Education
Leslie is a Sharehodler at Griffiths Law PC in Lone Tree, CO. Leslie graduated cum laude in 1980 from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. In 1984, Leslie received her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and was admitted to the bar in Colorado.
Leslie has participated in numerous legal and leadership trainings, including the Executive Leadership Course at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in 2008 and the Leadership Program of the Rockies in 2009.
About Leslie
Leslie and her husband of 32 years live in Douglas County. They are the parents of three wonderful sons and a beautiful daughter-in-law. Leslie and her family enjoy golfing and skiing/boarding together. She is an avid fan of the PGA and the Colorado Avalanche.
Experience
Public Sector
Leslie began her legal career as a deputy district attorney at the Denver District Attorney’s Office. She handled hundreds of criminal cases and conducted dozens of jury trials, including 10 first degree murder trials. In 2005, Leslie became the Assistant District Attorney at the District Attorney’s Office for the 18th Judicial District. As the second in command, Leslie supported the District Attorney in developing and implementing office policy; managed the Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln County offices; participated in all employee management decisions; interface with all 26 law enforcement agencies and the 4 Boards of County Commissioners; mentored deputy district attorneys; and provided communication and interaction with the constitutents of the judicial district. Leslie selected and presented cases to the district and county grand juries. She served as the District Attorney’s representative on the Community Corrections Board, and with the Mental Health Court and Drug Court. Leslie was the Chair of the District Attorney’s Inclusiveness Committee and was the office representative to the U.S. Attorney, District Attorney and Attorney General working group at the Center for Legal Inclusiveness. Leslie has testified before the state legislature on matters relating to sentencing laws and juvenile law and has spoken to community groups about all aspects of criminal law.
Private Practice
In 1992, Leslie left the Denver prosecutor’s office and was a partner in the law firm Chambers, Dansky & Hansen, PC. Leslie and her partners developed a litigation firm that specialized in family law, criminal defense, and employment law. Leslie handled many divorce cases and settled most of them, but litigated those that were necessary. She worked with families as a guardian ad litem for children whose parents were divorcing and was regularly appointed to this position by Denver judges with whom she had worked as a prosecutor. She represented domestic violence victims and grandparents seeking custody of their grandchildren. In 2000, Leslie started her own firm, Leslie Hansen PC, and continued to focus exclusively on family law. Leslie continued her advocacy on behalf of children and families and handled all types of domestic relations cases. In late 2012, Leslie left public service and returned to private practice and again practices family law, including dissolution of marriage and civil unions, child custody and support issues, and post dissolution matters.
Leslie’s background as a prosecutor with extensive litigation experience gives her a unique perspective on family law cases. She knows that it is usually best for couples involved in a dissolution of marriage or civil union to settle their case by reaching an agreement they can both live with, without resorting to litigation. Whenever possible, couples should decide how to divide their assets and debts and decide what is best for their children as co-parents. When there are children involved, their best interests must be the number one priority for the parents and for the family law attorney. Leslie is a firm believer in, and an advocate for, shared parenting where both parents have a loving and nurtuing relationship with their children and both are actively involved in parenting responsibilities. Leslie brings the right combination of strength and compassion to the practice of family law.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CO | Active | 1984 | 11/10/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
2021 Best Lawyer-Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2021 |
2021 Colorado Super Lawyer | Colorado Super Lawyers | 2021 |
2020 Colorado Super Lawyer | Colorado Super Lawyers | 2020 |
2020 Best Lawyer-Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
2019 Best Lawyer-Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2019 |
2019 Colorado Super Lawyer | Colorado Super Lawyers | 2019 |
---|---|---|
Douglas Elbert Bar Association Professionalism Award – 2019 | Douglas Elbert Bar Association | 2019 |
2018 Best Lawyer-Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Shareholder | Griffiths Law PC | 2018 - Present |
Attorney | Heckenbach Suazo LLP | 2015 - 2018 |
Attorney | Willoughby & Associates | 2013 - 2015 |
