Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis, PC CO

Michael L. Stoyer is an associate attorney in the firm’s Colorado office. Mr. Stoyer obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science and art history in 2012. During law school, Mr. Stoyer represented defendants in criminal cases through an internship with Georgia’s Western Circuit Public Defender’s Office. Mr. Stoyer is admitted to practice law in the state of Colorado. He is the 2019 and 2021 recipient of the Individual Member’s Choice Award, which honors attorneys from the provider law firm who holds the highest net promoter score (NPS) score ratio to the total number of surveys received. Mr. Stoyer has a passion for working with clients with unique legal issues.

Ms. Santoscoy rejoined the firm in 2013 and brings a statewide experience to the firm. Conflict resolution is at the core of her practice, helping clients find lasting solutions to difficult problems while maintaining and preserving their rights. Client centered quality and ethical representation.

Ray is a 37-year lawyer with extensive experience in insurance law, having served as sole Special Counsel to the Texas Insurance Department during one of its most tumultuous periods. He has first chair experience in the liquidation of insurance companies in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma and Nebraska. He has practice workers’ compensation law for 29 years for most of the state’s insurance companies, as well as many claimants. He has been in front of the Colorado Supreme Court and made case law at the Court of Appeals along with dozens of Industrial Claim Appeals Office cases. He has experience in insurance bad faith, personal injury and automobile cases as well as general civil litigation

Betty Sommars has been practicing law since 1987 and is currently licensed in both Colorado and Oklahoma. Betty has a varied legal background involving matters including many areas of civil practice. Betty served on active duty as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was a member of the Army Ready Reserve as a Judge Advocate. Betty has received mediation training and has mediated numerous family and general civil cases. Betty joined the Riggs Abney law firm in 2000.

Sharon Hamm has been practicing law since 1993. She is a shareholder of Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison and Lewis, currently serving as the LegalShield Quality Assurance Supervisor. Sharon has a broad legal background. At present, she is focusing on assisting LegalShield members with their uncontested divorces, uncontested adoptions and uncontested name changes as well as helping resolve any issues a LegalShield member may have regarding their benefits or legal matters. Sharon joined the Riggs Abney firm in 1998. It is a dream job for her as she feels she helps people every day. She enjoys problem solving and assisting clients and members to find the best resolutions for their issues. She is very proud of her and her colleague’s dedication to our members and achieving the best outcome for them. Sharon spends her free time photographing and watching wildlife, gardening, researching her family’s ancestry and spending time with family and friends. She has also volunteered and served on the Aurora Liquor Licensing Authority and the Aurora Human Relations Board, as well as participated in the Warren Village “Law Day” programs and other public volunteer activities.

Moria is currently licensed to practice in Colorado. She is an associate in the Denver office since 2011. She provides advise and counsel to LegalShield members on a daily basis.

Jill Chase, Esq. is an associate attorney in the Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison and Lewis Law firm in Denver Colorado and has been with the firm since 2006. Jill received her J.D from Denver University Law School in 2000, and a Masters of Science from Colorado University in 1991 after receiving her Bachelors of Science in Finance and Management. Jill interned for International Business Machines (IBM) while earning her Masters of Science Degree, and worked as an in house attorney at IBM after earning her J.D. Degree. Jill started as an associate attorney at Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison and Lewis in 2006. Jill handles and has handled LegalShield work and LegalShield Benefit 5 litigation. Jill is a business attorney on the LegalShield account, helps with the firms Trial Defense Determinations and backs up the partner attorney on the Member Resolution Requests when needed. Jill has an extensive background in Consumer/Finance, Landlord Tenant, Real Estate, Collections, Employment and Family law. Jill is a trained mediator and has worked for a large county as a volunteer mediator in the mediation services department conducting many mediations in family law, domestic law and neighbor to neighbor disputes. Jill has volunteered her real estate expertise to draft a commercial lease for Warren Village which is a Denver nonprofit organization providing housing to single parents who are transitioning to self-support through education, training and commitment. Jill has also volunteered for the Denver Bar Association heading up school supply drives, volunteering for High School Mock Trials, and presenting Constitutional Law and concepts at local elementary schools. Jill enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, friends and volunteering in her children’s schools. Jill is also very active and likes tennis, paddle boarding, skiing, walking and working out.

Kristen Shillington has been practicing law since 2002 and is licensed in Colorado and Massachusetts. She has been a shareholder with the firm since 2014. Before working with the firm, Kristen worked in the insurance industry and has successfully transferred those skills into the plaintiff’s area. She is particularly interested in cases with difficult fact patterns, coverage issues, and subrogation/lien questions. Kristen is a passionate advocate for personal injury victims seeking help and recovery. Kristen recognizes that it is attention to detail and listening skills that will lead to a strong partnership with clients, and ultimately successful outcomes on their cases. Professional Associations and Memberships: • Colorado Bar Association • Denver Bar Association • Douglas-Elbert County Bar Association • Colorado Trial Lawyers Association • Women's Trial Lawyers Network

Chris Jensen started with the firm in 2013. Mr. Jensen is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law where he served on the editorial board of the Kansas Journal of Public Policy. Before coming to Riggs Abney, Mr. Jensen taught courses in Political Science and Constitutional Law. Mr. Jensen also worked as a volunteer attorney at Colorado Legal Services where he assisted low-income Coloradan’s facing foreclosure and other consumer issues. Mr. Jensen’s primary interests including helping small businesses navigate the complex issues they face, consumer protection law, internet and technology law and intellectual property.

Cheryl Peterson has practiced law since 1988. She is an experienced attorney, having represented both federal and state government, municipalities and private individual and commercial clients in federal and state courts, including in high profile cases. She has provided legal counsel and drafted documents in: estate planning, intellectual property matters, employment and collection matters. Cheryl is passionate about environmental issues, and she has taught environmental law seminars to government and private entities in her areas of specialty. Before going to law school, Cheryl worked as a biologist for 5 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. While there, she was awarded the Civilian Bronze Medal for outstanding government service.

Greg M. Taschdjian has been practicing law since 2006 and is licensed in Colorado and Federal Courts.Greg practices primarily in criminal and traffic defense and has a wide array of experience in both municipal and county courts, having won numerous trials and successfully obtaining dismissals in pre-trial motions.Prior to specializing in criminal and traffic defense, Greg practiced Employment, Contract and Landlord-Tenant law, including two successful cases against the Colorado Department of Human Services Disability Deterination Services which were appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court and upheld at all levels of appeal.Greg is a committed father of his two young children, Cadence and Colton, and spends most of his free time engaged in that capacity.

Mr. McGuire’s areas of expertise include tax resolution, workers’ compensation, landlord/tenant disputes, contract disputes, and general civil litigation. Mr. McGuire has thirteen years of legal experience assisting clients in Colorado.

Ms. Mattern focuses on advocacy and the representation of individuals, corporations and other business entities. Amy is passionate about providing her clients with the best legal solutions to serve their best interests, and she is uniquely situated to help clients navigate all phases of complex legal matters.

Ms. Anderson has 3 years of experience with federal employment and telecommunications administrative law, and more than 2 years of experience with appellate criminal proceedings.