Being an attorney is more than just a career. It’s a way to make a real difference in clients’ lives while giving back to the legal community. I am committed to guiding clients through disputes with their best interests at heart, helping them make informed decisions to achieve the best possible outcomes. One client said, “Alison is a leader among other attorneys in the community. She is one of the most empathetic attorneys I know and represents her clients well. She is a true advocate for her clients and colleagues.”

Alison Zinn is a dedicated advocate and trial attorney. She helps individuals and families navigate the complexities of disputes involving trusts and estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. She also represents a variety of professional fiduciaries serving the roles of personal representative, trustee, conservator, and guardian.

Committed to compassionate and efficient dispute resolution, whether through mediation or trial, Alison is known for listening deeply to clients, ensuring they feel understood before developing tailored solutions to their legal challenges. Her personalized approach allows her to build a strong foundation of trust and provides a more effective advocacy experience for clients.

With extensive experience in trust and estate litigation, Alison handles disputes involving:

  • Breach of Fiduciary Duty
  • Obtaining or Contesting Conservatorships
  • Obtaining or Contesting Guardianships
  • The validity of trusts and wills
  • Trust and Estate Administration

Alison previously represented commercial clients in banking, mortgage-backed securities, insurance, and construction defect litigation, which enhanced her ability to handle complex litigation matters. Despite her involvement in large-scale cases, she also values working with families on a more personal level.

As a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Alison is part of a distinguished group of lawyers and law professors selected by peers for their exceptional professional reputation and experience. She has been named one of Colorado’s Top Lawyers in Probate Litigation by 5280 Magazine, and her leadership and service have been featured in ColoradoBiz Magazine and the Denver Business Journal. Chambers has also recognized her for Private Wealth Law for two years. Clients value her strategic approach, adeptness in handling complex cases and dedication to ensuring their voices are heard.

When asked…

Why did you become a lawyer?

My work allows me to help and advocate for clients during some of their most difficult and dark times. It is incredibly rewarding to guide them through these challenges, help them pursue their goals, and ultimately obtain closure through the legal process. It’s meaningful to be a source of support for clients when they need it most and to make a real difference in their lives.

What do you do outside of work?

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, family, and friends whenever possible. I’m an avid reader and also love gardening, being outdoors, and winning my fantasy football league as manager of the ZinnStars by ZinnPro. I’m also an intensely dedicated Colorado Buffs football fan. I have held season tickets for 16 years and attend games with college friends. It’s a tradition I genuinely cherish.

Areas of Focus

Services

Credentials

Education

  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law (J.D., 2004)
  • University of Colorado Boulder (B.A., 2001)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Recognitions

  • Chambers High Net Worth Guide, "Leading Practitioner of Private Wealth Law," 2023-2024
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®,  2016-2025
    • Elder Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2018, 2020, 2023, 2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, 2018-2023
  • Thomson Reuters, "Colorado Super Lawyers," 2021-2024
    • "Rising Star," 2013-2020
  • 5280 Magazine: "Top Lawyer," Probate Litigation, 2015-2024
  • Law Week Colorado: Barrister's Best People's Choice, "Best Trust/Estates Attorney," 2019
  • Law Week: "Top Woman Lawyer," 2019
  • ColoradoBiz Magazine: Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals, 2015; Top Five, "The Builder"
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys: Member, 2012-2015
  • Gary McPherson Outstanding Young Lawyer Award:
    • Nominee, 2010-2011, 2013-2014
    • Finalist, 2013
  • 5280 Magazine: Featured in "The Colorado Woman" article, December 2013
  • CBS4 Denver: Featured for healthy lifestyle and fundraising as a family member of breast cancer survivor, 2010

