ABOUT ELIZABETH
While Elizabeth’s experience is broad, she specializes in advising employers on most aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including:
• claims of discrimination and harassment
• wage and hour violations
• retaliatory discharge
• disability and family leave issues
• whistleblower claims and protections
• wrongful termination
• employment contracts and separation agreements
• responding to workplace complaints and conducting internal investigations.
In addition, she advises executives and managers in matters relating to restrictive covenant agreements, internal investigations, employment agreements, and separation agreements.
Elizabeth is a practical problem-solver. When representing businesses, she understands that good corporate employment practices start with a legal strategy that is closely aligned with operational goals, implementing policies, programs and solutions designed to maximize and retain talent in a highly competitive labor market. When working with executives, she combines her years of experience negotiating and drafting employment and separation agreements with a pragmatic approach driven by client-identified goals.
Elizabeth invests in her clients by cultivating long-term relationships and knowing her clients’ businesses. This positions her to better understand the workplace issues her clients confront and to respond to their needs with customized, practical solutions.
Representative Experience
- Provided advice and counsel to employers relating to onboarding processes, hiring practices, and pay transparency/equal pay compliance
- Provided advice and counsel to employers relating to disciplinary matters; severance policies; and termination of managers, executives, officers and directors
- Drafted, revised and negotiated a wide variety of employment documents, including offer letters, employment agreements, commission policies, employee handbooks, severance agreements, settlement agreements, and non-compete/non-solicit/confidentiality agreements
- Advised employers regarding various compensation issues, including issues relating to payment of wages upon termination under Colorado Wage Act, employment of interns, compensation for travel time, compensation for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and provision of breaks and rest periods as required by state law
- Provided advice and counsel to employers regarding requests for FMLA leave and ADA accommodations
- Advised employers regarding best practices for hiring, complaint and termination procedures
- Conducted internal investigations regarding harassment, bullying, discrimination, fraud and violation of company policy
- Represented employees and executives in relation to internal investigations, employment agreements, restrictive covenant/confidentiality agreements, and separation/severance agreements
- Advised clients regarding compliance with website accessibility requirements of the ADA
- Hollmotz v. Uzin Utz North American, Inc., No. 2019 CV 31031 (Adams Cty. Dist. Ct. Colo. March 27, 2020). Defended manufacturer against claims of breach of contract and promissory estoppel
- Represented real estate brokerage in six-day trial concerning enforcement of restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets and interference with contractual relations
- Represented employers in disputes and lawsuits relating to theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with contractual relations or prospective business advantage, and enforcement of restrictive covenants
- Represented privately held company in arbitration regarding challenge to redemption value of units
- Represented industrial services provider in dispute with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment relating to unemployment insurance taxes
- Represented land owner in dispute over easement and alleged partnership agreement to jointly operate neighboring ranches
- Represented commercial tenant in dispute with landlord regarding claims of breach of covenant of quiet enjoyment and express lease terms, and constructive eviction
- Represented employers in numerous discrimination and/or retaliation lawsuits arising under Title VII, the FMLA and FLSA, and various state laws
- Defended lawsuits, including a class action, claiming violations of the Telephone Communications Privacy Act (“TCPA”)
- Defended lawsuits, including a class action, claiming violations of provisions of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requiring that websites be accessible to persons with visual impairments
Profile
- University of Texas School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
- Order of the Coif
- Review of Litigation, Editor
- Dartmouth College (B.A., cum laude)
- The Dartmouth, Editor
- American Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Law Section
- Litigation Section
- Colorado Bar Association
- Executive Council for Litigation Section
- Texas Bar Association
- “Managing Pay Transparency in the Workplace,” Co-Presenter, Mile High SHRM Webinar (December 7, 2021)
- “Colorado Round Up,” Presenter, 2021 Employment Law Tool Kit Two-Part Webinar Series: Session 2: More Issues for All Employers and State-Specific Updates (November 18, 2021)
