Claire Elster

Claire Elster

also known as Claire M. Dawson

5.0
Rating: 9.1

Licensed for 16 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Westminster, CO
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Violent Crime ... +2 more

1499 W. 120th Ave., Suite 110, Westminster, CO

About Claire

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Criminal Defense. I handle all manner of criminal defense cases from traffic tickets to sexual assaults and murders. I have a unique specialty in the area of DUI defense.

17 years

40%
DUI and DWI 30%

17 years

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Colorado for 16 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 2009

Active

No misconduct found

Location

ELSTER LAW OFFICE

1499 W. 120th Ave., Suite 110, Westminster, CO, 80234

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Claire Elster's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (19) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Peter | September 12, 2023

Great Lawyer!

I've worked with Ms. Elster and I can say without a doubt, she is an excellent attorney. Her attention to detail is unsurpassed. She works diligently toward client goals and she was always available 24/7 to answer questions and give me guidance on my case. I highly recommend Ms. Elster.

Posted by Catherine | June 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Eternally Grateful Attorney

I couldn't have had a better attorney for my divorce! Claire was very professional and passionate with my case. I hired her with very short notice before my trial and she worked day and night learning the details of what had already taken place. Mine ended up being a very long drawn out case (not by ...her or my choice) but she stuck with it and kept fighting for my best interests. She was very good at taking the time to explain things to me and made sure I knew what was going on. Her staff was also wonderful in always offering a welcoming face and a helping hand. I would highly reccommend Claire and her staff to anyone I could.

Posted by Debbie Belleville | October 27, 2015 | Hired Attorney

DUI Moffat County

Claire was kind, informative, respectful and very pleasant to work with. She provided clear guidance without making us feel like she was simply trying to complete the case. She spent ample time helping us understand our options, explaining legal terms and giving us time to consider our options. Sh...e was amazing!

Posted by anonymous | October 26, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Petition to Seal

Claire Dawson jumped in on my case halfway through the legal process. My case was a bit complicated as it involved a few different counties. Claire had strong answers to every single one of my questions. She made me feel very calm and assured when things were still up in the air. I am very very thank...ful to have had Claire on my case. Everything turned out in my favor and it is definitely thanks to her!

Posted by Dylan | December 01, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Courteous, Helpful and Knowledgable

Ms. Dawson represented me in a matter in the Boulder County system. She was responsive and informative from the very first correspondence. Letting me know exactly what she could help with, what she couldn't, and set realistic expectations of an outcome based on previous, similar experiences. Ms. Daw...son was also prompt with follow up communications at each juncture of the case (new court dates, expected court notifications, etc.). I would recommend Ms. Dawson for any legal matter in her wheel-house. She is capable, confident and diligent in her work and also has the ability to communicate and explain legal matters to your average lay-person like myself.

See All Client Reviews

Claire Elster's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Claire
Michael Trent Trani headshot
Michael Trani

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Claire worked with me several years ago on a very serious criminal case in Adams County. She demonstrated herself to be knowledgeable of the law and very zealous in her defense of those accused of crimes. My firm later hired her as an associate because of how impressed that we were with Claire. Unfortunately, I left before getting to work with her any further. I have worked with quite a few new attorneys over the years and I can say, without a doubt, that Claire was one of the best as that stage of her career. I have no doubt that she has only gotten better and hope to get to work with her again someday. I fully endorse her and would have no hesitation referring a client to her."

Richard Eddington headshot
Richard Eddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is a very knowledgeable and skilled criminal attorney. She knows the law and the knows how to help her clients. I have no problem highly recommending her to anyone in need of a great criminal attorney. She has the courtroom skills and juries really like her!"

Dallas Daniel Norton headshot
Dallas Norton

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Many great client reviews and peer endorsements. Call Claire before hiring someone else."

Travis Ashley Newton headshot
Travis Newton

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Chelseá R. Mitchell headshot
Chelseá Mitchell

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Friend

"Claire is a brilliant criminal defense attorney. Her commitment to her clients and fearless pursuit of justice are unmatched. Claire brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to help each client obtain the best result."

