Beth Andersen, Owner and Attorney

She participated in the legal aid clinic, International Law Society and International Law Journal during her time at Cornell. Beth also clerked for a law professor and then at the law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren in Manhattan. She was fortunate to have handled cases from divorce to complex litigation and even to have written her first parenting plan in a contested divorce before graduating from law school.

Commercial Litigation: Upon graduating, Beth joined Kelley Drye & Warren as a litigation associate. She essentially lived and worked at that Park Avenue firm night and day. She worked on products liability defense, complex commercial and securities litigation, personal injury defense and a pro bono asylum case for the Lawyer’s Commission on Human Rights. Beth was luckier than many “big firm” attorneys because her firm allowed me to handle everything from depositions and brief writing to arguing motions, appeals and even trials.

Legal Services: She chose to leave commercial practice and follow her heart to legal services as a staff attorney for MFY Legal Services. This was a chance to serve the underserved by handling social security, housing, benefits and family law issues for formerly homeless clients. Beth was more fortunate than many legal services attorneys because her employer allowed her to act as lead counsel on Velazquez v. State of New York, a class action on child support enforcement against the indigent disabled.

Colorado and Family Law: In 1995, Beth’s family chose to relocate to beautiful Colorado. She helped raise three sons while working and volunteering for the Colorado PTA legislative committee, Mountain Resource Center and several nonprofits. It wasn’t until she found herself reeling from her own divorce that she realized she could really make a difference in the field of family law:

Going through the divorce process as a client, Beth saw things she could do differently by implementing what she had learned in both the elite, competitive field of commercial practice and the innovative, low-cost world of poverty law.

Small Firm Practice: Until going out on her own, Beth worked at the small local firm Johnson & Associates, PC. Again she was lucky her employer allowed her to grow and manage her own client base and to take those clients with her when she started her own firm.

Andersen Law PC: On Oct. 1, 2014, Beth opened the doors to Andersen Law PC and things have not slowed down for a moment. Beth and her team serve several active cases in family law as well as handle estate planning. Beth is a single point of contact for all of her clients. She has a team of contractors, but you hire her to work your case and you always work directly with her.

Continuing Education: Whether through the latest technology or keeping up on Family Law trends, Beth continues to learn and expand her education in order to best serve her clients. Education has always been important to Beth and she always exceeds the continuing legal education requirements, including participating in an annual retreat on Family Law and completing a 40-hour mediation training.

Community Service: Beth has also served on the Jefferson County Access to Justice Committee, Evergreen Rotary Board, Evergreen Chamber Board, Lutheran Church of the Cross Council, Video Conferencing Pro Bono Program for Colorado and Mock Trial Coaching. She helped form and is on the board of the 501(c)(3) Evergreen Chamber Community Fund. Beth continues to serve the underserved with several hours of pro bono legal work each month and has been recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court for her pro bono work for three years in a row.

Jody Dertina, Office Manager

“Not only is it important to catch hold of the company’s mission and vision, it is equally important to have in place a road map that shows how a process is communicated and done from start to finish.”

With tenacity, Jody thrives on seeing a job well done, providing business leaders with clear and accurate information, and keeping an open mind to learning. She credits prayer and perseverance as the keys to her success.

Jody chooses to make a positive difference in whatever comes her way by listening, learning and living by the Golden Rule.

She adheres to a servant leadership model, which seeks a win-win outcome for all.

“My work ethic is strong, and my demeanor generally easy and calm. I do my best to listen with an objective ear, and take time to process before reacting,” she says. “Never taking a client for granted, I go beyond standard practices to bring success for the people I am fortunate to serve.”

Jody has a long history of working with organizations of various sizes in administrative roles as well as launching her own businesses. She has also been a Realtor for over 30 years. A highlight of her career was when she was able to combine her expertise in office management and real estate as the Locally-Engaged Office Manager for the Consulate General of Canada in Denver. For five years, she managed owned and leased properties of Her Majesty’s Crown. She was able to work with the U.S. State Department, and among other duties, had an emphasis on material and asset management, making sure that supplies were ordered, inventoried, and that artwork and other investments were counted and preserved.

A lifelong learner, Jody has a vast educational background. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minor in Theology; Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction; and PhD work in Biblical Counseling and Religious Studies. She is also a licensed real estate broker and insurance producer and has earned certificates in life coaching.

Overall, Jody is motived by her family and faith.

“The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to do things with grace and excellence,” she says. “Getting up every day and saying, ‘Thank you for my blessings and new opportunities.’ ”

Jody is a Colorado native, born in Pueblo, who lives in Littleton. Additionally, she’s lived in over 17 states and England, and loves to travel.

“My family is my heart and I enjoy traveling the world with them,” she says.

When it comes to free time, reading and writing are two of Jody’s passions. She also enjoys volunteering for/with others who encounter challenges in life’s journey and supporting missionaries with their special needs. She also loves “trying to play golf, and hiking and biking through this beautiful world!”

Education

• Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, Colorado, Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, 1996
• Colorado Baptist University (Southwest Baptist University), Denver, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minor in Sociology/Theology
• Denver Seminary, Denver, 17 hours of graduate level Psychology and Psychological Testing Methods, 1990
• LES Assistants to Program Managers, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 2007
• Department Foreign Affairs – International Trade, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Computer Skills, Diplomatic Writing, Protocol, Language training, 2006-2011
• Trinity Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana, Doctor of Religious Studies Candidate with Emphasis on Counseling

Former Employment Positions

• Office Manager/Payroll, Nu-Look Driveways, Inc., Littleton, Colorado
• Broker Associate, Brokers Guild, Cherry Creek, Ltd., Lakewood, Colorado
• ISU Accounting and Booking Technician, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Dept., Golden, Colorado
• Insurance Producer, Premier Financial Benefits LLC
• Office Manager, Consulate General of Canada, Denver
• Broker, St. Ives Real Estate LLC, Littleton, Colorado
• Owner/Counselor, Cornerstone Counseling and Consulting Center, Lakewood, Colorado
• Supervisor, Talent Tree, Denver