah magazine as well as Entrepreneur magazine. She has given several presentations on family law to national audiences. Lastly, Suzanne was a finalist for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 2018. In addition to representing clients in the Denver and Colorado courts, she has been admitted to practice in federal court. She is a member in good standing of the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, where she is also a Foundation Fellow, and the American Bar Association. Suzanne received her degree from the University of Cape Town in 1978. She practiced in South Africa for 15 years before coming to the United States where she was granted permanent U.S. residency on account of her extraordinary ability in the field of family law.

Education: University of Cape Town, LL.B. , University of Cape Town, B.A.

Certifications: Denver Bar Association , Colorado Bar Association , American Bar Association

Services: Family Law

Duncan Griffiths

Duncan focuses his practice on difficult and complex civil litigation and family law matters. He has significant experience in a variety of fields including construction defect, insurance, real estate and commercial litigation. He also assists with complicated domestic relations matters, and is especially useful in complicated property situations, or when there are concurrent civil lawsuits, receiverships, business torts or partnership dissolutions. Duncan’s work has led him to represent a wide array of clients who have included individuals, companies, homeowners, business owners, owners’ associations, special districts, commercial building owners, medical centers, warehouses and storage facilities, and marijuana grow businesses. His expertise in most forms of civil and commercial disputes, including claims for breach of contract, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation, and nondisclosure, make him a formidable litigator, but he is as well known for his creative solution finding as he is for his prowess in the courtroom. This is especially helpful in domestic relations cases when clients want someone who can litigate – if they have to – but who is adept at finding settlement without litigating. Duncan is a problem solver and is known for his ability to think outside the box, finding solutions where conflict seemed intractable. Duncan relies on his significant background in business and his experience with expert witnesses when it comes to complex matters. He is adept at quickly understanding each client’s financial situation in order to advise them on the best possible course forward. When it comes to trial, through careful deliberation and preparation, Duncan is able to cross-examine expert witnesses on complicated and nuanced matters, often understanding the substance as well or better than the witnesses themselves. This can often make the difference between success and failure for clients where both parties retain qualified and articulate experts to represent their position. In having resolved over sixty large cases ranging in value from $50,000 to as much as $13.5 million, Duncan has overall recovered in excess of $50 million in damages for his clients after attorney fees and litigation costs were paid. Duncan’s track record has a significant value for his clients who can have confidence that he will zealously represent their interests and obtain the best possible solution whether through settlement or trial. Outside of work, Duncan enjoys traveling the world and visiting new places with his wife. Duncan enjoys most activities that Colorado has to offer, but he is especially fond of golf and ice hockey.

Education: University of Colorado Law School, J.D. , University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, B.S. in Business Administration-Finance

Services: Civil Litigation , Complex Family and Financial Asset Cases

Christopher Griffiths

Chris is a shareholder at Griffiths Law PC and focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and family law matters. His civil litigation practice focuses on construction, insurance, real estate, commercial, and business disputes. His family law practice focuses on divorce and related domestic relations matters. Chris represents a variety of clients including individuals and companies facing complicated and difficult problems. In his civil practice, Chris has represented clients from all parts of Colorado and Texas including individuals, community associations, property owners, and businesses. Chris has experience litigating complex civil disputes concerning construction defects, insurance, real estate, and other related matters such as bad faith, nondisclosure, misrepresentation, and fraud. In his family law practice, Chris has experience representing clients faced with difficult, life-changing decisions concerning all aspects of divorce including complex financial affairs, parenting time, maintenance, and decision making. Chris has assisted in the recovery of millions of dollars on behalf of his and his firm’s clients in Colorado and Texas. He has been named to the Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star list and has written and presented on topics ranging from the division of restricted stock in divorce to the laws concerning construction defects to insurance coverage issues related to construction litigation. Outside of work, Chris loves to spend time with his wife, Shannon, and his two daughters. He also enjoys snowboarding, golfing, cycling, hiking, watching movies, and traveling.

Education: Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D., cum laude , University of Denver – Daniels College of Business, B.S.

Services: Civil Litigation , Family Law

Eliza Steinberg

Eliza Steinberg’s practice is focused exclusively on family law related matters including divorce, allocation of parental rights, post-decree disputes, and child support matters. Prior to becoming an attorney, Eliza worked as a senior paralegal under the Managing Partner, Suzanne Griffiths, on high asset, high conflict divorce cases. Eliza has extensive knowledge regarding complex financial matters in divorce including trusts, business valuation, and income analysis. Eliza is the co-author of the Colorado Bar Association’s Practitioner’s Guide to Domestic Relations Law chapter on trusts and has authored numerous articles and blogs on various family law topics. Eliza has also presented on discovery techniques, parenting issues, ethics, litigation case management techniques and case intake strategies for the National Business Institute and Institute for Paralegal Education. Eliza earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Denver, cum laude, in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. Eliza received many honors and accolades for her high academic achievement at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law including numerous scholarships and scholastic excellence awards. Eliza is a passionate advocate with substantial litigation experience, but she also brings a solution-oriented perspective to her cases.