Christine E. Breen headshot
Christine Breen

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Claire is extremely dedicated and knowledgeable, and I would like to endorse her as a top criminal defense attorney. With a vast understanding of the law, she is a fierce advocate for her clients."

Wesley Lynn Eddington headshot
Wesley Eddington

DUI and DWI lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is a very intelligent attorney. She is dedicated to fighting for her clients. She is very easy to talk to, and does a great job of telling her clients what to expect throughout the process."

Francis James Cuddihee II headshot
Francis Cuddihee

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire embodies all the necessary qualities of a criminal defense advocate. Her passion for her clients and skill as an attorney are second to none. I endorse this lawyer."

A Kate Bouchee headshot
A Bouchee

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Claire is a fantastic attorney. She id dedicated to her clients. She is extremely thorough and will fight to the end for her clients."

Todd C. Burnham headshot
Todd Burnham

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is the baddest criminal defense lawyer I know, which is why I hired her. DUI defense in particular...nobody knows more...high end lawyer and hard core litigator."

Gavin M. Halligan headshot
Gavin Halligan

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is an extremely passionate and knowledgable criminal defense attorney and will ensure your case is taken care of from beginning to end. You are in good hands with Claire."

Andrew J. Price headshot
Andrew Price

Family lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is a skilled and effective advocate in matters pertaining to both domestic and criminal law. Her talent is exceeded only by the passion and commitment she devotes to her cases, and to her clients."

Zachary John Daigle headshot
Zachary Daigle

Family lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is a experienced litigator and equally accomplished advocate. She handles all of her cases with the perfect balance of strength and strategy. I endorse this lawyer."

Jennifer Paulette Scott headshot
Jennifer Scott

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire has so much experience and gets the job done for all of her clients. She is knowledgable and effective."

Stephanie Ann Randall headshot
Stephanie Randall

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Claire is very knowledgable and impressive in her handling of criminal defense matters."

View All Endorsements
Mark Joseph Fischer headshot
Mark Fischer

Unknown lawyer

Michael Trent Trani headshot
Michael Trani

Criminal defense lawyer

Wesley Lynn Eddington headshot
Wesley Eddington

Unknown lawyer

Christine E. Breen headshot
Christine Breen

Unknown lawyer

Ralph Adrian Cantafio headshot
Ralph Cantafio

Unknown lawyer

Francis James Cuddihee II headshot
Francis Cuddihee

Family lawyer

A Kate Bouchee headshot
A Bouchee

Criminal defense lawyer

Gavin M. Halligan headshot
Gavin Halligan

Family lawyer

Andrew J. Price headshot
Andrew Price

Family lawyer

Zachary John Daigle headshot
Zachary Daigle

Family lawyer

Jennifer Paulette Scott headshot
Jennifer Scott

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.1 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2009

National Arbitration Competition Finalist - 2nd Place, ABA Board of Advocates

2008

Excellence for the future - Conflict Theory Top Honor, CALI

2008

Regional Arbitration Competition Finalist, ABA

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Owner/Operator, C. McGuire Law, LLC

2018 - Present

Contract Attorney, Town & Town LLC

2015 - Present

Contract Attorney, M. Trent Trani and Associates, P.C.

2015 - 2018

Associate Attorney, Cantafio Hammond, PC

2014 - 2015

Associate Attorney, The Burnham Law Firm

2011 - 2014

Associate Attorney, Frankfurt Law Office

2009 - 2011

Associate Attorney, The Reisch Law Firm, LLC

2009 - 2009

Legal Assistant/Clerk, Frankfurt and Trani PC

2006 - 2009

Legal Intern, Ford, Parshall & Baker, LLC

Associations

2009 - Present

Colorado Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Colorado Criminal Defense Bar

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

DMV Dismissal for DUI

Case Dismissed. No license revocation.

DUI to Reckless

Domestic Violence Dismissal

dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2009

University of Missouri School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2006

University of Missouri, Columbia

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Denver Veteran Homeless Stand-down

Client Representation

Publications

2008

JOURNAL OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION, Number 2 (2008): 515 "State Legislative Update."

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution