Emma K. Knight

Senior Associate

Emma Knight’s practice focuses on insurance defense and civil litigation.  Ms. Knight is experienced with all phases of litigation related to motor vehicle accidents, premises liability actions, construction defect claims, and dram shop actions.  In the insurance arena, she frequently defends carriers facing claims of UM/UIM breach of contract, common law bad faith, and statutory bad faith.  Ms. Knight is also experienced in the energy and natural resources industry, having counseled individuals and businesses on issues related to surface and mineral rights and oil and gas estates.

While attending the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Ms. Knight was a Staff Editor for the Transportation Law Journal and Service Coordinator for the National Renewable Energy Law Society.  In addition to a Juris Doctorate degree, Ms. Knight earned a Master of Resources Law Studies specializing in Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy Law and Policy and Environmental Law and Policy.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2016
  • North Dakota (inactive), 2019
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2014
MRLS: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Resources Law Studies, 2011
BS: University of Wisconsin, 2009, Spanish Language and Literature
Certificate: European Studies, University of Wisconsin, 2009

Contact

knighte@hallevans.com

More About
Emma

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Staff Editor, University of Denver Sturm College of Law’s Transportation Law Journal, 2013-2014
Professional Associations
  • Arapahoe County Bar Association
Business & Community Service
  • Volunteer, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2011-2021
Blog Posts About Emma

W. Andrew Figel

Counsel

Andrew Figel is an experienced attorney with more than two decades of litigation and transactional experience.  Mr. Figel’s litigation practice is focused on the areas of construction and design throughout Colorado and Wyoming.  He has successfully defended contractors, architects, engineers, and other construction professionals in complex construction defect matters and contract disputes. Additionally, he has assisted contractors and suppliers with filing mechanic’s liens and pursuing lien foreclosure and payment bond actions.

Mr. Figel also has extensive experience in personal injury defense, including defending business owners, property managers, and contractors in premises liability actions.

On the transactional side of his practice, Mr. Figel assists with commercial leases, confidentiality agreements, employment and consulting agreements, organizational documents, and shareholder and ownership agreements for corporations and limited liability companies.

Before private practice, Mr. Figel served as subrogation counsel for a national insurance carrier.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 1998
  • Wyoming, 2021
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: Villanova University School of Law, 1998
BS: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, 1995, Finance, Dean’s List

Contact

figela@hallevans.com

More About
Andrew

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Decisions
  • Fowler & Peth, Inc. v. Regan, 151 P.3d 1281 (Colo. 2007)
  • In re Regan, 477 F.3d 1209 (10th Cir. 2007)
Blog Posts About Andrew

Susan G. Ridgeway

Senior Counsel

Susan Ridgeway’s practice emphasizes civil litigation and surrogacy and reproductive donation law.

Susan is an experienced litigator in both state and federal court and has a solid record of achieving proactive and cost-efficient resolutions for her clients, both in and out of court.

Her services typically involve real property (design, construction, development, management, sale, foreclosure), health care (professional employment, HIPAA compliance, business and software agreements, fertility law), and defense of legal malpractice claims.  She has represented large and small businesses and individuals in a wide range of matters. 

For the last fifteen years, a portion of Susan’s practice has been dedicated to establishing and protecting family rights in assisted reproductive technology arrangements.  She has obtained remedies for LGBTQ+ parents and their children, including two groundbreaking Montana Supreme Court decisions, routinely represents parties in surrogacy and gamete or embryo donation arrangements, and is recognized as a fertility law authority in Montana.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1991
  • Washington (inactive), 1992
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana

Location

Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802

Education

JD: University of Montana, 1990, with honors
BA: University of Montana, 1984, History, with honors

Contact

ridgeways@hallevans.com

More About
Susan

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Family Law, 2024-2025; Commercial Litigation, 2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Civil Litigation: Defense, 2020, 2022-2024; Business Litigation, 2021
  • University of Montana School of Law, Guest Lecturer, 2016-present
Professional Experience
  • Partner, Axilon Law, Missoula, Montana, 2015-2021
  • Solo Practitioner, Missoula, Montana, 2000-2015
  • Associate Attorney, Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C., Missoula, Montana, 1995-2000
  • Assistant Attorney General, State of Washington, Spokane, Washington, 1992-1995
  • Judicial Law Clerk, Washington State Court of Appeals, Seattle, Washington, 1990-1992
Professional Associations
  • American Bar Association, Litigation and Assisted Reproductive Technologies Groups
  • American Academy of Reproductive Technology Attorneys, Fellow
  • Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar Association
  • Society for Ethical Egg Donation and Surrogacy
  • State Bar of Montana
Business & Community Service
  • Friends of Missoula Parks, Board Member, 2016-present
  • Missoula City Parks and Recreation, Board Member, 2013-2016
  • Missoula County Public Schools, Writing Coach or Policy Committee Member, 2010-2013
  • Missoula Strikers Soccer Association, Team Manager, Assistant Coach, or Referee 2005-2011
  • Missoula Community School, Board Member, 2001-2002
  • Blue Mountain Clinic, Board Member, 1996-1999
Other Activities
  • Susan enjoys cycling, mountain biking, and playing ice hockey with friends.
Blog Posts About Susan

Heather A. Thomas

Member

Heather Thomas is an experienced trial attorney focused on achieving her clients’ goals and objectives for litigation whether it be trying a case to verdict or reaching an early and efficient resolution. Heather began her career working for her father’s construction supply company and now, she represents and defends builders, contractors and design professionals in various construction disputes and litigation.

