Patricia A. Riley

Partner

Pathfinder
Financial Warrior
Undaunted Advocate

To inquire about representation, please call 

303-647-4222 or tell us your story.

Patricia A. Riley

Patricia began the practice of law at one of the nation’s leading pure litigation firms.  For the next ten years, her practice encompassed a broad range of commercial litigation. Patricia leveraged her J.D./M.B.A. to secure employment on Wall Street where she honed her financial and negotiation skills structuring deals for private placement and IPO candidates.   

Subsequently, Patricia was engaged to analyze and structure a complex financial allocation in a high net worth divorce.  She was immediately and irreversibly struck by the way the child portion of the case was handled. As a mother of four herself, she knew she could do better. 

Continue reading Patricia’s story.

"I had a difficult divorce that lasted over a year. Patricia was a beast in the courtroom!"
~ Emelia
"Patricia is flat-out amazing; she responds quickly, included us in everything and prevented conflict in legal gray areas."
~ Stacy
"Patricia bypassed my narcissistic ex's legal traps, protected my child and showed the courts where the true problems lied."
~ (Name withheld)

Patricia has spent over two decades developing a finely honed skill set that prioritizes the protection of children and families in every aspect of family law practice including representation of the unmarried with children, dissolution, post-decree modifications of parenting time and support and adoptions.  Patricia is also skilled in the drafting and negotiation of premarital and post-nuptial agreements and co-habitation agreements.  If you can dream it, Patricia can draft it.   

Patricia knows that in family law, “the only way out is through” and she is passionate about shepherding clients through a process that can be financially complex and emotionally daunting at the same time.  At her core, Patricia is a skilled problem solver and loves a challenge which makes her a particularly effective and sought after mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator/decision-maker.   

While Patricia believes that the very best solutions are those that are reached outside the courtroom, when judicial resolution is required, she is a tour de force inside the courtroom.   While she understands she needs to meet her clients where they are at the moment, she consistently strives to provide them with the resources they need, and the confidence required to be the very best version of themselves when the case concludes.  

Education

Southern Methodist University School of Law, JD - Juris Doctor, 1991

Dedman Graduate School of Business, MBA - Master of Business Administration, 1991

University of Texas, BA - Bachelor of Arts, 1987

Education (optional example of additional detail)

University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., 2013

Southern Methodist University School of Law

  • J.D., May 1991, M.B.A., August 1991 
  • Completed four-year J.D./M.B.A. program in three years  

University of Texas at Austin

  • B.A., Biochemistry, December 1987

Training (unique)

  • GAL Training – 8-hour training and certification, August 2018  
  • Mediation Training – 40-hour training and certification, August 2017
  • CFI Training – 40-hour training and certification, February 2014 
  • PC/DM Training – 8-hour training and certification. May 2013 

Area of Practice

Family Law

Honors & Distinctions

  • Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers, 2021 
  • Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates, 2016 
  • Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates, 2015  
  • Am Jur Con Law I, taught by Fifth Circuit Judge  
  • Patrick E. Higginbotham; Am Jur Civil Procedure
  • Hach Scientific Foundation Scholarship, 4 years 
  • Conrad & Marcel Schlumberger Scholarship, 4 years 
  • Dean’s List 
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta, pre-med honor society

Memberships

  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Colorado chapter), Member, 2013 – 2022
  • Boulder County Interdisciplinary Committee, Member, 2011 – 2022
  • Boulder County Bar Association, Member, 2010 – 2022
  • Boulder County Bar Association, Board Member, 2018 – 2021
  • Boulder County Interdisciplinary Committee, Board Member, 2016 – 2021
  • Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member, 2010 – 2016
  • Boulder County Bar Association, Board of Directors 2018-2021
  • Boulder Interdisciplinary Committee, Board Member/Treasurer 2017-2019, Past President 2019-2020
  • Colorado Legal Services Pro Se Clinic Volunteer
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
  • Colorado Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (CoAFCC)
  • State and Federal Bars of Colorado, California, and Texas

Authorship & Presentations

  • The Florida Bar Journal, Rule 11 – A 1991 Perspective, 1991
  • Dallas Entertainment Law Section, Drafting Publishing Contracts to Protect Authors, 1991 

Activities (unique)

  • Trial Advocacy, Tax Clinic 
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Carolyn C. Witkus

Founding Partner | CFO

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Carolyn C. Witkus

Founding Partner | CFO

Download

Call

Storyteller.
Family Law Pioneer.
Passionate Advocate.

Carolyn@WZWFamilyLaw.com

Office: 303-647-4222

1720 S. Bellaire St., Suite 1010

Denver, CO 80222

WZWFamilyLaw.com