Education: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D. , University of Denver, B.A. Political Science, cum laude

Services: Family Law

Joseph M. Maher

Joe is an experienced attorney that focuses his practice on all areas of family law. Joe understands that each client’s situation and goals are unique. By using his years of experience negotiating and trying cases, Joe helps his clients choose the best course of action in their domestic relations disputes. Joe has significant experience in all areas of family law, particularly divorce, parenting-related litigation, and other domestic relations issues. Before joining Griffiths Law, Joe completed a judicial clerkship at the trial level and worked for eight years in private practice. His practice has always focused on complex family matters that were often high conflict and had complex financial issues. Before attending law school, Joe worked with at-risk teenage youth in Chicago to develop their civic knowledge and awareness as an AmeriCorps volunteer. While in law school, he served as a Teaching Assistant and as the Articles Editor for the University of Baltimore Law Forum. Joe is licensed in the State of Colorado and the State of Maryland.

Education: University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., cum laude , Kalamazoo College, B.A., Biology

Services: Family Law

Jennifer Schaffner

Jennifer joined Griffiths Law as special counsel in 2020, where she brings her diverse legal experience to clients undergoing family transitions. At Griffiths Law, Jennifer handles a broad array of family law matters. She has a particular interest in cases that raise novel issues of law and has achieved successful outcomes for her clients in specialized areas of family law such as common law marriages, UCCJEA issues, complex financial matters, and challenging parenting time concerns. Her clients appreciate her professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively with opposing parties and counsel. While comfortable in the courtroom, she is also trained in Collaborative Law and has worked with many clients to achieve favorable results through that model of practice. An experienced appellate practitioner, Jennifer is unique in the family law bar for having handled appeals in all three appellate courts in Colorado, including the Colorado Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was recently successful in appealing the trial court’s termination of maintenance in the published case, In re Marriage of Thorstad, which involved a challenge to the termination of maintenance due to the payor’s retirement, and recently successfully defended another appeal involving a reversal in a published opinion of parenting time in which the court clarified the statutory standard for modifying parenting time following a motion to restrict. Jennifer has been licensed in Colorado since 2000 when she began her career as a transactional and litigation attorney in several large, national firms. Unique among family law attorneys for her diverse legal background, Jennifer gained valuable experience early in her career working on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and complex, commercial cases. Jennifer was first introduced to family law in her role as a staff attorney at the Colorado Court of Appeals, where she drafted appellate opinions in family law and dependency and neglect cases. Drawn to this area of practice as a way to make an immediate impact on client’s lives, Jennifer has practiced family law exclusively since 2016. Jennifer is involved in the community, having served as a volunteer in the self-represented litigant clinics in counties across the Front Range and mountains. She also volunteers her time at community “ask a lawyer” events and has served as a coach and scoring panelist for the High School Mock Trial program. In her free time, Jennifer can be found running, cycling, skiing, playing tennis, and enjoying time with her family.

Education: Wayne State University School of Law, JD, magna cum laude , University of Michigan, B.A., English, with High Distinction , Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals Training

Services: Family Law , Appeals

Danielle (Contos) Moylett

Danielle’s practice focuses on complex financial matters, parental responsibilities, interstate jurisdictional disputes, drafting and negotiating marital agreements, and challenges to and enforcement of marital agreements. In addition, Danielle has experience with various family law-related appellate matters. Danielle believes in the pursuit of settlement whenever possible, while recognizing the litigation skills are invaluable when settlement cannot be achieved. Danielle earned her J.D. from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, where she focused on her passion for family law. While in law school, Danielle had the privilege of working as a judicial intern for the Honorable Judges David Prince and Robert L. Lowrey of the 4th Judicial District. This experience provided Danielle with the opportunity to further develop her legal writing and research skills, as well as the opportunity to learn the intricacies of the legal system. Danielle has also interned with Metro Volunteer Lawyers, assisting in the Family Law Court Program. Her time there was instrumental in both expanding upon her knowledge of the divorce process, and also instilled in Danielle a desire to give back to the community.