- “CMS Announces Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Facilities,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (November 9, 2021)
- “Employers Urged to Prepare for Shot Mandate,” Quoted, Business Insurance (October 5, 2021)
- “Employers Struggle to Digest Biden’s Proposed Vaccine Mandate,” Quoted, Business Insurance (September 14, 2021)
- “Full FDA Approval Provides Employers a Stronger Shield for Vaccine Mandates,” Quoted, Denver Post (August 24, 2021)
- “Biden’s Attack on Noncompetes Raises Concerns for Brokerages,” Quoted, Business Insurance (July 27, 2021)
- “States May Offer Clues on Future of Non-Competes as Employers Await FTC Action,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (July 23, 2021)
- “President Biden Issues Executive Order Encouraging Federal Rule Makers to Limit or Ban Non-Competes,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 19, 2021)
- “Tracking the Trends in Employment Law,” Presenter, YPO Retail and Franchise Networks (June 22, 2021)
- “The American Rescue Plan Act: How the New Legislation Affects Employers,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 16, 2021)
- “The New Reality: The Remote Workplace Is Here—Maybe Permanently!” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 12, 2021)
- “How to Ensure Pay Equity for People of Color,” Quoted, HR Magazine (March 11, 2021)
- “Working from Home, for Good,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (February 26, 2021)
- “Employment Law Update,” Presenter, Denver Emerging Business Seminar Series (February 17, 2021)
- “Colorado Employers Struggle With Require vs. Encourage When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccinations,” Quoted, Denver Post (December 25, 2020)
- “Show Them the Money: Colorado’s New Equal Pay Law,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (December 7, 2020)
- “Rulemaking for Colorado Equal-Pay Causing Heartburn for Multistate Employers,” Quoted, Denver Business Journal (October 29, 2020)
- “Regional Roundup: A State-Focused Look at Covered Topics,” Panelist, 2020 Employment Law Tool Kit Three-Part Webinar Series: Session 1: Issues for All Employers (October 20, 2020)
- “Pandemic and Social Justice Issues Prompt Pay-Equity Audits,” Quoted, HR Magazine (October 5, 2020)
- “Trending Claims and Litigation Strategies: Current Tactics for Keeping Would-Be Adversaries at Bay,” Panelist, CBA-CLE Colorado Litigators’ Summit (September 25, 2020)
- “Trends in Pandemic-Related Employment Law Claims,” Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer 2020 Year-End CLE Series (August 18, 2020)
- “President Trump’s Four Executive Actions Extend Certain Coronavirus Relief Programs, but Create Legal Uncertainty,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (August 11, 2020)
- “‘Not Too Late’ to Prepare for Colorado’s Equal Pay Law,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (August 6, 2020)
- “Colorado Enacts the Healthy Families and Workplace Act,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 23, 2020)
- “Working from Home: The Pros, Cons and Potential Pitfalls of It Becoming Permanent,” Quoted, Denver Post (June 21, 2020)
- “Employees’ Refusal to Work Over Coronavirus Concerns,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 14, 2020)
- “Updated EEOC Guidance for Employers Permits Testing for COVID-19,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 30, 2020)
- “A Roadmap to Reopening or Resuming Business in the Midst of a Pandemic,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 22, 2020)
- “Keeping Up with Professional Development During the Pandemic,” Quoted, HR Magazine (April 13, 2020)
- “Will COVID-19 Put the Brakes on Cannabis Businesses…or Pump the Gas?” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 31, 2020)
- “Managing Business Needs During a Pandemic,” Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Teleconference (March 24, 2020)
- “Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of the Employment Provisions of the New Law,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 19, 2020)
- “Coronavirus Outbreak Raises Tricky Workplace Legal Questions,” Quoted, Denver Post (March 17, 2020)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (March 11, 2020)
- “COVID-19 Presents Legal Issues for Employers,” Quoted, BizWest (March 9, 2020)
- “Is Your Website Accessible? Number of ADA Title III Lawsuits on the Rise,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 18, 2020)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Mi Casa Resource Center (November 19, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and Restrictive Covenants in Colorado,” Co-Presenter, Employment Law Conference (October 3, 2019)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Women’s Bar Association CLE Event (October 2, 2019) (Workshop created and delivered by Diana Mead and Elizabeth Wylie to teach negotiation skills to women following passage of Colorado Equal Pay Act)
- “Use of Demonstrative Evidence at Trial: Means and Methods,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Litigators’ Summit (September 27, 2019)
- “Many Stories, One Vision,” Moderator, Women’s Foundation of Colorado PEP Committee Breakfast (September 17, 2019)
