Chief Operating Partner
Kathleen
Alt
Legal Assistant
Ms. Alt has worked in state and federal courts and is an experienced litigator and trial attorney. She has tried over 28 jury trials. Her focus at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti is criminal defense and employment law. She chairs Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti’s employment practice group and co-chairs the firm’s criminal defense practice group
Prior to joining Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, Ms. Alt served as a Deputy Colorado State Public Defender in Adams County, Colorado, and a judicial clerk to the Honorable Judge Daniel M. Taubman on the Colorado Court of Appeals. In law school, Ms. Alt received multiple awards for top academic performance and dedication to the public interest. She is a member of the Order of the Coif and graduated in the top 4% of her class with the highest academic honors.
Ms. Alt serves on the firm’s management committee and was honored to be the first female equity partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti. She is a proud Marylander and received her undergraduate degrees in Information Systems Management and History from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Experience
Employment Law
Ms. Alt’s employment specialty areas include the defense of companies and public entities and their employees in a wide variety of areas including: employment discrimination, internal sexual harassment and gender discrimination investigations and litigation, administrative agency investigations, FLSA claims, ADA and Title VII claims, retaliation lawsuits and complaints, unemployment benefit matters, and contract-based employment disputes. She also advises her clients on Department of Justice and OSHA investigations and whistleblower actions. She regularly advises corporate clients, small business owners, executives, and individuals in employment, termination, non-compete, non-disclosure, termination severance-related negotiations and issues.
Recently, Ms. Alt has specialized in guiding clients through covid-related pandemic issues such as ensuring compliance with OHSA, CDC, and federal, state, and local regulations.
Criminal Law
As a former Deputy State Public Defender, Ms. Alt is a member of BHGR’s criminal defense practice group where she represents clients in matters ranging from class one felonies to misdemeanors in state and federal court, post-conviction relief, and appellate review. She specializes in the defense of sexual assault cases, and has successfully had cases dismissed prior to preliminary hearing or negotiated a no-filing decision. Ms. Alt employs a no-stone-left-unturned approach to the factual and legal investigation of a particular matter including litigating pretrial suppression issues involving unlawful search and seizures, Miranda violations, and custodial interrogations. She is also successful in conducting favorable negotiations with the District Attorney’s Office and assisting clients in getting back on track if needed and developing appropriate mitigation.
Litigation
As a trial lawyer, Ms. Alt has handled complex securities and fraud cases. She won a million dollar plus verdict that included punitive damages for one of Boulder’s largest commercial real estate owners in a Colorado Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act case. She has negotiated settlements in excess of one million dollars under the Colorado Securities Act. Finally, she obtained a full defense verdict for a rural Sheriff’s Department in federal court in an Americans with Disabilities Act case.
In the Community
Ms. Alt is an equestrian and supporter of canine rescue and arts organizations. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, cycling, riding, and spending time with her family: husband, Michael Alt, a software engineer at Motorola Solutions, Inc.; their teen age daughter; their three horses; and their two rescue Chihuahuas. She is currently the Chair of the Boulder Ballet not for profit.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER COLLEGE OF LAW, 2001
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, 1988
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
2007
Colorado
2001
Professional Associations
Boulder County Bar Association; Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Section, 2007 – 2009
Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Honors & Awards
University of Denver College of Law; Order of St. Ives, 2001
Earth Justice Award for Environmental Advocacy, 2001
Kenneth C. Smith Scholarship Ward, 1999 – 2000
University of Denver Law School; Most Innovative Program Award, 1999
Public Interest Law Group Clerkship Award, 1999
Jurisprudence Civil Procedure Award, 1998
Pro Bono
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center; Former Board Member, 2006 – 2007
The Catamounts, Former Board Member and Board President, 2012 – 2017
Boulder Ballet Board of Directors 2018 to present (current Chair of the Board)
Publications
Coordinating Editor: Antitrust and Consumer Protection Law, Special Issue The Colorado Lawyer October 2014
Criminal Enforcement of State and Federal Antitrust Laws article, The Colorado Lawyer October 2014
Clerkships
Honorable Daniel M. Taubman, Colorado Court of Appeals, 2001 – 2002

Kathleen’s Blog

Understanding the EEOC’s Proposed “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” and How Your Business Should Respond
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is seeking public comment on its proposed “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” through November 1, 2023. The proposed guidance provides a legal analysis of standards for harassment and...
What is Civil Litigation? An Overview of the Civil Litigation Process
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Individuals or entities considering legal action should consult with an attorney to understand the unique aspects of their case and the court systems in which their cases may be filed or pending....

Colorado Employment Law Changes 2023
This legislative summary is informational only. The presentation or use of this information does not in any manner constitute an attorney-client relationship between BHGR and the website user. While the information on this site concerns legal issues, it is not...
In the News
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti Sponsors the 2024 Construction SuperConference
Our team is en route to Hollywood, Florida, to attend the 2024 Construction SuperConference. This is the firm's third year sponsoring this national construction event, and we are thrilled to see our colleagues and friends over the next few days. Attending this year's...
Recognizing Our Native Lands
All over the United States, we occupy lands that are recognized by treaty as the territories of Indigenous Nations. For Native American Heritage Month, BHGR wanted to recognize the territories of Indigenous Nations that our offices occupy.Boulder/Denver Office Many of...
LGBTQ+ Through History
LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration of the history of the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community as well as the importance of civil rights movements in progressing gay rights. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly...
Firm Happenings
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti Sponsors the 2024 Construction SuperConference
Our team is en route to Hollywood, Florida, to attend the 2024 Construction SuperConference. This is the firm's third year sponsoring this national construction event, and we are thrilled to see our colleagues and friends over the next few days. Attending this year's...
Understanding the EEOC’s Proposed “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” and How Your Business Should Respond
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is seeking public comment on its proposed “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” through November 1, 2023. The proposed guidance provides a legal analysis of standards for harassment and...
What is Civil Litigation? An Overview of the Civil Litigation Process
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Individuals or entities considering legal action should consult with an attorney to understand the unique aspects of their case and the court systems in which their cases may be filed or pending....