People

Lori Potter

Partner

Denver Office
303.825.7008

Education and Clerkships

J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980
Judicial Law Clerk, Justice Jean Dubofsky, Colorado Supreme Court, 1982–1983
M.A., with honors, University of Illinois, 1977
B.A., summa cum laude, University of Illinois, 1975

​Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado
Many Federal District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and United States Supreme Courts

Lori Potter

Lori Potter has more than 35 years of experience in the areas of environmental, public lands, land use, and water law.  She has extensive experience with NEPA, FLPMA, Section 404 permitting, endangered species, transportation law issues, and local land use regulation.  Lori’s practice involves both litigation and counseling in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies across the country.  Her practice also includes expert witness work in statutory attorney’s fee award matters; advice and litigation in the areas of access to information under open records and open meetings laws; administrative law; and the public involvement process.  Lori’s clients include governmental and quasi-governmental entities, businesses, ranches, citizens’ organizations, and individuals.  Much of her practice involves protecting the interests of clients in permitting and NEPA processes.

Prior to entering private practice, Lori served as Regional Director of the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund’s Rocky Mountain Office, handling and supervising high-profile environmental litigation throughout the western states. She was a Fulbright Professor of environmental law in India in 1993 and has twice taught seminars at the University of Denver College of Law.

Representative Experience

Outside Counsel to Cities and Counties in the Rocky Mountain West on Public Lands, Water, Mining Legacy and Land Use Matters
Counseling and litigation on behalf of local governments working to protect water quality, open space, and other public interests

Professional and Civic Activities / Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation - Environmental Law (2001–2024)
  • Chambers USA, Colorado, Environment – Band 3 (2021–Present)
  • 5280's Top Lawyer for Environmental Law (2015–2020)
  • Super Lawyers® for Environmental Law; Environmental Litigation (2006–2023)
  • Best Lawyers® Summer Business Edition for Environmental Law (2018)
  • Earthjustice Board of Trustees (2017–Present); Earthjustice Council (2014–2017)
  • Law Week Colorado's Top Litigator (2016)
  • Best Lawyers® Litigation - Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year” award for Denver (2014)
  • Board of Directors, Public Counsel of the Rockies (2003–2019)
  • Co-Founder and Board Member, Faculty of Federal Advocates (1996–1998)
  • Chair, Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Group, U.S. District Court for District of Colorado (1994–1997)
  • Board of Directors, Colorado Environmental Coalition (2007–2012)
  • Board of Directors, FrontRange Earth Force (2006–2010)
  • Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers

News & Publications

Presentations

SLAPPs in Hawaii
04.22.20
Defense of SLAPPs in Colorado
04.01.17
National Outdoor Recreation Conference and River Management Symposium
05.17.16
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Publications

Co-Authored with W. Cory Haller
45 Environmental Law Reporter 10136
February 2015
Colorado Water Newsletter
November/December 2009
Legal Underpinnings of the Right to Float Through Private Property in Colorado
Co-Authored with Steven Marlin and Kathy Kanda
University of Denver Water Law Review
Spring 2002
Build It and They Will Come for Gravel
Co-Authored with Star L. Waring
31 The Colorado Lawyer 67
March 2002
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News

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Education and Clerkships

J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980
Judicial Law Clerk, Justice Jean Dubofsky, Colorado Supreme Court, 1982–1983
M.A., with honors, University of Illinois, 1977
B.A., summa cum laude, University of Illinois, 1975

​Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado
Many Federal District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and United States Supreme Courts