Lisa Shellenberger handles criminal appeals, family law matters, and Indian law issues at Smith, Shelton, Ragona & Salazar, LLC. She began working at the law firm as a Law Clerk in June, 2010, while she was finishing her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, Colorado. In 2011, she was hired on as an Associate Attorney.
Prior to coming on full-time with Smith, Shelton & Ragona, Lisa served as a Clerk for Justice Nancy E. Rice at the Colorado Supreme Court from 2010 – 2011. While working for Justice Rice, Lisa reviewed petitions for a writ of certiorari, researched the legal significance of the petitions, and made final written recommendations to the Justices as to whether the Court should accept or deny the petitions. This invaluable experience formed the basis for Lisa’s role in handling appeals at the firm.
Lisa handles some of the firm’s family law issues, including child custody and divorce or legal separation cases. Lisa also works on many Indian law issues of high importance and far-reaching impact. She has become an integral part of the firm’s team on tribal affairs. She handles tribal employment issues, tribal housing matters, writes ordinances and resolutions, advises on natural resource issues and sustainable development, and assists on a myriad of additional Indian law matters.
During law school, Lisa represented a number of individuals and entities as a Student Attorney in the American Indian Law Clinic in her second year at CU. As a result of dedicated representation, Lisa graduated the clinic with honors and received the ‘Excellence in Clinical Education Award.’ She also spent some time working in corporate law, when she served as a Law Clerk in the Legal Department of Qwest Communications, Inc., in Denver, Colorado.
Lisa completed her undergraduate degree at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She first began her professional career working in advertising and public relations. After gaining experience in the creative industry, Lisa looked to begin a new career in law.
Lisa is an Oklahoma Native, and she is a member of the Choctaw Nation. Lisa is a competitive triathlete. In the off-season, Lisa continues to spend most of her spare time enjoying the Colorado outdoors. She is an avid skier, hiker, mountain biker, rock climber, equestrian rider and enthusiast of many team sports as well.