- “EEO-1 Deadline: Reporting Wage Information,” Author, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Blog (September 12, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and the Protection of Proprietary Business Information in Colorado,” Co-Presenter, Business Law Institute, Colorado Bar Association (September 12, 2019)
- “‘Ban the Box’ Begins,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (September 2, 2019)
- “Law Banning Initial Inquiries Into Colorado Job Seekers’ Criminal Histories Takes Effect Sept. 1,” Quoted, Denver Business Journal (August 30, 2019)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Women’s Foundation of Colorado (August 22, 2019)
- “HR Compliance a Running Theme in Passed Bills,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (May 13, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and Restrictive Covenants in Colorado,” Presenter, Colorado Bar Association (January 2019)
- “Maintaining the Brain Trust: The Why, What, When, Where, and How of Mental Health Accommodation,” Presenter, FedEx Express Global Learning Institute (November 2018)
- “Anatomy of an Investigation,” Presenter, Mile High Society for Human Resource Management (October 2018)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2022-2023)
- Colorado Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor (2022)
- Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (2021)
- Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®
- 100 Women Who Inspire Us, American Bar Association Litigation Section (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year, Law Week Colorado (2019)
- Women’s Foundation of Colorado
- Board of Trustees (Present)
- PEP Committee, Co-Chair (2018-Present)
- Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member (2020-2022)
- Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program
- Mentor (2019)
- Colorado High School Mock Trial Program
- Coach (2018-2021)
- Susan G. Komen Foundation Colorado
- Board of Directors (2015-2017)
- Downtown Denver Partnership
- Jury Awards Commission (2017)
- Legal Center for People with Disabilities
- Volunteer Attorney (2000-2001)
- Colorado
- Texas
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court, District of Colorado
- United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
Profile
- University of Texas School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
- Order of the Coif
- Review of Litigation, Editor
- Dartmouth College (B.A., cum laude)
- The Dartmouth, Editor
- American Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Law Section
- Litigation Section
- Colorado Bar Association
- Executive Council for Litigation Section
- Texas Bar Association
- “Managing Pay Transparency in the Workplace,” Co-Presenter, Mile High SHRM Webinar (December 7, 2021)
- “Colorado Round Up,” Presenter, 2021 Employment Law Tool Kit Two-Part Webinar Series: Session 2: More Issues for All Employers and State-Specific Updates (November 18, 2021)
- “CMS Announces Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Facilities,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (November 9, 2021)
- “Employers Urged to Prepare for Shot Mandate,” Quoted, Business Insurance (October 5, 2021)
- “Employers Struggle to Digest Biden’s Proposed Vaccine Mandate,” Quoted, Business Insurance (September 14, 2021)
- “Full FDA Approval Provides Employers a Stronger Shield for Vaccine Mandates,” Quoted, Denver Post (August 24, 2021)
- “Biden’s Attack on Noncompetes Raises Concerns for Brokerages,” Quoted, Business Insurance (July 27, 2021)
- “States May Offer Clues on Future of Non-Competes as Employers Await FTC Action,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (July 23, 2021)
- “President Biden Issues Executive Order Encouraging Federal Rule Makers to Limit or Ban Non-Competes,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 19, 2021)
- “Tracking the Trends in Employment Law,” Presenter, YPO Retail and Franchise Networks (June 22, 2021)
- “The American Rescue Plan Act: How the New Legislation Affects Employers,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 16, 2021)
- “The New Reality: The Remote Workplace Is Here—Maybe Permanently!” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 12, 2021)
- “How to Ensure Pay Equity for People of Color,” Quoted, HR Magazine (March 11, 2021)
- “Working from Home, for Good,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (February 26, 2021)
- “Employment Law Update,” Presenter, Denver Emerging Business Seminar Series (February 17, 2021)
- “Colorado Employers Struggle With Require vs. Encourage When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccinations,” Quoted, Denver Post (December 25, 2020)
- “Show Them the Money: Colorado’s New Equal Pay Law,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (December 7, 2020)
- “Rulemaking for Colorado Equal-Pay Causing Heartburn for Multistate Employers,” Quoted, Denver Business Journal (October 29, 2020)
- “Regional Roundup: A State-Focused Look at Covered Topics,” Panelist, 2020 Employment Law Tool Kit Three-Part Webinar Series: Session 1: Issues for All Employers (October 20, 2020)
- “Pandemic and Social Justice Issues Prompt Pay-Equity Audits,” Quoted, HR Magazine (October 5, 2020)
