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Rachel Sternlieb

Rachel Sternlieb

Of Counsel

1400 Wewatta Street
Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202
T 303.583.9934
rachel.sternlieb@nelsonmullins.com
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Rachel focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial and business litigation, in both state and federal courts, as well as administrative forums and arbitration proceedings. Her practice includes matters ranging from business and contract disputes, including franchise and distribution litigation, to complex fraud and Ponzi scheme cases. She represents both businesses of all...

Rachel focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial and business litigation, in both state and federal courts, as well as administrative forums and arbitration proceedings. Her practice includes matters ranging from business and contract disputes, including franchise and distribution litigation, to complex fraud and Ponzi scheme cases. She represents both businesses of all sizes and individuals, as well as receivers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees and creditors in Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases. 

Rachel has represented corporate and individual clients throughout all stages of litigation, from the inception of a case, to discovery, through entry of judgment and post-judgment collection efforts. She has vast experience litigating in both state and federal courts throughout the country, including in Colorado, Wyoming, Louisiana and Mississippi. Rachel has represented clients in a variety of industries including automotive, financial services, oil and gas, oilfield support services, farming, construction, real estate, among many others. 
 

Rachel Sternlieb

sizes and individuals, as well as receivers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees and creditors in Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases. 

Rachel has represented corporate and individual clients throughout all stages of litigation, from the inception of a case, to discovery, through entry of judgment and post-judgment collection efforts. She has vast experience litigating in both state and federal courts throughout the country, including in Colorado, Wyoming, Louisiana and Mississippi. Rachel has represented clients in a variety of industries including automotive, financial services, oil and gas, oilfield support services, farming, construction, real estate, among many others. 
 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Professional Experience

  • Shareholder, Denver-based law firm (2022)
  • Associate, Denver-based law firm (2017–2021)
  • Associate, Denver-Metro-based law firm (2016–2017)
  • Associate, New Orleans-based law firm (2013–2016) 
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012–2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012)
  • Law Clerk, Metairie, Louisiana-based Firm (2011–2012)

Representative Matters

  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in various matters before the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado, liquidated bankruptcy estate assets, including real property, intellectual property assets, inventory, equipment, farm products, litigation claims, contract rights, and others. Successfully litigated multiple claims objections on behalf of the Chapter 7 trustees. 
  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in several fraudulent transfer and avoidance adversary actions against Chapter 7 debtors, insiders, and third parties. 
  • Represented Homeowners’ Association as creditor of and party to an executory contract with a Chapter 11 entity debtor in connection with the debtor’s reorganization and performance of contractual obligations. 
  • Represented creditor, as purchaser and assignee of fraudulent transfer judgment obtained by Chapter 7 trustee against principle of debtor, in connection with adversary complaint to determine non-dischargeability of debt under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A).
  • Successfully defended and prosecuted Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362.
  • Defended and successfully negotiated resolution on behalf of farming entity named as defendant in adversary litigation in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas stemming from client’s contract for the sale of industrial water to bankrupt Texas-based Chapter 7 debtor. 
  • Obtained successful result for business client that was the target of an avoidance action asserted by a Chapter 11 liquidating trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in connection with preservation and liquidation of Denver-based real estate investment and management entities’ assets following principal’s indictment for securities fraud. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in claims brought under the Colorado Organized Crimes Act. 
  • Represented private equity firm and affiliated successor entity of Wyoming-based company in connection with fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims asserted against sellers of oilfield support services company. 
  • Defended former executives of Wyoming-based bank in post-judgment collection efforts undertaken by clients’ former employer and judgment creditor. 
  • Represented business client in successfully voiding fraudulently recorded mechanics liens on Colorado real estate and obtaining attorneys fee award. 
  • Represented private equity real estate group in connection with due diligence efforts and offer to acquire defaulted multi-million-dollar debt that was secured by Colorado commercial real estate. 
  • Served as a member of the trial and discovery team for the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re: Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Second chaired multiple depositions of Chinese Defendants’ executives and expert witnesses, briefed threshold legal issues in the district and appellate courts,  and second chaired dispositive evidentiary hearings. 
  • Second chaired jury trial in Louisiana State Court and obtained successful verdict for individual in claims asserted against New Orleans-based fixed base operator and local governmental entity that owned the real property, for property damage to the individual’s aircraft. 
  • Second chaired and obtained successful verdict in medical malpractice jury trial in Jefferson Parish Louisiana state court against orthopedic surgeon for failure to timely diagnose and treat deep-seeded post-operative joint infection. 
  • Successfully briefed and litigated several dispositive motions in medical malpractice cases in both Louisiana and Mississippi state courts. 
  • Served as a law clerk at a New Orleans-based law firm from 2012 through 2013 working for a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the In re: Deepwater Horizon Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Carl A. Barbier in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Internships

  • Judicial Externship, Honorable Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (2012)

