Michelle L. Harden

Michelle Harden is COO and Managing Partner at Messner Reeves LLP. 

In addition to her busy litigation and trial practice, she has substantial involvement in the firm's Practice Groups, including Crisis Management, Employment Law and Health Law. Throughout her career, she has represented individuals and businesses, large and small, striving to identify common-sense solutions for difficult problems. Having a background in nursing and working as a nurse paralegal prior to attending the University of Colorado Law School, Michelle brings a unique perspective and expertise to her practice. She serves as a trusted advisor to many clients on a wide variety of topics and serves as outside counsel for several businesses including a large publicly-traded company overseeing litigation throughout the United States.

Michelle has an active hospitality law practice and has been recognized locally and nationally for her efforts defending restaurants and other businesses. This practice includes proactive crisis management planning as well as partnering with her clients in the midst of crisis. She has been involved in the formation of advisory boards to assist clients in various topics including management practices, food safety, data security, and other issues.

Her litigation and trial practice spans commercial matters, professional liability defense - particularly physicians and practice groups, claims arising from foodborne and environmental illness and contamination, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Title VII. She is frequently retained on claims and lawsuits involving allegations of catastrophic injuries and damages. Finally, she maintains a very active practice representing health care providers before licensing boards, including Boards of Medical Examiners, the Board of Nursing and other credentialing entities, including administrative law hearings on licensing issues.