Molly Kokesh

Molly Kokesh is a senior associate at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP with a focus on complex commercial trials and appeals in state and federal courts. Ms. Kokesh has obtained favorable appellate outcomes before the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit, the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. At the trial level, she has defended clients against antitrust claims, contract claims, and class-action lawsuits. She has represented clients in high-stakes natural resources litigation involving CERCLA and the Clean Water Act. She has also helped clients respond to crisis-related events, including internal investigations, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pre-enforcement proceedings, and OSHA administrative proceedings. In 2021, Law Week Colorado named Ms. Kokesh an “Up and Coming Lawyer” for her work on complex appeals. She was named a Colorado Rising Star by Thomson Reuters in both 2023 and 2024. Ms. Kokesh currently serves on the firm’s associate committee.

Prior to joining DGS, Ms. Kokesh served as a law clerk to the Honorable David M. Ebel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and for Chief Justice Nancy Rice of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Ms. Kokesh earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, graduating in the top 1% of her class. She received her B.A. from Augustana University, where she graduated magna cum laude, earned All-American honors in track, and helped her cross country team win an NCAA Division II National Championship.

Representative Experience

• In CERCLA contribution action, obtained favorable bench trial verdict from District of Montana, successfully defended result before the Ninth Circuit, and obtained denial of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Obtained favorable appellate ruling in contract dispute over ancient deeds before the Colorado Court of Appeals
• Represented oil and gas company in class action royalty dispute.
• Represented telecommunications company in contract dispute.
• Represented healthcare company in defending allegations of antitrust violations.

Presentations & Publications

• Judge Zita Weinshienk’s Legacy, The 1891 Blog by the Colorado Women’s Bar Association (December 2022)
• eDiscovery 101: The Basics of Conducting Efficient and Effective Electronic Discovery, CBA-CLE (April 2022)

Community involvement

• Mile High United Way, Catalyst Society Member
• Huntington’s Disease Society of America Rocky Mountain Chapter, Board Member
• Law School...Yes, We Can, Volunteer Mentor
• William E. Doyle Inn of Court