Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is pleased to welcome Associate Attorney Ellie Thurston to the firm.
Ellie earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School in May 2022. During law school, she developed a strong foundation in Indigenous rights and environmental law through a variety of academic and advocacy experiences. She volunteered with the Maya Land Rights and Development Project, contributing to legislative drafting efforts to protect Maya customary land title, participated in the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic, and served on the Colorado Environmental Law Journal.
Following graduation, Ellie served as the American Indian Law Program Fellow at the University of Colorado Law School. In that role, she worked with The Implementation Project, a collaborative initiative between Colorado Law and the Native American Rights Fund, advancing implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through education, research, and advocacy.
Prior to joining Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP, Ellie served as an Attorney-Adviser with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel as a member of the Federal Indian Law Team. There, she advised on matters involving the federal trust responsibility, Indigenous Knowledge, cultural resource protection, treaty rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She also reviewed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents to help ensure Tribal interests were thoughtfully considered throughout the federal decision-making process.
Originally from Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, Ellie earned her Bachelor of Science in Geography from Penn State before pursuing her legal education. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time on the water with her dog, Bernie.
“We are excited to welcome Ellie to Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen,” said Jeremy Patterson. “Her experience in Federal Indian law, environmental law, and Indigenous rights advocacy, along with her dedication to serving Tribal communities, makes her an outstanding addition to our team. We look forward to the perspective and experience she brings to our clients and the firm.”