Colorado’s current Solicitor General, Shannon Stevenson, didn’t always want to be a lawyer. In fact, she resisted pursuing the law because her father was an attorney. As an undergraduate student, Stevenson was pre-med until she realized that she didn’t really enjoy biology. In the end, she attended Duke University School of Law, graduating in 2002.
While in law school, Stevenson knew she wanted to complete a clerkship, and she and her husband were considering where to apply. At the beginning of her 2L year, the dean of clerkships suggested that she submit her application to Judge David M. Ebel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Within a week, Stevenson was out in Colorado interviewing. “It just felt like such a good fit,” and after she and her husband had been here about three months, they decided to stay.
Following her clerkship, Stevenson went straight to Davis Graham & Stubbs, where she became a partner and practiced for 20 years. She loved private practice and DGS. While Stevenson considered a move to public service, she opted to stay at DGS because she was leading an important effort at the firm to fill the ranks of female attorneys. Stevenson had never worked for a female partner, so she found this work extremely fulfilling.
According to Stevenson, her current job as Colorado Solicitor General is the only job she would have left DGS for. Stevenson saw the Attorney General’s Office as an exceptional public service opportunity. She understood the significance and interest of the issues she would be involved with at the AG’s Office. She also knew that she could continue to push her appellate skills. Once Stevenson felt that her work at DGS was in good shape and she had gotten a critical mass of female partners, a number of factors coincided to make her transition to the AG’s Office the right move in 2023.
Along with the Chief Deputy, Colorado’s Solicitor General is the top lawyer to the Attorney General. Stevenson manages cases that will likely generate significant appeals, which can mean being in either the trial or appellate courts. Stevenson is involved with any case in the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as cases in the Tenth Circuit, and the state appellate courts. Her typical workday involves giving strategic advice to other departments, as well as Zoom and in-person meetings. Within the AG’s Office, there are six substantive sections doing different types of work. Several deputy solicitors general and 20 assistant solicitors general throughout the office help to manage appellate work. Stevenson personally reviews numerous draft briefs. Whether Stevenson argues a particular case herself or assigns it to another staff member can signal how important the case is to the Attorney General. Stevenson would typically argue any case before the U.S. Supreme Court. In making the decision as to which cases to take, Stevenson asks herself if she brings anything special to argument or if it could be a good opportunity for someone else.
A typical year will see Stevenson argue three to four cases. Last year, her most significant matter was the Elijah McClain case, for which she largely did trial work. In fact, the opportunity to work on this case was a selling point for Stevenson in her decision to join the AG’s Office. Representing Elijah’s interest and working for his mother and seeing how challenging the process was for her was deeply meaningful for Stevenson. “You see how slowly change happens, but how meaningful it is.” She also later argued the Trump disqualification case.
What Stevenson likes most about her work is that “every case is something that is new and interesting. You get to learn about some wild new thing.” She enjoys the constant learning and “feeling like you’re doing the work of the people and fulfilling the public interest role.” In particular, Stevenson finds getting to work with hundreds of lawyers who care about the mission to be very affirming. On the other hand, she finds it challenging to narrow her focus and decide where she can add the most value because there are so many things she could be doing.
Of all the accomplishments in her career, Stevenson is proudest that she stayed in the profession even though at times it was challenging, all while still being a decent spouse, law partner, mom, mentor, and supervisor. She advises that the greatest pressures in an attorney’s professional development often come at a time that they are also starting a family. While this is an extremely difficult period, Stevenson says it is also short when you look back. She encourages people to stick with it. “There will be a time when the job will become easier because of the time you put in. You will be able to add value to a case quicker, and it becomes fun.”
Stevenson first got involved in the CWBA when Vicki Johnson was president-elect and wanted to pull her in. Stevenson started with the Judicial Committee and participated on several committees. Patty Jarzobski was also an incredible mentor. Jarzobski’s outreach and encouragement were instrumental for Stevenson. Stevenson’s career with the CWBA culminated in her presidency in the 2013-2014 year. Now, Stevenson says that the past presidents of the CWBA are the best network of mentors you could want. “They’re everywhere and they’re the best cheerleading squad you could ask for.”
For attorneys interested in a public service career, Stevenson advises researching the culture and values of the place where you would like to serve. “They each have their own leadership styles. Talk to a lot of people to see if the values of the office are a good fit. I worked with nice, smart people on interesting cases at DGS. I do the same at the AG’s office.” In that respect, the skills and instincts in private practice were transferable to her current position. She advises having curiosity and expressing an interest in opportunities that will expose you to new things.
When balancing work and personal responsibilities, Stevenson says, “Be where you are when you’re there. If you’ve decided to do something with your kids, be present. If you’ve decided to work a weekend, enjoy your work then. Try not to be torn.”
Outside of the law, Stevenson’s spouse changes what he does about every 18 months and is constantly taking on new projects. Most recently, he has restored the Boulder Valley Velodrome for competition and training. She assists with his endeavors, and it is “always new and interesting.”
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Kate Noble is a CWBA Publications Committee member and a legal editor with Colorado Bar Association CLE, the nonprofit educational arm of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations
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