Presentations

  • Co-presenter, "Rabin: An All-Access Pass?" Colorado Bar Association's 44th Annual Estate Planning Retreat, June 14, 2024
  • Co-presenter at June 2022, Estate Planning Retreat, Colorado Legal Education Seminar, “Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity,” Vail Colorado.
  • Co-presenter at March 17, 2022, Denver Estate Planning Council Virtual Meeting, "How to Reduce the Likelihood of Estate and Trust Litigation in the Planning and Administration Phases."
  • Lecturer at September 9, 2021, Lathrop GPM internal programming, “Fiduciary Issues in Trust and Estate Litigation.” Virtual Presentation.
  • Co-lecturer at June 30, 2021, “Avoiding Litigation as a Fiduciary,” sponsored by Lathrop GPM. Virtual.
  • Co-lecturer – April 8, 2021, “Dealing with ‘Civilian’ Trustees When there is a Dispute During Trust Administration,” sponsored by the CBA Trust and Estate Section. Virtual.
  • Panelist at October 21, 2020, 1st Judicial Bar Association, “We Want You: How to Apply for Judgeship in the 1st JD,” Golden, Colorado.
  • Panelist at February 10, 2020, Colorado Women’s Bar Association, “Storming the Commissions,” Denver, Colorado.
  • Panelist at November 14, 2019, Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program, “Demystifying the Partnership Track,” Denver, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at September 26, 2019, Rocky Mountain Area Conference for Finance and Accounting Professionals, “If you Wrestle With a Pig You Might Get Dirty,” Arvada, Colorado.
  • Panelist at September 20, 2019, 1st Judicial Bar Association, “We Want You: How to Apply for Judgeship in the 1st JD,” Golden, Colorado.
  • Faculty at June 6-8, 2019, Estate Planning Retreat, Colorado Legal Education Seminar, “Back to Basics for the Courtroom,” Vail, Colorado.
  • Co-lecturer at February 27, 2019, “Practical Tips and Considerations Under the Colorado Uniform Trust Code,” sponsored by Lathrop Gage, Denver, CO.
  • Faculty at December 6-8, 2018, “Rocky Mountain Deposition Skills Program,” sponsored by National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Boulder, CO.
  • Lecturer at November 6, 2018, “Top 10 Tips for the Professional Fiduciary to Avoid Litigation,” sponsored by Lathrop Gage, Overland Park, KS.
  • Lecturer at October 17, 2018, “Top 10 Tips for the Professional Fiduciary to Avoid Litigation,” sponsored by Lathrop Gage, Denver, CO.
  • Lecturer at October 11, 2018, “Top 10 Tips for the Professional Fiduciary to Avoid Litigation,” sponsored by Lathrop Gage, Kansas City, MO.
  • Moderator at September 23, 2018, “Business-Education Partnerships for a Ready Workforce”, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Denver, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at May 17, 2018, “Back to Basics for the Courtroom,” sponsored by the CBA Trust and Estate Section, Denver, CO.
  • Lecturer at April 3, 2018, “Working with GALs: Inside the World of a Problem Solver,” sponsored by the CBA Trust and Estate Section, Denver, CO.
  • Lecturer at April 12, 2017, “Mental Capacity,” sponsored by the El Paso Bar Association Trust & Estate Section in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at March 17, 2017, “When Guardianship Will Only Make Things Worse,” sponsored by the CBA Trust and Estate Section (Spring Update) Denver, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at May 4, 2016, “Attorney-Client Privilege” Trusts and Estates Lunch & Learn Series
  • Lecturer at August 8, 2015, Family Law Institute, “Divorce, Dementia, and Disability…Not So Happily Ever After,” sponsored by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Denver, Colorado.
  • Panelist at October 24, 2014, program, “Presidential Pathways: Navigating the Leadership Pipeline in CBA, DBA, and CWBA,” Colorado Bar Association and Colorado Women’s Bar Association Program, Denver, Colorado.
  • Panelist at March 5, 2015, program, “The Grit Project,” Colorado Women’s Bar Association Program, Denver, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at February 22, 2013, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, “Ethics and Advising the Fiduciary,” sponsored by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Denver, Colorado.
  • Lecturer at September 21, 2012, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, “Trial of a Will Contest,” sponsored by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Denver, Colorado.
  • Panelist at November 8, 2013, Colorado Women’s Bar Association Program, “Asserting Your Worth: Communicating with Confidence and Power,” Denver, Colorado.
  • Panelist at January 10, 2013, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, “Bias and Discrimination Within the Legal Profession,” sponsored by Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Denver, Colorado.

Publications

Professional Activities

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow, 2022
  • Appointed by Colorado Supreme Court as Commissioner to the Office of Public Guardianship (April 2019- October 2021).
  • Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Regulation Advisory Committee, appointed member 2020
  • Appointed to Judicial Nominating Commission, 1st Judicial District, by Governor John Hickenlooper in 2017 for a seven-year term.
  • Colorado Legal Regulation Committee, Appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court, 2016-Present, Vice Chair, 2020
  • Colorado Bar Association
    • Executive Counsel, 2016-2018
    • Board of Governors, 2016-2018
    • Elder Law Section, Executive Council, Member at Large 2019-2021
    • Trust and Estate Section, Probate Trial and Procedures Subcommittee, 2005-Present
    • Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (“COBALT”), Class of 2016; 2017 Sessions Committee
  • Chief Justice Nancy Rice’s Commission on Professional Development: Commissioner, Mid-Career Working Group 2014-2019
  • Colorado Women’s Bar Association
    • Nominating Committee 2019-2020
    • Board of Directors: Vice President 2018-2019; Executive Committee 2018-2019
    • Nominating Committee, 2017
    • Board of Directors: Vice President 2016-2017; Executive Committee 2016-2017
    • Board of Directors: Immediate Past President 2015-2016; Executive Committee 2015-2016
    • Board of Directors: President 2014-2015; Executive Committee 2014-2015
    • Board of Directors: President-Elect; Executive Committee 2013-2014
    • Board of Directors: Co-Chair Membership Committee 2012-2013
    • Board of Directors: Co-Chair Professional Advancement Committee 2011-2012
    • Board of Directors: Co-Chair Legal Services Committee 2009-2010, 2010-2011
  • Colorado Supreme Court Committee, Judicial Dream Team, Committee member, 2018-present
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), faculty 2018-present
  • Denver Bar Association: Member; 2016-2018 served as a Governor to the Colorado Board of Governors on behalf of the Denver Bar Association
  • Center for Work Education and Employment, Leadership Advisory Board, 2016
  • Colorado Women's Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2013-2014; Circle of Minerva
  • Colorado Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • American Bar Association
  • GLBT Bar Association
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2012-2015

Community Involvement

  • Denver Probate Court, Probate Pro Se Clinic, Volunteer, 2015-Present
  • Griffith Centers for Children, Peaks Challenge, Leader, 2010-2014
  • Breast Cancer Research: More than years of raising funds through personal efforts and the Susan G. Komen Foundation