Education: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D. , University of Colorado Denver, B.A., Sociology , Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals Training

Services: Family Law

Kaela Zihlman

Kaela Zihlman’s practice focuses on complex financial divorces, premarital agreements, and appeals. Recently, Kaela prevailed in her first appeal in the published Court of Appeals case, In re Marriage of Crouch, 2021 COA 3 (2021). Prior to joining the firm, Kaela was a Senior Associate at Willoughby & Associates where she specialized in domestic relations litigation and premarital agreements. During that time, Kaela litigated high asset dissolution of marriage cases, allocation of parental responsibilities actions, and drafted and negotiated premarital agreements. Before entering private practice, Kaela was a law clerk for the Honorable Robert L. McGahey, Jr. (Ret.) of Denver District Court. During her time at Denver District Court, Kaela learned invaluable lessons about judicial discretion, including how judges considered evidence, weighed credibility, and made decisions in cases outside of the presence of lawyer and litigants. This insight allows Kaela to advise her clients about how judges evaluate evidence in individual cases, and how their orders could differ from the settlements that clients may be able to reach. Kaela is passionate about finding the best solutions for her clients inside and outside the courtroom with a drive to help families move forward from life changes in the least harmful way possible. Outside of work, Kaela is a member of the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division where she serves as the Secretary and Chair of the Wellness Committee and is responsible for planning programming that helps young lawyers focus on their physical and mental well-being so they are empowered to provide the best services for their clients. She supports The Center in Denver, Colorado and Mount Evans Hospice in Evergreen, Colorado. Kaela’s interests include traveling (she has proudly been to all of the continents except Antarctica and cannot wait to pick up where she left off because of COVID), reading any and all books she can get her hands on, and taking in as many patio brunches in Denver as possible.

Education: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., Certificate in Constitutional Rights and Remedies , University of Colorado, B.A. in English Language and Literature

Services: Family Law

Jamie Paine

Jamie is an experienced attorney that focuses her practice on family law. With Jamie’s years of experience as an attorney, she has successfully negotiated and settled numerous domestic relations cases that resulted in favorable results for her clients. Jamie’s keen negotiation skills help her clients settle cases effectively and efficiently. In addition to Jamie’s negotiation skills, she has tried nearly 100 trials in criminal law and domestic relations. Jamie’s litigation skills set her apart as a domestic relations attorney. If Jamie cannot settle your case, she can strategically litigate it to achieve the best possible results. Jamie handles a variety of domestic relations issues. Jamie handles divorce cases and child custody disputes among parents and has dealt with several complex grandparents’ rights cases that have resulted in favorable results for her clients and the best interests of the children involved. Many people are moving to Colorado, and Jamie’s expertise includes vast knowledge of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”) to help parents navigate their legal steps when they move. Jamie’s passion in her domestic relations cases is achieving favorable results for the family and the children involved. Jamie earned her Juris Doctorate from Campbell University School of Law, cum laude, in the top 15% of her class while serving on the law review. She also earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado, cum laude, in Political Science and Communications. Jamie is passionate about volunteering and helping out in her local community. Jamie is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) who works with children when they are, unfortunately, part of the dependency and neglect system. She also volunteers to help victims of Human Trafficking by offering pro bono services to them. Jamie has never been one to turn down a challenge and loves an opportunity to thrive in her personal and professional life. Jamie is an avid weightlifter who has participated in and won several Strong Woman Competitions. She is a native of Colorado, so she enjoys all things fitness and, in her free time, spends time with her family hiking, snowboarding, and swimming.

Education: Campbell University School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude , University of Northern Colorado, B.A., Political Science and Communications, Cum Laude

Services: Family Law

Anthony Zarsky

Anthony Zarsky’s practice focuses on complex financial divorces, parental responsibilities including substance abuse issues, protection orders, cohabitation agreements, and zealous advocacy for his clients. Anthony has extensive knowledge regarding business issues, having learned at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Anthony takes an empathetic and compassionate understanding of his clients’ goals and works to achieve them by first attempting amicable resolutions, while having the skillset necessary to ardently litigate matters. Anthony is a National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) trained trial attorney and was also trained by the Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals (CCDP) to assist with collaborative divorce cases. Anthony earned his J.D. from the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, where he focused on assisting survivors of domestic violence to obtain protection orders to ensure their safety. While in law school, Anthony interned with the 4th Judicial District’s Judge Jill Brady in her domestic docket, Judge Jessica Curtis in her juvenile docket, and Magistrate Daphne Burlingame in Recovery Court, a problem-solving court for defendants struggling with substance abuse disorders. Anthony has previously worked with Project Safeguard, a non-profit organization created to assist survivors of gender-based violence to seek protection orders. Anthony has previously served as a board member for the Rose Andom Center’s Young Professionals Council Board, a non-profit organization assisting survivors of domestic violence. Anthony serves on the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors and previously served on the Colorado Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Executive Council. Outside of work, Anthony’s interests include hiking, cooking, and spoiling his cat, Preston.

