Attorneys
Fred L. Otis
A native of Greeley, Colorado, Fred is the deal-maker and the go-to Greeley real estate attorney. He focuses on commercial real estate and business transactions and has practiced in Greeley for over 30 years. Fred received his undergraduate degree from John Brown University and his law degree from the University of Arkansas. Fred is admitted to practice in Colorado and before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Weld County Bar Association, serving as President from 1988 to 1989, and as Chairman of the Real Estate Section from 1979 to 1986. Read More
Jeffrey T. Bedingfield
Jeff, a long-time resident of Greeley, Colorado, is our go-to business lawyer. Often found behind piles of papers to be reviewed for the next big business deal, Jeff counsels individuals and businesses in all types of general business matters, from routine questions about management, employment, or contracts, to large acquisitions or planning for the transition or succession of the business to the next generation. Jeff earned his law degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. During law school, he served for three years as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Judge Howard J. Blanding of the Circuit Court for Clackamas County, Oregon. Read More
Timothy P. Brynteson
Tim is not your average tax attorney. He is a business pro, having previously managed a large Ford dealership in Greeley, Colorado. Tim represents individuals and families in estate planning matters, including business succession planning. He also routinely advises businesses on general business matters, and can provide representation in tax controversies. Tim graduated in 1991 from the University of Colorado, Boulder School of Law. During law school, he clerked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Civil Division and after graduation went to work for the Office of District Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. He was responsible for trying cases in front of the Tax Court, advising the IRS on tax law and collection matters, and was appointed as Special Assistant United States Attorney to represent the IRS in Bankruptcy Court. Read More
John A. Kolanz
John Kolanz brings over 25 years of practice experience in environmental and natural resource law to Otis & Bedingfield, LLC. John spent the first eight years of his career in the highly-regarded environmental section of a large law firm. There he was part of a sophisticated practice counseling corporate clients on a broad range of regulatory compliance and permitting issues arising out of business operations, enforcement activities, and real estate transactions. Read More
Lia Szasz
An experienced trial lawyer, Lia has obtained favorable results for her clients before both judges and juries and also encourages clients to seek alternative means of dispute resolution as well. Lia is admitted to practice law in Colorado, Wyoming, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Lia earned her undergraduate degree from Washington State University. After graduation, she continued her education and received her J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2015. While in law school, Lia was already honing her talents as a litigator and was awarded best overall combined brief and oral argument in the Colorado Appellate Advocacy Competition. Read More
Corey W. Moore
Corey Moore is a member of the firm’s transaction team. Born in Broomfield, Colorado, Corey most recently worked as a law clerk at Donahoe & Young, LLP in Valencia, California, where he handled bankruptcy, business, and real estate matters. A former middle and high school history teacher, Corey holds a BA in History from the University of California, Berkeley and earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he focused on estate and tax planning. During his tenure at Pepperdine University, Corey gained valuable experience working in-house at a global fixed-income investment firm in London, a litigation and transactional firm in Denver, and with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Hardcore Gang Division. Read More
James B. Godbold
James’ practice focuses on oil and gas, real estate, business, and litigation. Prior to joining the firm, James was a partner with a law firm that specialized in oil & gas and mineral law. James has represented mineral owners, oil and gas operators, well service companies, pipeline companies, construction companies, land holding companies, oil refineries and industry associations throughout Colorado, Indiana, and Kentucky. James routinely represents clients in lease negotiation and acquisition, negotiating purchase and sale agreements for the sale of mineral rights, and negotiating and preparing surface use agreements, joint operating agreements, participation agreements, and confidentiality agreements. He regularly advises clients on relevant regulations, case law, and statutes as they relate to the oil and gas industry. In addition, James has extensive experience in reviewing title, conducting due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures, and preparing due diligence, acquisition, pre-drill, and division order title opinions, as well as performing curative work to resolve title defects and concerns. Read More
Lee Morehead
A native of Greeley, Lee is a member of our litigation team. Lee’s practice focuses on business and real estate issues specifically probate and employment law.
