Denise Clem
Littleton,Colorado
Summary
Strategic attorney with extensive experience in commercial real estate across healthcare, restaurant, and retail sectors. Recognized for mentoring teams in drafting and negotiating complex agreements while delivering practical, solutions-focused counsel to clients. Proven track record in risk mitigation during transactions and fostering strong client relationships.
Overview
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel
DAVITA INC.
Denver, CO
11.2015 - Current
- Negotiated, drafted, and reviewed various commercial real estate agreements, including leases and contracts.
- Led due diligence for real estate transactions, analyzing surveys and environmental reports to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
- Advised clients to resolve landlord-tenant disputes by enforcing lease provisions.
- Managed and mentored attorneys and staff in preparing documentation for real estate and dispute resolutions.
- Supported development facilities and construction teams in addressing real estate needs to facilitate project success.
- Directed departmental goals, budgets, and performance expectations to enhance operational efficiency.
- Managed budget allocations to optimize resource utilization across multiple facilities.
- Recruited top talent from various sources in order to meet staffing requirements.
- Cultivated relationships with external partners, vendors, and customers to enhance collaborative opportunities and drive project outcomes.
Partner, Real Estate & Employment Practice Groups
MESSNER REEVES, LLP
Denver, CO
06.2006 - 11.2015
- Negotiate, draft and review commercial and residential real estate agreements, including, retail leases, ground leases, warehouse leases, office leases, property operation documents, access and license agreements, purchase and sale agreements, construction contracts, architectural agreements, broker agreements, amendments, renewals, letters of intent, estoppels, and SNDAs.
- Performed all aspects of due diligence on various real estate transactions, including reviewing surveys, title, and environmental inspection reports.
- Resolved landlord-tenant disputes by counseling clients and enforcing lease provisions, fostering mutually beneficial resolutions and maintaining positive relationships.
- Supervised and trained associates in preparing leases, estoppels, SNDAs, amendments, and other real estate-related documents, while resolving disputes.
- Assisted diverse clients, including restaurants and retailers, with real estate and employment law needs to ensure compliance and protect interests.
- Advised employers on HR issues, including new hire processes, immigration law compliance, and personnel policies to support effective workforce management.
- Organized, supervised and managed a large-scale nationwide Form I-9 self-audit project.
Associate Real Estate Attorney
NOODLES & COMPANY
Boulder, CO
12.2003 - 04.2006
- In-house counsel for multi-unit fast-casual restaurant chain.
- Reviewed, negotiated, and drafted commercial real estate agreements, including leases, property operation documents, license agreements, collateral lien waiver agreements, amendments, renewals, letters of intent, work letters, estoppels, SNDAs, and other real estate-related documents.
- Renegotiated lease terms, achieving rent reductions for underperforming restaurants to improve financial performance.
- Negotiated renewal terms for existing locations, securing additional extension provisions to enhance operational stability.
- Reviewed franchisee lease agreements to confirm compliance with company requirements.
- Advised and assisted field and central support personnel on various landlord-tenant issues and other legal matters.
- Advised Development, Design and Construction departments on legal matters to support project objectives.
- Monitored work performed by outside counsel for overflow tasks.
Associate
BENITEZ PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION-ATTORNEYS
Denver, CO
09.1998 - 12.2003
- Practiced transactional and litigation law in employment, corporate real estate, and civil litigation.
- Drafted and negotiated diverse contracts, including employment agreements, commercial leases, and licensing agreements.
- Developed corporate formation instruments, including bylaws, operating agreements, and shareholder agreements.
- Oversaw trial preparation and discovery, resulting in effective representation in mediation and arbitration cases.
- Managed junior associates and support staff while preparing reports to guide strategic decisions.
Contract Attorney/Litigation Support
YU STROMBERG CLEVELAND
Denver, CO
03.1998 - 05.1998
- Served as contract attorney for mid-sized firm specializing in health care and employment law.
- Researched healthcare, employment, and corporate law issues to support case strategies.
- Drafted demand letters, motions, briefs, and pleadings, including complaints, answers, motions to compel, and motions in limine, to advance client positions.
Associate
JACKSON, LEWIS, SCHNITZLER & KRUPMAN
Washington, DC
06.1997 - 01.1998
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation and strategy development.
- Drafted legal documents and correspondence for multiple cases.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation and case management processes.
- Managed client communications to ensure clarity and prompt responses.
Education
Juris Doctor -
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY
Columbus, Ohio05-1997
Bachelor of Arts -
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Morgantown, West Virginia05-1993
Skills
- Contract negotiation skills
- Expertise in real estate
- Relationship management and conflict resolution
- Financial oversight capabilities
- Mentoring and leadership skills
- Strategic decision-making abilities
Certification
- State Bar of Colorado (1998)
- State Bar of Maryland (1997 – Inactive)
Accomplishments
- DaVita Core Value Award: Accountability (2025)
DaVita Core Value Award: Service Excellence (2023)
DaVita Core Value Award: Team (2021)
DaVita Core Value Award: GSD (2018)
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (2013-present)
BNA Award for Excellence in Labor and Employment Law
Featured in 9News interview on “use-it-or-lose-it” vacation policies
Completed Colorado Bar Association’s ten-week Colorado Real Estate Practice Course (2006)
Contributor to the Restaurant Law Blog, Academic & Leadership Experience
Legal Research and Writing Teaching Assistant
First-Year Moot Court Competition participant
Member: Labor & Employment Law Association; Environmental Law Association
Capital Law Ambassadors — Elected Officer
Chi Omega Fraternity — Elected Officer
Timeline
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel
DAVITA INC.
11.2015 - Current
Partner, Real Estate & Employment Practice Groups
MESSNER REEVES, LLP
06.2006 - 11.2015
Associate Real Estate Attorney
NOODLES & COMPANY
12.2003 - 04.2006
Associate
BENITEZ PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION-ATTORNEYS
09.1998 - 12.2003
Contract Attorney/Litigation Support
YU STROMBERG CLEVELAND
03.1998 - 05.1998
Associate
JACKSON, LEWIS, SCHNITZLER & KRUPMAN
06.1997 - 01.1998
Juris Doctor -
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts -
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY