PRO
Lisa R. Shellenberger
also known as Lisa Shellenberger Doman
Virtual Consultation Available
About Lisa
Biography
Lisa R. Shellenberger is a Managing Partner at Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP and leads the firm's Family Law & Juvenile Law Division. A highly respected and award-winning litigator, Lisa is recognized as one of Colorado’s premier family law attorneys. Throughout her career, she has successfully tried hundreds of cases, earning a reputation for exceptional courtroom skills. Lisa has been honored as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in family law for nine consecutive years (2017–2025), among numerous other distinguished accolades. Most recently, she was featured as one of Denver’s “Most Influential Women” in the April 2025 issue of VOGUE.
In addition to her courtroom skills, Lisa is highly trained in the art of settlement negotiation and conflict resolution. She is a member of the Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals group, and she has specialized training in the collaborative divorce process. Lisa also frequently teaches Continuing Legal Education courses to other attorneys and judges throughout the year through the Colorado Bar Association and other organizations. She has also been selected by the Colorado Judiciary, including the Colorado Supreme Court, to work on many prestigious committees to develop court rules of procedure applied within family law and juvenile law cases. Lisa also provides expert consulting services and expert witness services in select areas of law.
Because of Lisa’s extensive experience and her role as the Division Lead for the Family Law & Juvenile Law team, she typically handles the most complex cases at the firm, including representing ultra-high-net worth individuals, as follows:
Divorce
-Complex, high-asset divorce actions, commonly representing clients with marital estates valued in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, often involving the following issues:
- Complex trust assets and trust income;
- Executive & deferred compensation;
- Enforcement or invalidation of premarital agreements;
- Business interest valuations and related income analyses;
- Significant separate property assets, including separate property tracing;
- Common law marriage claims.
Child Custody
-Child custody matters, including cases involving:
- High-conflict cases;
- Substance abuse;
- Interpartner violence (domestic violence);
- Coercive control;
- Child abuse;
- Parental Kidnapping/fleeing to foreign jurisdictions;
- Jurisdictional disputes;
- Third party/non-parent custody cases.
Post-Decree Actions
- Modification or termination of spousal maintenance;
- Modification of child support;
- Modification of parenting time and decision-making authority;
- Enforcement of orders, including contempt proceedings.
Adoptions, Dependency & Neglect, & Other Case Types
- Adoptions (stepparent, kinship, custodial, and agency adoptions);
- Defense of parents and intervening parties in Dependency & Neglect cases;
- Child abuse & neglect investigations by the Department of Human Services;
- Paternity & Maternity actions;
- Guardianship actions;
- Grandparent Visitation Proceedings;
- Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) proceedings.
Expert Witness & Consulting Services
- ICWA Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) Services;
- Expert Witness Services (regarding nuanced family law & juvenile law issues);
- ICWA Consulting Services;
- UCCJEA / Foreign & Tribal Jurisdiction Consulting Services;
- Other Consulting Services.
In addition to family law and juvenile law practice, Lisa also engages in work in the field of tribal law. She was appointed to the bench in January, 2018, to serve as an Appellate Judge for the Havasupai Court of Appeals in Supai, Arizona.
Lisa is also extremely involved in matters related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in Colorado. She is regarded as a leading specialist in the field of ICWA. Lisa is one of the most well-versed attorneys that actively represents clients in ICWA cases, and she is also often retained as a qualified expert witness (QEW) to evaluate and provide an expert opinion and report to the Court in ICWA cases. Lisa further serves on numerous ICWA judiciary committees for many state judicial districts.
Prior to coming on full-time with Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger, LLC, Lisa served as a Clerk to Justice Nancy E. Rice at the Colorado Supreme Court. Lisa’s legal work has been highlighted in numerous national news articles, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and National Public Radio (NPR).
Lisa attended law school at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, Colorado. Lisa completed her undergraduate degree at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, with honors. Lisa is an Oklahoma Native, and she is a member of the Choctaw Nation.
Outside of work, Lisa is an outdoor and fitness enthusiast. She enjoys CrossFit, traveling, camping, equestrian horse jumping, mountain biking, dirt biking, and scuba diving. She enjoys doing all of these activities with her husband, Kyle, and their two dogs, Moose and Millie.
Experienced trial attorney devoted to providing high quality representation at a reasonable cost.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Colorado for 14 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Location
Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger, LLC
Fax
1860 Blake Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO, 80202
setterroche.comLisa R. Shellenberger's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
63 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 26 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Meg | November 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Calm, Clarity and a Little Bit of Magic
Going through a divorce is never easy, and having international assets added an extra layer of complexity. From day one, Lisa and her assistant were exceptional - professional, attentive and genuinely compassionate. Lisa guided me through every step with patience and clarity, helping me understand ...
Posted by Mikayla Shearer | July 30, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Native Peoples Law
ICWA Expert
If you are looking for an expert on an ICWA matter I would strongly recommend retaining Lisa.
Posted by Jazlyn | November 14, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Stepparent adoption
Lisa and her team far exceeded our expectations with the stepparent adoption. Lisa's knowledge in family law is absolutely something you want sitting next to you in the court room. Lisa fought a very hard fight for me and my daughter for 4 long years and had a very successful end with my Husband adop...
Posted by Greg | November 07, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
First Class Attorney
I'm grateful for Lisa Shellenberger and her team's exceptional legal services at Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP. A highly skilled attorney, Lisa's empathy, dedication, and expertise helped me navigate my child support case. Her team communicated well, and their collective effort made the ...
Posted by Gary | November 07, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Specialty aligned with need
When my former attorney was presented with a new issue, he was candid in letting me know he did not have experience in the area I needed help in. He referred me to Lisa. Lisa had the exact experience I needed to vacate an illegal adoption. She prepared the case in detail citing several points of l...
Lisa R. Shellenberger's Lawyer Endorsements
"Lisa is quick-witted, smart, poised and compassionate. She truly gives it her all and deeply cares about her work and her clients. Lisa can be trusted to put real thought into each of her cases - even the thorniest of issues - to find whatever creative solution there may be. I would want Lisa on my side."
"I met Lisa several years ago on the other side of a fairly high conflict matter that included complex tribal law and family law issues. Lisa is smart and creative when it comes to conflict resolution/strategy. She is trustworthy and respectful in her approach. I found her to be a fair opponent and I call her often for advice. I would hire Lisa in a heartbeat to handle any family law case and I have referred some of my closest friends to her for legal services."
"Lisa is an extremely dedicated attorney who does everything possible to obtain positive results for her clients. I endorse this attorney."
"Lisa Shellenberger is an extraordinary attorney. She possesses a vast amount of knowledge in the area of family law, which enables her to successfully navigate and guide her clients through the complex nature of domestic relations cases. Lisa is a dedicated attorney who cares deeply about the clients she represents, and she works hard to help them through the difficulties of family law cases with compassion and understanding. She is very skilled in every phase of the litigation process from written work product to courtroom advocacy. I fully endorse and highly recommend this attorney."
"Lisa is one of the smartest lawyers that I have ever encountered. She will search high and low for creative ways to advocate for her clients. She is a skilled litigator and a consummate professional. I highly endorse her as a lawyer."
"Ms. Shellenberger worked diligently to represent her client's interests, challenging the positions taken by my client, and ultimately helping come to a fair agreement for both parties. She conducted herself with professionalism, and never stopped representing her client."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have learned an incredible amount while working on cases with Ms. Shellenberger. She is hardworking, diligent, and extremely bright. She fights hard for her clients. I can honestly state that if I ever needed a family law attorney, I would hire Ms. Shellenberger."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Exceptional attorney"
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Native peoples law lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Child custody lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2024
Top 10 Attorney Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2024
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, America's Best Advocates
2024
Colorado's Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2024
Top 10 Attorney, American Association of Attorney Advocates
2024
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Best of the Best Attorneys
2024
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2024
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2023
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2023
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, America's Best Advocates
2023
Colorado's Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2023
Top 10 Female Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2023
Top 10 Attorney (Under 40), National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2023
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Best of the Best Attorneys
2023
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, American Association of Attorney Advocates
2022
Colorado's Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2022
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2022
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2022
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, American Association of Attorney Advocates
2022
Top 10 Female Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2022
Client's Choice, Avvo
2022
Top 10 Attorney, Best of the Best Attorneys
2021
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2021
Top 10 Female Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2021
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2021
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2021
Colorado's Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2020
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2020
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2020
Top Ranked Attorney, American Association of Attorney Advocates
2020
Colorado's Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2020
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Best of the Best Attorneys
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Top 10 Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2019
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2019
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Top 100, American Academy of Attorneys
2019
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2019
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2019
Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, Colorado American Jurist Institute
2019
Colorado's Top 10 Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2018
Client's Choice, Avvo
2018
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2018
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2018
Top 10 Attorneys in Colorado Area, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Client's Choice, Avvo
2017
Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network
2017
Top 10 Attorney in Colorado, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2017
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Client's Choice, Avvo
2011
Excellence in Clinical Education, University of Colorado
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Appellate Justice, Havasupai Tribe
2021 - Present
Partner & Attorney, Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP
2018 - 2020
Appellate Justice, Havasupai Tribe
2013 - 2021
Partner & Attorney, Smith & Shellenberger, LLC
2012 - 2013
Associate Attorney, Smith, Shelton & Ragona, LLC
2011 - 2012
Associate Attorney, Smith, Shelton, Ragona & Salazar LLC
2010 - 2011
Clerk, Colorado Supreme Court
Associations
2016 - Present
Colorado Revised Statues, Juvenile Rules CommitteeCommittee
2016 - Present
Indian Child Welfare Court, DenverCommittee
2015 - Present
Colorado Court Improvement ProgramCommittee
2011 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
Indian Child Welfare Act Rules Drafting Committee
2014 - 2015
Colorado Pay Equity CommissionMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Both Petitions granted by the Court.
Both Petitions granted by the Court.
Client prevailed on appeal.
Education
2011
JD - Juris Doctor
2007
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2022
Application of ICWA in Probate Cases
2022
The Indian Child Welfare Act and its Impact on Family Law Cases in Colorado
2022
Multicultural Considerations for CFI and PRE Experts
2021
An Overview of the Applicability of ICWA in Colorado’s Private Legal Actions Involving Non-Biological Parents; A Guideline on Arguing for and Complying with the ICWA
2019
Careers in American Indian Law
2019
An Overview of the Applicability of ICWA in Colorado’s Private Legal Actions Involving Non-Biological Parents; A Guideline on Arguing for and Complying with the ICWA
2018
Informal Discovery & Expert Witnesses
2018
ICWA Compliance
2016
Family Law
2016
Discovery Considerations in Dependency & Neglect Cases
Publications
2017
2012
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers