Elizabeth (Liz) Alice Och
Counsel Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Liz Och is dedicated to resolving her clients' complex litigation challenges. Liz pairs her written and oral advocacy skills with her scientific background to carefully evaluate and efficiently solve her clients’ most complicated problems.
Liz counsels clients in all stages of litigation, from initial case assessment through trial. She has experience litigating cases arising under federal statutes such as the False Claims Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the federal environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Clean Air Act. Liz also has experience with both government and internal compliance investigations.
In any context, Liz is a valuable asset for the team. She is quick to learn her clients' industries and motivations to identify pragmatic, business-minded solutions. Clients value Liz's leadership, team-mindedness, and project-management skills.
Liz is passionate about giving back to her community. She is a member of the firm's recruiting committee and a co-chair of the Denver office's summer associate program. Liz previously served on the board of the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado and is a current board member of the Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF). She also maintains an active pro bono practice.
During law school, Liz was a founding member of The Michigan Journal of Environmental & Administrative Law. She also holds a master's of science from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Representative experience
First-chaired trial in breach-of-contract case regarding commercial lease dispute in Colorado state court.
Represented medical device distributor in six-week federal jury trial in complex False Claims Act/Anti-Kickback Statute case in the District of Minnesota.
Defended major technology company in case brought by another PRP under CERCLA Sections 107 and 113; successfully dismissed Section 107 claim on motion-to-dismiss briefing.
Representing an industrial client in various environmental and litigation matters in connection with a Superfund site in Washington state.
Conducted fast-paced, on-site internal investigation of exposure under the Clean Air Act related to ethylene oxide emissions at medical device manufacturing facility.
Dismissed a purported class action brought by a royalty holder against an oil and gas company before the Denver District Court and Colorado Court of Appeals.
Successfully briefed BLM lease-prioritization matter in federal court for Peabody Energy, freeing up over US$1bn of coal for extraction.
Representing a higher education finance nonprofit organization in a proposed class-action suit, successfully securing dismissal of the claims.
Credentials
- M.S., University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, 2014
- J.D., University of Michigan Law School, cum laude, 2013
- B.A., Northwestern University, 2010
- Colorado
- Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington