Attorney Biography
Kim Perdue is an experienced counselor and litigator in a broad range of civil matters. Her skills as a trial lawyer make her a strong advocate for her clients, but also support a nuanced and holistic approach to transactional and litigation matters. With that approach, Kim seeks to understand thoroughly her clients’ legal and non-legal objectives; secure for them advantageous positions; and then provide thoughtful analysis to empower her clients to make informed, strategic decisions. Kim also is committed to serving the public through her law practice, volunteering in her community and undertaking pro bono representation of indigent individuals and nonprofit organizations.
Kim graduated in 2009 from the University of Colorado Law School, where she also obtained a Certificate in American Indian Law, with honors, earned the law school’s Public Interest Service Award, and served as an associated editor on the Law Review. Following graduation, Kim clerked for Chief Judge Janice B. Davidson of the Colorado Court of Appeals. Clerking for the chief judge gave Kim the unique opportunity to choose the appeals she worked on, so Kim focused her time at the Court of Appeals on cases pertaining to local government; public finance; election law; water law; real property; corporate governance; contracts; and professional liability.
After her clerkship, Kim joined Kennedy Childs, P.C. (which, in 2014, evolved into Childs McCune LLC), where she represented corporations and professionals concerning business formation and governance; employment and contract matters; and professional liability defense. During that time Kim also served on Colorado Legal Services’ Associates Advisory Board, and published in the areas of access to justice and legal ethics.
Kim left private practice, and the front range, in 2016 to join the La Plata County Attorney’s Office. The bulk of Kim’s three years as Assistant County Attorney were devoted to advising the Board of County Commissioners and the County Planning Department concerning land use, zoning, environmental regulation, extractive industries, water rights and infrastructure, and capital improvements to public infrastructure. Kim also collaborated extensively with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe concerning oil and gas regulation; water and air quality; law enforcement jurisdiction; and gaming regulation.
Kim returned to civil practice in 2019, associating with Crane and Tejada P.C. and representing clients in civil cases concerning probate, professional negligence, personal injury, local government action, and real property disputes. Kim joined Southwest Water and Property Law, LLC in early 2020, and is excited to refocus her private practice on real property, water, environmental, and American Indian law matters. Kim’s pro bono practice currently is focused on landlord-tenant and fair housing matters; sensitive or endangered species or lands; and she collaborates with Colorado Legal Services on its attorney advisory board.
When not practicing law, Kim spends as much time as possible with her family, and in the few minutes remaining each day enjoys running, skiing, writing, hiking, playing piano, gardening, and knitting.
Education:
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO LAW SCHOOL, Boulder, Colorado
J.D. 2009, Class Rank 13/178 Certificate in American Indian Law with Honors; Order of the Coif; Associate Editor, University of Colorado Law Review
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, Illinois
M.A., Social Sciences (concentration in Linguistic Anthropology) 2003
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Urbana, Illinois
B.A., Liberal Arts and Sciences (double degree in Comparative Literature and Rhetoric) 2001
Publications and Presentations:
10 Common Sense Ways to Avoid Getting Sued or Grieved, December 2019, Southwest Colorado Bar Association, Durango, Colorado Zoning as a Tool for Land Use and Development, November 2018, Southwest Colorado Bar Association
Medicare Set-Asides and Liens 101, November 2015, National Business Institute, Denver, Colorado
2015 Associates Campaign for Justice — Responding to Domestic Violence, THE COLORADO LAWYER, March 2015, vol. 44 no. 3.
Spying: The Ethics of Secret Recordings, Hidden Camera, and Private Investigators, LAWYERS PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY IN COLORADO, 2015
Legal Malpractice: Defending Against Intentional Torts, DRI THE WHISPER, October 7, 2014
Employer-Employee Relationships: Contracts and Handbooks, September 2014, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Loveland, CO
The Law of Opening Statements — Improper Arguments and Appeals, DRI Seminar, Manuscript, December 9, 2013 (with Daniel R. McCune)
“For This We Stand” — 1L Law Student Professionalism Orientation, September 2013, Denver, Colorado.
The Changing Scope of the United States’ Trust Duties to American Indian Tribes: Navajo Nation v. United States, University of Colorado Law Review, 80 U. COLO. LAW REV. 487 (2009).
Awards
University of Colorado Law School Public Interest Service Award
American Indian Law Clinic Award
University of Colorado Law Review Outstanding Associate Editor
University of Colorado Law Review Outstanding 2L Casenote
National Native American Law Students Association Writing Contest – Second Place
Jean S. Breitenstein Law Clerks’ Scholarship
Admissions and Memberships
Supreme Court of Colorado
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Tribal Court
Colorado Legal Services Advisory Committee
Colorado Bar Association
Southwest Colorado Bar Association
