Kayla Marie Mendez is an associate in the Environmental, Safety & Health Practice Group at the Denver office, where she assists clients with appellate and administrative law litigation and regulatory compliance matters. She also supports clients through white collar and government investigations.
Kayla Marie has challenged rulemakings and administrative adjudications by a variety of federal and state agencies. She has extensive experience with regulatory statutes, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Water Act, the Exchange Act, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Prior to joining the firm, Kayla Marie served as a judicial intern for the Colorado Supreme Court and 20th Judicial District Court of Colorado.
For her potential to be a transformational leader, the University of Colorado Law School selected Kayla Marie as a Leaders in Law and Community Scholar. During her fellowship, she worked in the Criminal Immigration Defense Clinic as a student attorney for two years, gaining invaluable experience advocating for her clients. Kayla Marie’s peers also placed her in leadership positions on the Council for Racial Justice and Equity, the Graduate and Professional Student Government, and the Latino/a Law Students Association.
Functioned as a lead associate on a team that successfully obtained vacatur and remand on appeal in the US Supreme Court.
Challenged rulemakings and adjudication decisions by a variety of agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the US Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE).
Assisted in obtaining intervention in FERC proceedings for an international energy firm and successfully motioning for access to privileged documents critical to the client’s position.
Secured summary judgment for a global automobile manufacturer.
Reviewed imported product labels and formulas to ensure compliance with Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau regulations and any applicable international requirements.
Educated a technology company on needed procedural changes to properly handle, store, and ship hazardous materials under EPA, OSHA, and Department of Transportation regulations.
Advised consumer lenders and national financial institutions regarding consumer protection licensing requirements and compliance at a federal level and across all 50 states.
Maintained required licensures and managed nationwide state examinations for a prominent wireless finance company.
Counseled a city on the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to identify allowable land conversion projects.
Instructed a tax-exempt organization on the proper procedure to merge the assets of two distinct types of tax-exempt entities and subsequently dissolve the liquidated entity in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code.
Prepared a large industrial manufacturing client for FERC enforcement inquiries.
Supported an internal investigation for a publicly traded entity ahead of government investigations.
Conducted extensive motions and briefing practice as a primary associate in an APA challenge for a substantial mineral exploration and development client.
Appealed a permit denial to a state supreme court for a waste management company.
Drafted amicus curiae briefs in challenges to a complex SEC rulemaking and an agency adjudication.
The Sports Lawyers Association
Former Associate Editor, University of Colorado Law Review
Co-presenter, “The National Basketball Association (NBA) Apron Era,” The Colorado Bar Association Sports & Entertainment Law Section, June 11, 2026.
Co-author, “Is the President Democratically Accountable?” Reuters, December 19, 2025.