Lee received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree from the University of Denver and his law degree from Vermont Law School, where he was a notes editor for the Vermont Law Review. Lee is admitted to practice in Colorado and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Previously, Lee served as the President of the Weld County Bar Association and was instrumental in the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of our historic Weld County Courthouse. Read More
Stacey L. Shea
A Texas native, Stacey joined the Army Reserves in 2000. While in the Reserves, she attended Texas Tech University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in business. After serving two tours with the US Army in Afghanistan and Iraq (2003-2004 and 2006-2008), Stacey attended law school and she received her law degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2011. During and after law school, she worked as a defense contractor in Washington, DC and in Denver where her work focused on information sharing and collaboration policy issues between the various intelligence agencies. She eventually made her way to the Roaring Fork Valley where she practiced immigration law in Glenwood Springs before moving to an in-house counsel position with a private family office in Aspen.
Stacey earned her LL.M. taxation degree from Villanova University. She is also a member of the Colorado Bar Association. Her practice at Otis & Bedingfield, LLC focuses on business and real estate transactions.Read More
Savannah M. Nelson
Attorney Savannah Nelson is a member of our litigation team, focusing on legal issues involving business and real estate litigation.
Savannah earned two Bachelor degrees at Colorado State University, before graduating from the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie, Wyoming.
During law school, Savannah served as an intern for the Greeley Municipal Court and to Judge Julie Field in the 8th Judicial District. Savannah also gained experience from participation in the University of Wyoming’s Estate Planning Practicum, where she had the opportunity to work with clients to resolve various legal issues involving trusts and estate planning.
Savannah is a member of the Weld County Bar Association, the Boulder County Bar Association, and the Colorado Bar Association.
As a native Coloradoan, Savannah always had a desire to practice law in Northern Colorado, as she is passionate about all that the region has to offer. In her free time, Savannah enjoys spending time with family, walking her dog, completing puzzles, hiking, camping, and cheering on the Denver Broncos.
Support Staff
Jennifer Vannoy
Firm Administrator
Jennifer is our Firm Administrator, which means she oversees all of the day to day operations of the firm, and handles all of the budgeting, accounting, planning, staffing, and all things IT. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She has extensive business management and accounting experience.
Leigh Downing
Senior Transactional Paralegal
Leigh is attorney Fred L. Otis’ paralegal and has worked with him for over 20 years. She grew up in Greeley and graduated from Greeley West High School. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Integrative Healthcare from Metropolitan State University. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, continually learning and assisting others.
Diane R. Goddard
Paralegal
Diane is the paralegal to attorneys Jeffrey T. Bedingfield, Timothy P. Brynteson and John A. Kolanz. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in 1989. She has over 28 years of prior experience working for law firms in Greeley and Fort Collins, with 20 of those years working for Jeff Bedingfield.
Christy Roche
Paralegal
Christy is a paralegal for our litigation team. She received her Post-Bachelor Paralegal Certificate from Lansing Community College in 2013. She received her Bachelors of Business Administration from Northwood University in 2011. Christy moved to Colorado from Michigan in 2013. She has experience with legal research and rental property management, as well as volunteer work for the Arenac County Prosecutor’s Office in Michigan.
Deb Zion Johnson
Paralegal
Deb is a paralegal for our litigation team. A Colorado native, she has over 30 years’ experience providing contract legal support services, which includes 23 years at a top 100 U.S. law firm as Executive Assistant/Paralegal to the group leader. She attained her Paralegal Certificate from Community College of Aurora in 2010. Deb is an individual that loves to be constantly learning. She is passionate about health and fitness, and travels at every opportunity. Deb is a member of the Greeley Business Women Network, Colorado Women of Influence, Northern Colorado Business Women’s Network and Evans Chamber of Commerce. Deb is also a fundraising volunteer for the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, and volunteers with Weld Food Bank & Liv2Giv.
Pam Thompson
Receptionist / Legal Assistant
Pam is the face of O&B, and serves as the legal assistant to our transactions team. She has significant previous experience in law firms and in the oil and gas and real estate development industries. She attended Aims Community College.