Educational Activities

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
    • Articles Editor, Journal of Public Interest Law (2012–2013)
    • Recipient, Dean’s Scholarship (2012–2013)
    • Member, Journal of Public Interest Law (2011–2013) 
    • Class Asterisk in Contracts II and Maritime Rights, Remedies and Damages in a Marine Disaster
    • Member, Maritime Law Society
    • Member, Environmental Law Society
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Professional Experience

  • Shareholder, Denver-based law firm (2022)
  • Associate, Denver-based law firm (2017–2021)
  • Associate, Denver-Metro-based law firm (2016–2017)
  • Associate, New Orleans-based law firm (2013–2016) 
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012–2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012)
  • Law Clerk, Metairie, Louisiana-based Firm (2011–2012)

Representative Matters

  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in various matters before the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado, liquidated bankruptcy estate assets, including real property, intellectual property assets, inventory, equipment, farm products, litigation claims, contract rights, and others. Successfully litigated multiple claims objections on behalf of the Chapter 7 trustees. 
  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in several fraudulent transfer and avoidance adversary actions against Chapter 7 debtors, insiders, and third parties. 
  • Represented Homeowners’ Association as creditor of and party to an executory contract with a Chapter 11 entity debtor in connection with the debtor’s reorganization and performance of contractual obligations. 
  • Represented creditor, as purchaser and assignee of fraudulent transfer judgment obtained by Chapter 7 trustee against principle of debtor, in connection with adversary complaint to determine non-dischargeability of debt under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A).
  • Successfully defended and prosecuted Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362.
  • Defended and successfully negotiated resolution on behalf of farming entity named as defendant in adversary litigation in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas stemming from client’s contract for the sale of industrial water to bankrupt Texas-based Chapter 7 debtor. 
  • Obtained successful result for business client that was the target of an avoidance action asserted by a Chapter 11 liquidating trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in connection with preservation and liquidation of Denver-based real estate investment and management entities’ assets following principal’s indictment for securities fraud. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in claims brought under the Colorado Organized Crimes Act. 
  • Represented private equity firm and affiliated successor entity of Wyoming-based company in connection with fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims asserted against sellers of oilfield support services company. 
  • Defended former executives of Wyoming-based bank in post-judgment collection efforts undertaken by clients’ former employer and judgment creditor. 
  • Represented business client in successfully voiding fraudulently recorded mechanics liens on Colorado real estate and obtaining attorneys fee award. 
  • Represented private equity real estate group in connection with due diligence efforts and offer to acquire defaulted multi-million-dollar debt that was secured by Colorado commercial real estate. 
  • Served as a member of the trial and discovery team for the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re: Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Second chaired multiple depositions of Chinese Defendants’ executives and expert witnesses, briefed threshold legal issues in the district and appellate courts,  and second chaired dispositive evidentiary hearings. 
  • Second chaired jury trial in Louisiana State Court and obtained successful verdict for individual in claims asserted against New Orleans-based fixed base operator and local governmental entity that owned the real property, for property damage to the individual’s aircraft. 
  • Second chaired and obtained successful verdict in medical malpractice jury trial in Jefferson Parish Louisiana state court against orthopedic surgeon for failure to timely diagnose and treat deep-seeded post-operative joint infection. 
  • Successfully briefed and litigated several dispositive motions in medical malpractice cases in both Louisiana and Mississippi state courts. 
  • Served as a law clerk at a New Orleans-based law firm from 2012 through 2013 working for a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the In re: Deepwater Horizon Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Carl A. Barbier in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Internships

  • Judicial Externship, Honorable Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (2012)

Educational Activities

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
    • Articles Editor, Journal of Public Interest Law (2012–2013)
    • Recipient, Dean’s Scholarship (2012–2013)
    • Member, Journal of Public Interest Law (2011–2013) 
    • Class Asterisk in Contracts II and Maritime Rights, Remedies and Damages in a Marine Disaster
    • Member, Maritime Law Society
    • Member, Environmental Law Society

Media

Visit Insights

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Colorado SuperLawyers, Rising Star in Business Litigation (2021–2024)
  • New Orleans City Business, Ones to Watch (2015)

Professional Activities

  • Member, Louisiana Bar Association
  • Member and Co-Chair: Bankruptcy Section, Colorado Bar Association
  • Member, Wyoming Bar Association
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
  • Advisory Board Member, American Bankruptcy Institute: 2023 Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference
  • Mountain/Dessert Network Board Member, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (2021–Present)

Community

  • Community Professionals Board Member, The Heart and Hand Center
  • Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House of Charities-Denver 
  • Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans, Participant (2016) 
  • Traveler’s Aid Society of Greater New Orleans, Board Member (2015–2016)

 

 

Rachel focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial and business litigation, in both state and federal courts, as well as administrative forums and arbitration proceedings. Her practice includes matters ranging from business and contract disputes, including franchise and distribution litigation, to complex fraud and Ponzi scheme cases. She represents both businesses of all... sizes and individuals, as well as receivers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees and creditors in Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases. 

