Associate
Shelby Deeney
Legal Assistant
Shelby Deeney is an associate at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti. Her practice consists of criminal defense and personal injury matters.
Previously, Ms. Deeney served as a Senior Deputy State Public Defender in both the Arapahoe County Trial Office and statewide Appellate Division. In her 7 plus years at the Colorado State Public Defender, Ms. Deeney has successfully represented thousands of clients in almost every type of Colorado Court, from trials in county and district court to appeals in the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court. Shelby is a compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated defender, who provides the highest quality representation no matter the offense. She works tirelessly to resolve cases creatively by presenting novel legal arguments, collecting mitigation, and negotiating with the district attorney.
In law school, Ms. Deeney was on the nationally ranked Wash U Trial Team and served as an Executive Articles Editor for the Washington University Jurisprudence review. She received numerous awards for her academic performance, oral advocacy and trial skills, and her dedication to public interest.
Shelby grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, so she proudly loves barbeque, Elvis, and blues and soul music. When not in the courtroom or office, she enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, and spending time outside with her family: husband, son, and rescue dog and cat.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF LAW
BACHELOR OF ARTS
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
Colorado
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Court
Professional Associations
Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
Criminal Defense Bar Association
Honors & Awards
Legal Practice Excellence in Oral Advocacy Award
CALI Award (highest grade in class): Natural Resources Law and Civil Justice Clinic
Honor Scholar Award 2013 (based on yearly GPA for top 10% of class)
Dean’s List: Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2013
Judge John W. Calhoun Trial Practice Award
Jack Garden Humanitarian Award
Pro Bono Pledge Award
Publications
Bioethical Considerations of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Sex Selection, 5 Wash. U. Jur. Rev. 333 (2013).

Shelby’s Blog

Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 ("SB 1162"), expanding California's data reporting requirements under Government...

Client Alert: What Employers Must Convey Upon Employee Termination or Separation
Colorado's most recent legislative session, concluding in early May, pushed through several new employment-related laws that concern employers and employees alike. Senate Bill (SB) 22-234 should be of particular interest to employers, as it requires employers to...

Client Alert: Colorado Places New Restrictions on Non-Compete Agreements Between Employers and their Employees
Colorado has long disfavored non-compete agreements within the state. Historically, under C.R.S. § 8-2-113, restrictive covenants were void and unenforceable except for under specific circumstances, including: the purchase and sale of a business or the assets of a...
In the News
Merritt Named Co-Chair of the Firm’s Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice
Shelly Merritt, a partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, has been named the co-chair of the Firm's Trust, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice. Merritt has over thirty years of experience representing individuals, families, closely-held businesses, executives, and...
BHGR Introduces the Women’s Leadership Committee
Just in time for Women's History Month, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP formed and formally introduced the BHGR Women's Leadership Committee. The Women's Leadership Committee is comprised of sixteen female attorneys and was established to recognize and cultivate a...
BHGR Partnership Expands with 2023 Elections
The Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti partnership gathered at our Boulder office on January 31, 2023. In that meeting, attorneys Geoff Williamson and Benjamin Wilson were elected Equity Partners, and Elizabeth Froehlke and DJ Goldfarb were elected Non-Equity Partners,...
Firm Happenings
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 ("SB 1162"), expanding California's data reporting requirements under Government...
Client Alert: What Employers Must Convey Upon Employee Termination or Separation
Colorado's most recent legislative session, concluding in early May, pushed through several new employment-related laws that concern employers and employees alike. Senate Bill (SB) 22-234 should be of particular interest to employers, as it requires employers to...
Client Alert: Colorado Places New Restrictions on Non-Compete Agreements Between Employers and their Employees
Colorado has long disfavored non-compete agreements within the state. Historically, under C.R.S. § 8-2-113, restrictive covenants were void and unenforceable except for under specific circumstances, including: the purchase and sale of a business or the assets of a...