Kara L. Ellsbury

Partner

(T) 307.632.0541
(F) 307.632.4999
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PROFILE

Kara L. Ellsbury’s love of the law began early, when she was nine years old and began “practicing” as an attorney by trying and convicting her sister for minor crimes.   Ms. Ellsbury’s practice focuses on employment law and litigation, commercial and contract litigation, professional licensing, administrative law, public utilities law, and real property law.  Kara is an enthusiastic learner and talented researcher and writer.  Combined with her strong analytical capabilities, these skills enable her to identify issues and problems and resolve them for her clients.  Kara builds strong relationships with her clients by listening to and getting to know them and their businesses.  She assists them in not only resolving problems, but also by providing them with advice to avoid future issues.  As a litigator, Ms. Ellsbury is confident and persuasive.  She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America , Chambers and Partners, and Super Lawyers.

EMPLOYMENT

2018 to present – Partner, Hirst Applegate, LLP

  • Practice areas include:  Employment Law and Litigation, Civil Litigation,  Commercial and Contract Litigation, Professional Licensing, Administrative Law,  Public Utilities Law and Real Property Law, including easements, private roads, and related matters.
  • Also provides Employment Law counselling and training.

2015 to  2017 – Associate, Hirst Applegate, LLP

2013 to May 2015 – Associate, Hughes Law Office

2010 to June 2013 – Associate, Hirst Applegate, LLP

Spring  2010 – Student Intern, UW Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project

Summer  2009 – Law Clerk, Hirst Applegate, LLP

Summer  2008 – Law Clerk, Hirst Applegate, LLP

Summer  2006 – Legislative Intern for United States Senator Michael B. Enzi

EDUCATION

  • University of Wyoming, J.D., (Order of the Coif, with honors), 2010
  • University of Wyoming, B.S. Accounting, (cum laude), 2007

REPORTED CASES

  • Davis v. Harmony Development, LLC, 2020 WY 39, 460 P.3d 230 (Wyo. 2020)
  • In re Application of Powder River Energy Corp., Docket No. 10014-202-CR-19, Record No. 15372, Memo. Opinion, Findings & Order (Wyo. Pub. Serv. Comm’n Aug. 13 2020) 
  • Williams v. State of Wyoming ex.rel., University of Wyoming Board of Trustees, 2019 WY 90, 448 P.3d 222 (Wyo. 2019)
  • In re Application of Powder River Energy Corp, Docket No. 10014-175-CT-16, Record No. 14561, Memo Opinion, Finding & Order (Wyo. Pub. Serv. Comm’n July 23, 2017)
  • In re Application of Powder River Energy Corp., Docket No. 10014-172-CP-16, Record No. 14441, Memo. Opinion, Findings & Order (Wyo. Pub, Serv. Comm’n Feb. 28, 2017)
  • In re Application of Powder River Energy Corp., Docket No. 10014-168-CR-16, Record No. 14314, Memo. Opinion, Findings & Order Approving Rate Increase (Wyo. Pub, Serv. Comm’n Nov. 23, 2016)
  • Campbell County Memorial Hospital v. Pfeifle, 2014 WY 3, 317 P.3d 573 (Wyo. 2014)

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

  • You’ve Received a Notice to Creditors of Bankruptcy Filing – Now What?, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Legal Seminar 64, 2024.
  • How to Get in Trouble with Hiring, Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, July 2021.
  • Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress in an Era of Instantly Accessible Live Media, 2019 Transportation Seminar, The Harmonie Group
  • Risky Business or Business Risk?  Risk Management for the Law Office, presented with Mark Gifford, Wyoming State Bar Counsel, September 19, 2018 at the 2018 Wyoming State Bar Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference
  • Workplace Investigations: Lessons Learned from Litigation,  August, 2018
  • “Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress in an Era of Inescapable, Instantly Accessible, Live Media”,   co-author, published in the Wyoming Lawyer
  • Re-writing Wyoming’s Co-employee Liability Statute, 9 Wyo. L. Rev. 645 (2009)

ACTIVITIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2022-2025, 28th – 31st Editions)
  • Recognized by Chambers and Partners in 2024 for Litigation: General Commercial
  • 2023 – 2024: Selected to Mountain States Super Lawyers
  • 2020  Rising Star, Mountain States Super Lawyers
  • 2019 to 2024:  Chairperson, Wyoming Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee
  • 2022 to 2023:  VP of Programs, Defense Lawyers Association
  • 2021 to 2022: President, DLAW
  • 2019 to 2021: President-Elect, DLAW
  • 2017 to 2019: Secretary, DLAW
  • 2015 to August 2017: Vice President of Programs, DLAW
  • 2014 to 2018: Vice President of Kid Prints, Inc.
  • 2010: Excellence in Advocacy Award, University of Wyoming College of Law
  • 2009 to 2010: Rothgerber Mock Trial Competition Championship Team
  • 2009 to 2010: Wyoming Law Review, Comment Editor
  • 2008 to 2009: Wyoming Law Review, Staff

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Wyoming Bar Association
  • Defense Lawyers Association of Wyoming, DLAW
  • Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, WTLA
  • Electric Cooperative Bar Association, ECBA

PERSONAL

Kara Ellsbury, her husband, and their two children live near Sundance, Wyoming, where her husband grew up cattle ranching.  After practicing with the firm in Cheyenne for several years, Kara and her husband decided to move to the Sundance area.  Kara and her family enjoy the outdoors and spend their time hiking, boating, camping, and skiing.  They also enjoy travelling and new adventures.  

 

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