Elan’s practice areas primarily consist of construction defect litigation, personal injury and property defense, product liability, and real estate professionals. Elan works diligently to attain the best results for his clients while also providing them with thorough and efficient strategic guidance.
Before joining White and Steele, Elan worked as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York, where he handled a substantial caseload of misdemeanor and felony cases from their inception to their resolution. Prior to that, Elan earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where Elan was a member of Law Review and was on the Moot Court Trial team. Out of the office, Elan enjoys snowboarding, traveling, yoga and trying new restaurants.
Kenneth L. Levinson entered the practice of law in January, 1979. After 45 years at his prior firm, he joined White and Steele, P.C. in August, 2024. His practice emphasizes the defense of malpractice cases involving professionals in the real estate, appraisal and insurance industries. He has been involved in more than a thousand litigated matters and has participated in numerous mediations. Mr. Levinson also has significant experience representing businesses, insurance carriers, homeowners associations, banks and credit unions, as well as many individual and corporate clients in a wide variety of matters. He has been a member of the Colorado Real Estate Commission’s Forms Committee since 2006. He has been listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in the West and holds the prestigious AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
He is also a mystery writer, creator of the Adam Larsen series, currently consisting of eight eBook novels. He is the longstanding lead guitar player for the Denver Law Club and has written more than five hundred songs.
John C. Matthews was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and has lived in Baltimore, New York City, and Miami. He and his wife, Jessica, and their son Wyatt, currently live in Lone Tree, Colorado.
John joined White and Steele as Of Counsel in 2020 and was promoted to Officer in 2022 and Shareholder in 2024. Prior to that time, John was a litigation partner in the Miami office of a national law firm. Before that, he worked in Manhattan and Miami as an associate for two national law firms. John has represented clients in high-stakes litigation across the country involving issues such as the theft of trade secrets, breaches of commercial contracts, patent infringement, and insurance-related disputes. He counsels schools, daycares, home health care providers, legal professionals, and real estate professionals on matters ranging from active litigations to risk mitigation. John also regularly handles claims brought under federal and state RICO statutes and 42 U.S.C. 1983.
John is admitted to the state courts of Colorado, New York and Florida. He is also admitted to practice in the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of Florida, the Eastern District of Florida, and the District of Colorado. In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to Baltimore for Ravens games, and working on his third legal thriller novel.
Mr. Meseck focuses on advocating for professionals facing malpractice claims and professional licensing complaints. He represents a variety of real estate professionals who have been sued by third parties or have matters before professional licensing authorities. Much of his practice focuses on defending real estate brokers, real estate brokerages, employing brokers, appraisers, mortgage loan originators, home inspectors and attorneys in civil actions as well as administrative licensing disputes. His practice also includes mediating real estate, professional liability and contract disputes. He has also represented clients in a wide variety of liability claims, including cases involving recreational activities resulting in personal injuries, trucking and motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, actions based on Section 1983, underground tank cases, wrongful death, and traumatic brain injury. Mr. Meseck is routinely retained to conduct pre-litigation investigations on recreational accidents, trucking accidents, and premises claims. Mr. Meseck has written and lectured on these topics. Throughout his career, he has always focused on finding cost-effective solutions even when there are complex legal problems.
Mr. Meseck began as a law clerk with White and Steele in 2000 and became associated with the firm in 2001 following graduation and his admission to the bars of Colorado and Wyoming. He was made a Shareholder of the firm in 2011. In his off time, he enjoys experiencing Colorado’s rich culture and history as well as enjoying all the natural resources the Colorado landscape offers.
Eli’s practice areas primarily consist of construction defect litigation, personal injury and property defense, and real estate professionals. Eli provides detail-oriented legal services, focusing on delivering the best result to his clients through careful and prompt attention to both the needs of the case and of his client.
Before joining White and Steele, Eli earned his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law, where Eli was a member of the prestigious Barristers Counsel – Moot Court Division, where he participated in nationwide Moot Court competitions. Eli began his career at a boutique civil defense firm where Eli honed his skills as a litigator. Out of the office, Eli enjoys playing tennis, reading, and enjoying all of the natural amenities that Colorado has to offer.
Rachel E. Ryckman assists companies and individuals in the defense of professional liability and personal injury cases. She has a diverse practice with considerable experience in real estate litigation, public utility regulations, and premises liability.
Rachel is a Wyoming native. Prior to entering private practice, Rachel clerked for the Honorable Marvin L. Tyler in the Ninth Judicial District Court of Wyoming and she served as a magistrate judge in the Circuit Court of Wyoming. Ms. Ryckman previously interned at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and inMotion, Inc. in the Bronx, New York, a non-profit that provides legal services to low-income women in family and immigration matters.
Cati Shadakofsky assists her clients in understanding the legal and administrative processes, evaluating risk, and preparing strong defenses to claims asserted against them. She focuses her practice in the areas of appellate advocacy, insurance coverage, insurance bad faith and breach-of-contract, and defense of professional liability and personal injury matters.
Before joining White and Steele, Cati earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Journal of International Law. She also clerked for the Honorable Matthew E. Johnson, John R. Rodenberg, Diane B. Bratvold, and Michael L. Kirk at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Cati earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature from the University of Wyoming. She studied abroad in Malaga, Spain, and she interned on Capitol Hill for the late U.S. Senator Michael B. Enzi. Outside the office, Cati enjoys hosting dinner parties, traveling to cheer on the Rockies in other ballparks across the country, and taking her husband and golden retriever on hikes in the foothills.
Attorney Jack Stokan defends clients in a wide variety of industries, providing valuable assistance through all facets of litigation and pre-suit matters. His practice primarily consists of construction defect litigation, commercial litigation, ski accident defense, personal injury, and representing real estate professionals.
Jack attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies in 2013. He remained in Colorado to attend the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and graduated in 2017. During law school, Jack participated as a Senior Staff Editor with the Denver Law Review and worked as a Student Attorney with the Denver Law Environmental Clinic.
Prior to joining White and Steele, Jack clerked for Colorado Supreme Court Justice Susan Blanco when she was a district court judge in Larimer County, and worked as an associate for a well-known Denver law firm focusing on complex commercial litigation.
Bernadette was born and raised in Colorado. She attended College at the University of Colorado at Denver, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, gradating Summa Cum Laude. She attended the University of Denver College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate.
Prior to joining White and Steele, Bernadette was a shareholder at a Denver law firm where she spent 18 years primarily defending real estate professionals in state, federal, and administrative matters.
Bernadette joined White and Steele as Of Counsel in August 2024, and continues defending real estate professionals.
She holds the prestigious AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been featured in A.M. Best’s Recommended Insurance attorneys.