Assistant District Attorney | 18th Judicial District, District Attorney | 2005 - 2012 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Voice of Victims | Board Member | 2010 - Present |
Colorado Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Douglas County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Center for Legal Inclusiveness | Member | 2010 - 2012 |
Community Corrections Board, 18th Judicial District | Board Member | 2005 - 2012 |
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Forfeiture Board | Board Member | 2005 - 2012 |
---|---|---|
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Forfeiture Board | Board Member | 2005 - 2012 |
Aurora Police Department Forfeiture Board | Board Member | 2005 - 2012 |
Roxborough Metropolitan District | Board Member | 1997 - 2000 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
ColoradoBizMagazine (online), | What you Need to Know About Family Law and the Financial Effects of COVID-19 | 2020 |
The Denver Post-Your Hub | How Divorced Families May Be Affected During the Pandemic | 2020 |
Griffiths Law PC Blog | Grandparents Rights to Custody & Visitation in Colorado | 2019 |
18th JD, District Attorney's Office | Anatomy of a Trial | 2010 |
18th JD, District Attorney's Office | Colorado Grand Jury Practice | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Denver Sturm College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1984 |
University of Colorado - Boulder | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1980 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Citizen's Academy | Anatomy of a Trial | 2012 |
Detective's Academy | Colorado Grand Jury Practice | 2011 |
Rotary Club of Littleton | Consumer Fraud | 2011 |
Citizen's Academy | Anatomy of a Trial | 2011 |
Aurora Police Academy | 4th Amendment Search and Seizure | 2010 |
Citizen's Academy | Anatomy of a Trial | 2010 |
---|---|---|
Detective's Academy | Colorado Grand Jury Practice | 2010 |
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Jennifer Schaffner, Family Attorney on Dec 5, 2020
Relationship: Co-worker
You cannot go wrong with Leslie as your attorney. She is smart as a whip and a talented litigator, but she also knows how to craft effective settlements for her clients and she treats every matter with diligence.
Jamie Paine, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 4, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse Leslie as an effective advocate, strong litigator, and reasonable negotiator. She has a wealth of knowledge. She knows the exact moment to litigate and when to settle. She is an effective communicator and responds very timely to all of her clients.
C Jensen, Family Attorney on Mar 7, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
Leslie brings such a vast wealth of trial experience to bear for her clients, while showing her dedication to the profession and to her clients through diligent and thoughtful representation.
James Ahern, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 24, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Leslie and I worked together as opposing counsel on a highly complex dissolution matter with children. Leslie is a dedicated and zealous advocate on behalf of her clients. At the same time, Leslie is extremely professional and is a pleasure to work with. Leslie is knowledgeable about the law, always prepared, and she is a skillful litigator. However, more importantly, Leslie has a unique ability to navigate through the delicate issues of a highly emotional and complex financial dissolution matter, and her problem solving skills helped resolve our case creatively such that the parties did not incur unnecessary fees and costs attendant to costly litigation. I fully endorse Leslie Hansen.
K Willoughby, Family Attorney on Nov 6, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Leslie and I worked together for years. She is a fabulous attorney who is passionate about helping her clients.
David Heckenbach, Family Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Leslie is a brilliant lawyer that has nearly unparalleled experience and talent in the court room. She is well-received by all judges and takes the time to develop a personal relationship with her clients so she is able to do the very best job in advising the client, assisting the client to a reasonable settlement and to fight for what the client and children need in the court room should that become necessary.
Ian Shea, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 24, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I worked as co-counsel with Leslie on a complicated property division and parental rights case. Even in areas where the law wasn't very well defined, Leslie was always poised and prepared to make the best arguments for our client.
Jersey Green, Family Attorney on May 8, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. She is an excellent lawyer. She is well prepared for trial and makes a very good presentation. Her clients are well represented by a very skilled and intelligent lawyer.
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