Adele L. Reester

Shareholder

PHONE: (303) 776-9900
FAX: (303) 776-9100
EMAIL: areester@lyonsgaddis.com

Overview

Adele’s practice primarily focuses on representing local government entities, including school districts and special districts. Her breadth and depth of experience, and commitment to the community and the school system makes her a valuable resource to large and small special districts and school districts statewide. In addition to her work in education and special district law, Adele’s practice areas include contracts, employment law, and liquor licensing.

Adele has counseled and defended clients concerning a variety of special education matters, student discipline, labor and employment matters, Board of Education and Board of Directors issues, policy development, charter school issues, and many other aspects of law related to the operations of schools and special districts. She has participated in negotiations of collective bargaining agreements with both teacher and fire unions in many roles, including as the spokesperson, facilitator, and trainer of Interest Based Bargaining techniques.

With extensive experience in governmental relations and liquor licensing matters, Adele has successfully handled fact finding and administrative hearings, as well as arbitrations, mediations, trials, and liquor license applications for new businesses, transfers of ownership, corporate changes, and special events.

Practices

Education Law
Special Districts
Litigation
Contracts
Liquor Licensing
Employment

Education & Experience

Adele graduated in 1994 from Binghamton University – State University of New York where she received a B.A. degree. She earned her J.D. in 1997 from American University, Washington College of Law.

After graduation, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Roxanne Bailin, former Chief Judge for the Twentieth Judicial District of Colorado in Boulder, and worked several years as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Loveland before joining the firm in 2001.

Speaking Engagements

Grievance Procedures, September 2022, Annual Conference, Special Districts Association
Keystone, Colorado

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, September 2021, Annual Conference, Special Districts Association
Keystone, Colorado

Handling a Successful De-Gallagher Election (panel), September 2019, Annual Conference, Special Districts Association
Keystone, Colorado

Constitutional and Statutory Requirements for Special District Websites, September 2018 Annual Conference, Special District Association, Keystone, Colorado

Consolidation of Fire Services: A Study in Collaboration (panel), September 2017, Annual Conference, Special District Association, Keystone, Colorado

Disciplining the Special Education Student, October 2016,Special Education Law From A to Z Seminar, National Business Institute, Denver, Colorado

S.M.A.R.T. Goals, September 2016,Annual Conference, Special District Association, Keystone, Colorado

Top 10 Policies Your Board Should Have! September 2015,Annual Conference, Special District Association, Keystone, Colorado

“Interest-Based Bargaining Methodology” Special District Association of Colorado News August 2012 and Boulder County Bar Newsletter, February 2012

Miscellaneous presentations relating to school law and employment law, including CASB, CASE, and CASPA conferences, 2001 – present

“Obtaining a Liquor License”, 2009 Boulder County Attorneys Profiles & Reference Book, May 2009

“Changing Your Facility? Don’t Forget the Liquor License!” ,Restaurateur of Colorado, December 2001/January 2002

“Judges as Case Managers: What Happened to Trials?” On reserve in Washington College of Law Library

Organizations & Community Involvement

Adele is a member of the Colorado and Boulder County Bar Associations, the Colorado Special Districts Association, and the Colorado Council of School Board Attorneys.

As an education attorney, she has served twice as President of the Colorado Council of School Board Attorneys and remains active in the organization, currently serving on its Legislative Council.

Adele takes an active role in the community and volunteers her time.

When she is not working with clients, she dedicates a large portion of her time to her children and their education. This includes volunteering at their schools, participating on committees, and chauffeuring them to their many activities.

Adele also enjoys being outdoors, playing tennis, golfing, traveling, and hiking.