Meet Our Team

Denver, Colorado Probate Lawyers

Local experts with decades of combined experience

R. Eric Solem • FOUNDING PARTNER

Eric founded the firm in 1990. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School and is licensed in both Wisconsin and Colorado. Eric has practiced before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit Court of appeals and the United States Supreme Court. His current emphasis is in the drafting of special needs trusts and Medicaid and Medicare lien resolution. Eric's successes include numerous elder law cases in the appellate courts and federal and state lower courts. He won the only Colorado State cases establishing restrictions on Medicaid estate recoveries and Medicaid personal injury liens.

Eric is a co-founder and past President of the Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities, Inc., has been distinguished as a Colorado "Super Lawyer" for many years, and is a long time member of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and the Trust and Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association.

Zachary F. Woodward • PARTNER

Zach received a BA in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder, and went on to receive his JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He began his career as a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado. During his time as a prosecutor, he conducted more than 50 jury trials, securing justice in cases ranging from felony drug trafficking to sex assault, kidnapping and murder.

Zach joined Solem Woodward & McKinley, P.C. as an associate in 2019, focusing primarily on probate litigation, though he handles all matters related to estate planning and legal protection for our community's most vulnerable members: children, those with disabilities, and the elderly. In 2021, Zach became a partner with the firm. Zach is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations.

Lance E. McKinley • PARTNER

Lance E. McKinley is a partner with the law firm of Solem Woodward & McKinley, P.C. His practice focuses on probate matters, disability trusts, estate planning and administration, and public benefits issues. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2001. He joined the firm in 2004 and has been a partner there since 2010. Prior to private practice, he was a law clerk in Arapahoe County District Court, where he clerked for the Hon. Juanita L. Rice and the Hon. Gerald J. Rafferty.

He has presented continuing education services to other lawyers on the topics of Qualified Settlement Funds, Medicare Set-Asides in liability cases, and the state Medicaid appeals process. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and Arapahoe County Bar Association.

David F. Steinhoff • OF COUNSEL

David has been practicing law for 41 years. He earned his BA in History and Mathematics and JD from the University of Denver. Prior to joining the firm in 1997, he served as Staff Attorney and Division Director for Colorado Legal Services and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado.

In addition to representing clients in estate planning and litigation, he has held fiduciary roles (trustee, conservator, special administrator, and personal representative) throughout his practice and has written articles and taught classes for the legal community and public on topics such as Estate Planning, Estate Litigation, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid, Guardianships, and Conservatorships. David served as Deputy Public Administrator for the 18th Judicial District from 2002 to 2010. He is a member of the Trust & Estates and Elder Law Sections of the Colorado Bar Association and of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). David speaks fluent Spanish.

Owen Thilly • OF COUNSEL

Owen graduated from Colorado College with a B.A. in History/Political Science in 2002 and from The University of Montana School of Law in 2008. In between his undergraduate and law school years, Owen was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chiriqui, Panama. As an environmental conservation volunteer, Owen facilitated the creation of a home garden network, a fisherman’s association and got a lot of bug bites. After law school, Owen was a plaintiff’s attorney at a small firm in Missoula, MT, specializing in personal injury claims, workers’ compensation claims, and social security disability benefits. Most recently, Owen was a Regional Attorney in the Office of Hearings Operations at the Social Security Administration, where he spent over 12 years assisting management teams with labor and employment law issues. Owen also conducted numerous high-profile harassment and hostile work environment investigations at the agency.

Owen joined the firm in March 2025, using his diverse experience to focus on estate planning, probate litigation, protected persons settlement approvals and public benefits. Owen is a member of the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association and the Trust and Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association.

Andrew "AJ" Gwirtsman • ATTORNEY

Andrew “AJ’ Gwirtsman joined the firm in 2023 after spending the first few years of his career in general practice, doing mostly family and criminal defense law, as well as helping clients with their estate planning and business formation needs. AJ received his BA in History from Colorado College and his JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

AJ primarily handles probate litigation, estate planning and estate administration. AJ is a member of the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, and Denver Bar Association.

Rison LaBrec • ATTORNEY

Rison LaBrec joined the firm in 2025 as a law clerk while attending the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he earned his JD in 2026. He received a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, with minors in Legal Studies and Political Science.

Prior to law school, Rison served as a Judicial Clerk for the Jefferson County Combined Courts, where he gained experience with court operations, judicial decision-making, and legal processes. He later returned to the court during law school, working closely with the judiciary and observing court proceedings.

While attending law school, Rison participated in the Tribal Wills Project, assisting with the preparation of wills and other estate planning documents for tribal members at the invitation of participating Tribes and Nations. Through this work, he gained practical experience in estate planning and helping individuals and families prepare for the future.

Kelli Herrin • PARALEGAL

Kelli joined the firm in 2023. She graduated Cum Laude from Arapahoe Community College with an AAS in Paralegal Studies in May of 2024. She is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association.

Jacob Underwood• PARALEGAL

Jacob joined the firm in 2026 after he was lured from his hometown of Houston, Texas by the siren call of the Rocky Mountains. He has nearly a decade of paralegal experience focusing on Real Estate Law, Business Litigation and Estate Planning. Jacob received his BBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas.

Hector Galarce • INTAKE COORDINATOR

Hector Galarce is the firm's Intake and Client Relations Specialist, bringing more than 36 years of experience in client advocacy, administrative operations, and customer service. As the first point of contact for prospective clients, he oversees the intake and case triage process, ensuring every individual receives prompt, compassionate, and professional support. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Hector is passionate about helping people feel heard and supported during challenging times. Known for his warm demeanor, attention to detail, and commitment to exceptional client service, he strives to make every client's first interaction with the firm a positive and reassuring experience.

Maria Garcia • FRONT DESK COORDINATOR

Maria is the first point of contact for clients at our firm. Fluent in both English and Spanish she ensures every client is responded to promptly and welcomed with professionalism.

Maria brings more than 6 years of experience in administrative support and customer service. She is highly skilled at managing a busy front desk, coordinating schedules, and keeping operations running smoothly. Prior to joining our team she worked in various industries developing a strong foundation in client relations.

Her role as front desk coordinator plays a key role in helping our office maintain a high standard of client care and organized efficiency.

Solem-Law_Denver-Lawyer_Nathan-Williams.

Nathan Williams • IN MEMORIAM • PARTNER

Partner and friend, Nathan Williams, passed away unexpectedly on May 16, 2021. He will be greatly missed.

Nathan was both a CPA and an Attorney. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Miami University (Ohio), and began his career as an accountant in Chicago before relocating to Denver to attend the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law where he earned both his J.D. degree and LLM in taxation.

In addition to probate litigation (including trusts and estates, will contests, conservatorship and guardianship matters), Nathan was an experienced estate planner and estate administrator. He was a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, and the Colorado Society of CPAs.

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