Rachel has represented corporate and individual clients throughout all stages of litigation, from the inception of a case, to discovery, through entry of judgment and post-judgment collection efforts. She has vast experience litigating in both state and federal courts throughout the country, including in Colorado, Wyoming, Louisiana and Mississippi. Rachel has represented clients in a variety of industries including automotive, financial services, oil and gas, oilfield support services, farming, construction, real estate, among many others. 
 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Professional Experience

  • Shareholder, Denver-based law firm (2022)
  • Associate, Denver-based law firm (2017–2021)
  • Associate, Denver-Metro-based law firm (2016–2017)
  • Associate, New Orleans-based law firm (2013–2016) 
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012–2013)
  • Law Clerk, New Orleans-based firm (2012)
  • Law Clerk, Metairie, Louisiana-based Firm (2011–2012)

Representative Matters

  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in various matters before the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado, liquidated bankruptcy estate assets, including real property, intellectual property assets, inventory, equipment, farm products, litigation claims, contract rights, and others. Successfully litigated multiple claims objections on behalf of the Chapter 7 trustees. 
  • Represented Chapter 7 trustees in several fraudulent transfer and avoidance adversary actions against Chapter 7 debtors, insiders, and third parties. 
  • Represented Homeowners’ Association as creditor of and party to an executory contract with a Chapter 11 entity debtor in connection with the debtor’s reorganization and performance of contractual obligations. 
  • Represented creditor, as purchaser and assignee of fraudulent transfer judgment obtained by Chapter 7 trustee against principle of debtor, in connection with adversary complaint to determine non-dischargeability of debt under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A).
  • Successfully defended and prosecuted Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay under the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362.
  • Defended and successfully negotiated resolution on behalf of farming entity named as defendant in adversary litigation in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas stemming from client’s contract for the sale of industrial water to bankrupt Texas-based Chapter 7 debtor. 
  • Obtained successful result for business client that was the target of an avoidance action asserted by a Chapter 11 liquidating trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in connection with preservation and liquidation of Denver-based real estate investment and management entities’ assets following principal’s indictment for securities fraud. 
  • Represented Colorado state court-appointed receiver in claims brought under the Colorado Organized Crimes Act. 
  • Represented private equity firm and affiliated successor entity of Wyoming-based company in connection with fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims asserted against sellers of oilfield support services company. 
  • Defended former executives of Wyoming-based bank in post-judgment collection efforts undertaken by clients’ former employer and judgment creditor. 
  • Represented business client in successfully voiding fraudulently recorded mechanics liens on Colorado real estate and obtaining attorneys fee award. 
  • Represented private equity real estate group in connection with due diligence efforts and offer to acquire defaulted multi-million-dollar debt that was secured by Colorado commercial real estate. 
  • Served as a member of the trial and discovery team for the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re: Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Second chaired multiple depositions of Chinese Defendants’ executives and expert witnesses, briefed threshold legal issues in the district and appellate courts,  and second chaired dispositive evidentiary hearings. 
  • Second chaired jury trial in Louisiana State Court and obtained successful verdict for individual in claims asserted against New Orleans-based fixed base operator and local governmental entity that owned the real property, for property damage to the individual’s aircraft. 
  • Second chaired and obtained successful verdict in medical malpractice jury trial in Jefferson Parish Louisiana state court against orthopedic surgeon for failure to timely diagnose and treat deep-seeded post-operative joint infection. 
  • Successfully briefed and litigated several dispositive motions in medical malpractice cases in both Louisiana and Mississippi state courts. 
  • Served as a law clerk at a New Orleans-based law firm from 2012 through 2013 working for a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the In re: Deepwater Horizon Multidistrict Litigation before the Honorable Carl A. Barbier in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Internships

  • Judicial Externship, Honorable Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana (2012)

Educational Activities

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
    • Articles Editor, Journal of Public Interest Law (2012–2013)
    • Recipient, Dean’s Scholarship (2012–2013)
    • Member, Journal of Public Interest Law (2011–2013) 
    • Class Asterisk in Contracts II and Maritime Rights, Remedies and Damages in a Marine Disaster
    • Member, Maritime Law Society
    • Member, Environmental Law Society

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, JD
  • University of Georgia, BA
    • Member, Pre-law Society

Admissions

  • Colorado
  • Louisiana
  • Wyoming
  • Colorado Appellate Court
  • Wyoming Appellate Court
  • Louisiana Appellate Court
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Colorado SuperLawyers, Rising Star in Business Litigation (2021–2024)
  • New Orleans City Business, Ones to Watch (2015)
  • Member, Louisiana Bar Association
  • Member and Co-Chair: Bankruptcy Section, Colorado Bar Association
  • Member, Wyoming Bar Association
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
  • Advisory Board Member, American Bankruptcy Institute: 2023 Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference
  • Mountain/Dessert Network Board Member, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (2021–Present)
  • Community Professionals Board Member, The Heart and Hand Center
  • Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House of Charities-Denver 
  • Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans, Participant (2016) 
  • Traveler’s Aid Society of Greater New Orleans, Board Member (2015–2016)