meet our attorney team
(he/she/they)
M. E. O'Connell, Esq.
(She / Her)
Ellyn Rapaport, Esq.
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(he/she/they)
M. E. O'Connell, Esq.
In October 2023, an expedition of sorts was undertaken by LawForPeople trial attorney M. E. O'Connell, and one of their very adventurous daughters. It was an amazing combination of advocacy and gatitude for the immense beauty that surrounds us every day in Colorado, and all over the world. M.E. and said daughter carried the Transgender and LGBTQ+ flags from Colorado all the way to Kathmandu, Nepal, then along the spine of the Himalayas; through passes, valleys and rivers, all the way to the base of Mount Everest itself; known as Sagarmatha to the Nepalese, and Chomolungma to Tibetans.
Along the way, they were met with smiles, kindness, and questions. M. E. was approached by fathers with a transgender daughter, another with a genderqueer son, by a charming and smiling Hijra (a recognized 3rd gender in some Hindu cultures), by Nepalese well-wishers and Indonesian supporters, by allies and community members from all over the world. This is what we believe in. This is what M.E. is all about. Standing up for what you believe in, and giving it everything you've got. To show what believing in something looks like.
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(he/she/they)
M. E. O'Connell, Esq.
This is how they practice law. M.E. attended the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland as an undergraduate, and obtained a law degree (JD) from the University of Maryland's Carey School of Law. They have obtained jury verdicts all over Colorado and in all kinds of cases; from $8.5 million in Weld County to $25,000 in a Denver dog bite case. It's about Justice, big or small. M.E. has litigated everything from fracking and product liability cases, to car accidents and premises liability. Filing lawsuits and litigating cases against sexual abusers is a passion. M.E. has two college-age daughters and understands the dangers faced by our children every day. Bad things happen to good people, and it pisses us off.
M.E. is on the faculty of the prestigious Trial Lawyer's College, which teaches trial skills to trial attorneys. Essentially a post-doctoral curriculum for people who are already fighting the good fight. Nobody gets it like people who get it.
Their extracurricular passions dovetail with our advocacy. Well before the Nepal trip, we journeyed to Botswana. The mission? Help teach a seminar for the Botswanan lawyers who prosecute poachers and smugglers - they fight the good fight, we can help. After that? Go look at animals!
Here in Colorado, M.E. can be found at Parasol Patrol events, drag show readings, rallies for the unhoused, chamber of commerce functions, and generally soaking up our community at every opportunity. And of course, in courtrooms all across the State.If you see them, say hello.
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(she/her)
Ellyn Rapaport, Esq.
Ellyn knows how it feels to be injured in an accident. Prior to attending law school, a drunk driver crashed into Ellyn’s vehicle at a high rate of speed. As a result, Ellyn suffered significant and permanent injuries to her back. She endured countless invasive medical treatments, including a three-level spinal fusion. Her life had changed forever in the blink of an eye. After a long and painful recovery from major surgeries, Ellyn began to rebuild her life and learn to live within her new limitations.
Ellyn is a fierce advocate for others who have been harmed through the negligence of others. She understands and recognizes the hardships that injured people go through after being injured. This knowledge drives Ellyn’s passion every day to fiercely advocate for others going through what she has endured. From fighting insurance companies to forcing a major medical institution to recognize human rights for transgender patients, Ellyn refuses to back down. She relentlessly fights for those who need a voice.
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(she/her)
Ellyn Rapaport, Esq.
Ellyn obtained her law degree from Hamline University School of Law and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida. Ellyn is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Minnesota.
In her spare time, Ellyn serves on the board of directors for SaveAFox Rescue, feeding the unhoused, and enjoying all the beauty of Colorado. For those of you who have read this far, Ellyn and M.E. O’Connell met each other by matching on a dating website. While there wasn’t a romantic spark, it was a perfect match to come together as a dynamic team who is crazy passionate about advocating for all people.
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