Our Dedicated Colorado and Wyoming Injury Lawyers’ Skilled Paralegals and Support Staff
Our Colorado and Wyoming injury lawyers are tough, dedicated courtroom warriors who will do whatever it takes to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve and the help they need with the next stage of their life. Our victories are not only earned through the collaborative efforts of our attorneys across various practice areas but through an impressive, collective effort that includes our paralegals and support staff personnel who are just as committed to protecting the rights of our clients.
Metier Law Firm, LLC employs only the most dedicated and experienced paralegals and support staff. Our paralegals are key members of our litigation team and have many years of experience assisting with personal injury cases. Our paralegals have extensive experience working with the groundbreaking trial strategies and techniques developed and implemented by Wyoming and Colorado accident attorney Thomas Metier. This allows for a more effective and efficient way of preparing exhibits and demonstrative evidence used at trial, giving our attorneys a greater chance of success.
Our staff prides itself on assisting our attorneys in delivering efficient, first-rate results for our clients. Day in and day out our staff come to work, roll up their sleeves and do what is necessary to protect the rights of the seriously injured. We diligently work toward getting you the compensation you deserve and helping you with life after your injury. This collective effort of talent and dedication is an essential element of our success. Contact a Wyoming and Colorado accident attorney at Metier Law Firm, LLC for a risk free case evaluation.
Meet our staff:
Jerry Bettenhausen
Paralegal
A native of Illinois, Jerry Bettenhausen worked in the steel industry for 19 years before deciding to change careers. In 1993, Jerry received his Associate of Applied Sciences degree from South Suburban College and started working as an insurance adjuster/investigator. Jerry and his family moved to Colorado in 1996 where he began working as a paralegal for a prominent personal injury law firm. Jerry joined Metier Law Firm in 2011. In his spare time, Jerry enjoys hiking, skiing and motorsports.
Jessica ByousJessica grew up in Colorado and graduated with a B.A. in Social Work from Colorado State University. After spending five years in Dallas, Texas, she moved back to Colorado and joined the Metier Law Firm in 2012. She is excited to be a part of the great Fort Collins community again. In her free time, Jessica enjoys throwing a frisbee for her dog Choncho and doing anything adventurous, especially if it involves family, friends, good food and Broncos football.
Michael Gill
Law Tigers Marketing Director
A native of California, Michael Gill comes to us with extensive experience in marketing and event planning. Michael attended Boise State University, where he majored in Communications and worked as a coach, followed by another coaching position at the University of Nevada, Reno. He then spent 2 years in Colorado before spending some time working in the eastern U.S. working in marketing, sales and event planning. Michael returned to Colorado in 2010 and joined the Metier Law Firm team in 2012 as the Law Tigers Marketing Director. In his spare time Michael enjoys motorsports, golf, football, basketball, snowboarding, hiking and concerts.
Lisa KellerLisa Keller graduated from Colorado State University with a Major in Speech Communications, Minor in Political Science and Concentration in Communication Theory. After graduation, she worked for the State of Wyoming Public Defender’s office before returning to Colorado in 2000. Prior to joining Metier Law Firm in 2006, Lisa worked for a general practice law firm in Fort Collins for six years. In her spare time, she enjoys activities with her family and training for triathlons.
Kris KoehlerRaised in Aurora, a job in hotel management took Kris to the South, with stops in Kentucky, Florida and Georgia. It was in Georgia that Kris went to work as a legal assistant at one of Atlanta’s premier personal injury firms. He has been assisting accident victims for 13 years. Kris is an active member of his Church. He loves spending as much time as possible with this nieces and nephew. He likes to run, read, and is an avid sports fan.
Rhonda Kohl
Executive Assistant to Tom Metier
Rhonda Kohl has been the executive assistant to Tom Metier since 2008, and she manages the day-to-day details of his schedule. She was born, raised and educated in Council Bluffs, Iowa and honed her skills as an executive assistant while working for well known Bank Presidents and CEOs in Omaha, Nebraska for 26 years. When Rhonda is not working at the firm, she enjoys traveling back to her hometown to visit her son and spending time with her husband and Labrador retriever. She also enjoys trying new restaurants and cooking.
Shannon Matthews earned her Bachelor of Arts from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. After moving to Colorado with her husband Eric, she took paralegal studies courses at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, CO. She has been working as a paralegal since 2000, in many areas of practice with a specialty in personal injury. Shannon joined Metier Law Firm in 2006. She is a former Vice President of the Larimer-Weld Association of Legal Support Staff and is a member of CTLA. In her spare time, Shannon studies as a ballet dancer and volunteers with Rocky Mountain Cocker Rescue.
Julie Melcher graduated from Illinois State University in 2002. She worked for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for three years as a legal secretary before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2005. Shortly thereafter, Julie joined Metier Law Firm as a legal assistant. Julies is a member of CTLA. In her free time, Julie enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
Jenny Merkley graduated from Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, Colorado. She later graduated from the University of Maine at Machias and then earned a paralegal certificate. She began her career as a paralegal in Key West Florida and later moved back to her home state of Colorado where she continued to work in the legal field. Jenny joined Metier Law Firm in 2003, and she is a member of CTLA. She is married with three children, two sons and a daughter. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, working in her yard, attending swim meets, and exercising.
Nikki Onda is a native to Fort Collins and continues to live in the area with her husband and two dogs. She graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and went on to obtain her paralegal certificate through the Center for Legal Studies. Nikki joined Metier Law Firm in 2007 as a paralegal, and she is a member of CTLA.
Janet Ritz was raised in Dallas, Texas and received her Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988. Thereafter, she attended St. Mary’s School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor in 1991 and went on to practice personal injury law in the Dallas and Houston areas. In 1999, Janet’s family moved to Fort Collins to be closer to her husband’s family. She joined the Metier Law Firm as the practice manager in 2009. In her spare time, Janet enjoys hiking, camping, boating and spending time with her husband of 22 years and their three children.
Karen Ross graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins and went on to attend Front Range Community College. She has worked in office administration for over 15 years and joined Metier Law firm in 2010. Karen runs the medical retrieval department and enjoys meeting with potential new clients. She has three grown children and one young granddaughter. In her spare time, Karen enjoys bike riding, boating and summer concerts.
Vanessa Speir grew up in Princeton New Jersey then moved to Washington State where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in Sociology from University of Washington in 1988. Vanessa pursued a career in wholesale nursery work until starting her family. After raising their two children in Seattle, she reentered the work force in bookkeeping and office management. In 2005, her family moved to Fort Collins, CO and the next year she joined the Metier Law Firm as an office administrator and bookkeeper. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys reading, gardening, cooking and being with her friends and family.
Lou Weinhold
Senior Case Manager
Lou Weinhold graduated from Killian Sr. High School in Miami, FL in 1974. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Army as a helicopter crew chief overseeing operations on aero-medical evacuations in Germany. After the military, he attended the University of Miami (FL). Then for the next eight years, he managed several independent insurance agencies. In 1996, he moved to Highlands Ranch, CO and began his claims career at Progressive Insurance company. In 2010, Lou began his career as the Senior Case Manager for Law Tigers. He has a daughter attending John Marshall Law School in Chicago and his son is attending Aims Community College. In his spare time, Lou enjoys the outdoors, especially going hunting and camping.