- “Trending Claims and Litigation Strategies: Current Tactics for Keeping Would-Be Adversaries at Bay,” Panelist, CBA-CLE Colorado Litigators’ Summit (September 25, 2020)
- “Trends in Pandemic-Related Employment Law Claims,” Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer 2020 Year-End CLE Series (August 18, 2020)
- “President Trump’s Four Executive Actions Extend Certain Coronavirus Relief Programs, but Create Legal Uncertainty,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (August 11, 2020)
- “‘Not Too Late’ to Prepare for Colorado’s Equal Pay Law,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (August 6, 2020)
- “Colorado Enacts the Healthy Families and Workplace Act,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 23, 2020)
- “Working from Home: The Pros, Cons and Potential Pitfalls of It Becoming Permanent,” Quoted, Denver Post (June 21, 2020)
- “Employees’ Refusal to Work Over Coronavirus Concerns,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 14, 2020)
- “Updated EEOC Guidance for Employers Permits Testing for COVID-19,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 30, 2020)
- “A Roadmap to Reopening or Resuming Business in the Midst of a Pandemic,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 22, 2020)
- “Keeping Up with Professional Development During the Pandemic,” Quoted, HR Magazine (April 13, 2020)
- “Will COVID-19 Put the Brakes on Cannabis Businesses…or Pump the Gas?” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 31, 2020)
- “Managing Business Needs During a Pandemic,” Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Teleconference (March 24, 2020)
- “Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of the Employment Provisions of the New Law,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 19, 2020)
- “Coronavirus Outbreak Raises Tricky Workplace Legal Questions,” Quoted, Denver Post (March 17, 2020)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (March 11, 2020)
- “COVID-19 Presents Legal Issues for Employers,” Quoted, BizWest (March 9, 2020)
- “Is Your Website Accessible? Number of ADA Title III Lawsuits on the Rise,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 18, 2020)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Mi Casa Resource Center (November 19, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and Restrictive Covenants in Colorado,” Co-Presenter, Employment Law Conference (October 3, 2019)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Women’s Bar Association CLE Event (October 2, 2019) (Workshop created and delivered by Diana Mead and Elizabeth Wylie to teach negotiation skills to women following passage of Colorado Equal Pay Act)
- “Use of Demonstrative Evidence at Trial: Means and Methods,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Litigators’ Summit (September 27, 2019)
- “Many Stories, One Vision,” Moderator, Women’s Foundation of Colorado PEP Committee Breakfast (September 17, 2019)
- “EEO-1 Deadline: Reporting Wage Information,” Author, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Blog (September 12, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and the Protection of Proprietary Business Information in Colorado,” Co-Presenter, Business Law Institute, Colorado Bar Association (September 12, 2019)
- “‘Ban the Box’ Begins,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (September 2, 2019)
- “Law Banning Initial Inquiries Into Colorado Job Seekers’ Criminal Histories Takes Effect Sept. 1,” Quoted, Denver Business Journal (August 30, 2019)
- “Making Bank: The People’s Guide to Salary Negotiations,” Co-Presenter, Women’s Foundation of Colorado (August 22, 2019)
- “HR Compliance a Running Theme in Passed Bills,” Quoted, Law Week Colorado (May 13, 2019)
- “Jumping Ship: Employee Mobility and Restrictive Covenants in Colorado,” Presenter, Colorado Bar Association (January 2019)
- “Maintaining the Brain Trust: The Why, What, When, Where, and How of Mental Health Accommodation,” Presenter, FedEx Express Global Learning Institute (November 2018)
- “Anatomy of an Investigation,” Presenter, Mile High Society for Human Resource Management (October 2018)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2022-2023)
- Colorado Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor (2022)
- Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (2021)
- Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®
- 100 Women Who Inspire Us, American Bar Association Litigation Section (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year, Law Week Colorado (2019)
- Women’s Foundation of Colorado
- Board of Trustees (Present)
- PEP Committee, Co-Chair (2018-Present)
- Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member (2020-2022)
- Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program
- Mentor (2019)
- Colorado High School Mock Trial Program
- Coach (2018-2021)
- Susan G. Komen Foundation Colorado
- Board of Directors (2015-2017)
- Downtown Denver Partnership
- Jury Awards Commission (2017)
- Legal Center for People with Disabilities
- Volunteer Attorney (2000-2001)
- Colorado
- Texas
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court, District of Colorado
- United States District Court, Northern District of Texas