Heather also worked as field counsel for a Fortune 500 Global Insurance Company where she was one of two attorneys in the Denver office approved to handle and defend clients against high exposure, million-dollar claims, including products liability and catastrophic personal injury claims. As field counsel, Heather appeared on behalf of her clients in courtrooms throughout the State of Colorado, including the U. S. District Court for the District of Colorado. In 2018, Heather served as first chair in a ski collision case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado where the jury determined the plaintiff was 49% at fault for her alleged injuries and damages.

Upon moving to Hall & Evans, Heather’s practice now includes representation of homeowner associations in various commercial disputes. Regardless of the type of case, Heather’s experience now allows her to evaluate and develop strategies early in the representation of her clients to determine how best to garner the most leverage and resolve the case in a manner most optimal for her clients. Early evaluation and case management help Heather to steer her cases to the best possible outcome for the client, whether it be litigation, mediation or settlement.

Heather communicates with her clients often during any case to ensure she understands their concerns and goals, and that they are keenly aware of the status of the matter throughout the litigation. Heather also evaluates the claims against her clients to assist with developing the evidence in a way most helpful in obtaining leverage in any given case whether it be via testimony or motions practice to gain a tactical advantage whether it be for trial or settlement. Heather is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated attorney who welcomes new challenges and clients to her practice.

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2001

LLM: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2009, Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy

BS: Colorado State University, 1995, Natural Resources Management, Minor in Economics

Contact

thomash@hallevans.com

More About
Heather

Resume

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Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Decisions
  • Patricia Klug v. E.B., a minor, 1:14-cv-03185-WYD (D. Colo. 2018)
Appeals
  • Munger v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 174 P.3d 563 (Colo. App. 2007)
Professional Associations
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • National Ski Patrol
  • Home Builders Foundation, Board Member, 2013-2020
  • Home Builders Association, Government Affairs Committee, 2013-2016
  • Metro Housing Coalition, Board Member, 2013-2016
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “A Perfect Marriage: Resiliency and Insurability,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Construction Conference, June 2020
Blog Posts About Heather

Alexandria L. Bell

Member

Alexandria Bell is an experienced trial attorney focusing on civil defense litigation. For 10 years, she practiced in a regional firm in Chicago, Illinois, where she successfully litigated civil rights and police misconduct cases for the City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, including numerous federal jury trials. Mrs. Bell’s practice also involved litigating commercial disputes involving issues of breach of contract, trade secrets and protection of business proprietary information. She litigated (nationally) complex design and manufacturing defect product liability matters involving large power tool manufacturers. Defended food suppliers and restaurants in food poisoning cases involving serious permanent injuries. She also managed all aspects of medical malpractice trial litigation defending top Chicago hospitals and their respective doctors and staff.

In November of 2018, Mrs. Bell moved to Colorado, where she continues to litigate claims against public entities and officials and various governing boards related to both tort and constitutional claims in federal and state courts. Mrs. Bell’s general litigation practice continues to encompass defense of commercial, catastrophic personal injury, and construction defect matters.

Mrs. Bell is a member of the American Bar Associations, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2016
  • Illinois (inactive), 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: DePaul University College of Law, 2008, Dean’s List
BA: Michigan State University, James Madison College, 2003, International Relations, cum laude

Contact

bella@hallevans.com

More About
Alexandria

Resume

Linkedin

Decisions
  • Brito v. Brown., 20-cv-30024 (Montezuma County, Colo.) (judgment for defendant on motion to dismiss following an evidentiary Trinity hearing)
  • Boulter v. Town of LaSalle, et al., 20-cv-2089-KLM (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • San Agustin v. El Paso Cty. et al., 18-cv-2646-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • Pizzo v. HGLK, LLC, 18-cv-31783 (Jefferson County, Colo.) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Johnson v. Barnes, et al., 17-cv-2346-MSK-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Janetos v. Fulton Friedman & Gullace, LLP, et al., 12-cv-1473 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful class action settlement reached)
  • Thull v. Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd., et al., 11-cv-2368-PAM-LIB (U.S. District Court, D. Minnesota) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Grant-Hall v. Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC, et al., 11-cv-1832 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (class certification denied; judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Cartwright v. City of Chicago, et.al., 09-cv-4298 U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Willis v. Lepine, et al., 09-cv-4208 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Whitehead v. Bond, et al., 09-cv-3765 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Calhoun v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-2200 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Williams v. Dieball, et al., 09-cv-5 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Harris v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-1260 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Jones v. Schulz, et al., 09-cv1136 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Cortez v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-653 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Smith v. Fulton, et al., 09-cv-373 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • GSI Technologies, LLC v. Tyco Electronics Corp. 08-cv-901 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful case resolution following filing of a motion for partial summary judgment)
  • Sanchez v. City of Chicago, et al., 08-cv-2735 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • American Bar Association
  • DRI
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Emerging Lawyers℠, Law Bulletin Media, 2015-2018
Languages
  • Ukrainian
  • Russian
Blog Posts About Alexandria

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