Education: The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, J.D. , The University of Texas at Austin, B.A. Government and Business , Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals Training , National Institutes of Trial Advocacy, American Bar Association Family Law Trial Advocacy

Services: Family Law

Kim Newton

Kim focuses her practice on both civil litigation and family law. She works closely with Duncan and Chris Griffiths in several fields, such as real estate disputes, insurance bad faith, construction defects, commercial litigation, and other business torts. Kim enjoys problem-solving, writing, and using creative strategies to help clients overcome their legal challenges, no matter how complicated. Her clients have included individuals, homeowners, companies, business owners, and community associations. Regardless of the case, Kim prioritizes each client’s needs and approaches each task with an open mind. Kim also has considerable experience working on both civil litigation and complex family law appeals. For example, Kim was instrumental in a case involving residential real property and Colorado’s spurious lien statute. On top of obtaining a favorable result for the client, the Colorado Court of Appeals selected the outcome for publication. More recently, Kim helped a client recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in prejudgment interest after a trial court erroneously denied such relief. Before joining the firm, Kim worked as a law professor’s teaching assistant to help law students improve their legal writing skills. She also gained experience in litigation while serving as a student attorney in a consumer dispute clinic. Her law school even selected her to compete in an annual negotiation competition hosted by the American Bar Association. Finally, Kim’s ability to overcome legal obstacles primarily stems from her athletics background. She has run marathons, worked as a ski instructor, and even a contestant on American Ninja Warrior Season 7. Outside of work, Kim enjoys skiing, traveling, running with her dog, and spending time with friends and family.

Education: Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., Cum Laude , University of California – Berkeley, B.A.

Services: Civil Litigation , Family Law

Kellian Coggswell

Kellian Coggswell’s practice is focused exclusively on family law related matters, including divorce, common law marriage, allocation of parental rights, post-decree disputes, and child support. Prior to becoming an attorney, Kellian worked as a paralegal and law clerk under shareholder, Eliza Steinberg, on complex financial cases and high conflict parenting disputes. Before joining Griffiths Law, Kellian started her legal career working as a criminal defense investigator. During her time working in criminal defense, Kellian learned invaluable lessons on the complexities of the court system, the rules of evidence, and being a zealous advocate for your client. Kellian is passionate about helping those who are less fortunate and has continued volunteering throughout her schooling and career with disadvantaged populations. Most recently, Kellian volunteered with LYRIC’s Know Your Rights program, which provides education to high school students on asserting their legal rights. Kellian earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Criminal Justice, with a double minor in Political Science and Sociology. Kellian received many honors and accolades for her high academic achievement during law school, including numerous scholarships and scholastic excellence awards. When she is not working, Kellian loves hiking and backpacking around the country, working on her golf game, and trying out new restaurants.

Education: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D. , University of Northern Colorado, B.A. Criminal Justice, Minors: Sociology and Political Science

Services: Family Law

Cheyenne Somers

Cheyenne Somers’ practice is focused on complex civil litigation and family law matters. She works closely with Duncan and Christopher Griffiths in their civil litigation practice, focusing on construction, insurance, real estate, partitions, and business disputes. Her family law practice focuses on divorce, common law marriage, allocation of parental responsibilities, and related domestic relations matters. Before becoming an attorney, Cheyenne worked at Griffiths Law for six years as a paralegal, handling complex litigation cases with multiple shareholders. During her time as a paralegal, Cheyenne attended trials and focused on learning how to execute trial strategies and tactics. When she was not assisting in court, Cheyenne gained experience in various areas of law, including trusts, business organizational structures, income analysis, tax, construction defects, and principles of financial accounting. Cheyenne continued to work full-time at the firm while attending law school. Cheyenne earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific, where she played Division I soccer. During law school, Cheyenne competed as part of the Sturm College of Law’s NFL Negotiation Team, where she learned the strategy of negotiating creative deals for clients. Cheyenne also volunteered with the Virtual Pro Se Legal Clinic, where she learned how crucial it is for everyone to have access to justice. Cheyenne received many honors for high academic achievement during law school, including scholarships and scholastic excellence awards. Outside of work, Cheyenne enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys running with her dog, traveling, reading, having game nights with friends, and playing soccer.

Education: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D. , University of the Pacific, B.A. Health Exercise Sports Science, Minor: Pre Law

Services: Civil Litigation , Family Law