Your needs drive our services. Our expertise produces unmatched results.
Erin L. Connor
Attorney – Managing Partner
- Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Will Contests and Fiduciary Liability
- Dispute Resolution
- High Net Worth Planning and Estate Taxes
- Business and Real Estate
Three words that describe me: genuine, pragmatic, and hard working
I was born and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1993, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Management, magna cum laude, from Colorado State University. In 2000, I earned my Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I am a member of the Larimer County Bar Association and the Colorado Bar Association, Trust, and Estate Section. Now, I am very proud to be the managing partner of this firm. I can’t wait to meet you and introduce you to my great team.
My clients include single adults, business owners, families with young children, retirees, elders, disabled dependents, blended families, and LGBTQ+. My clients may want to preserve a small nest egg for their children or may have substantial wealth that needs to be insulated from taxation and reserved for future generations. Regardless of net worth, or your family situation, I develop straightforward, robust estate plans that are driven by your goals, and are provided for a reasonable fee.
Under my guidance, my staff efficiently and cost effectively help fiduciaries, such as personal representatives, executors, and trustees, carry out their loved ones’ wishes as expressed in their will or by other means. This is known as estate administration or probate. I will help you determine if probate is necessary and, if so, I will provide legal counsel for only those parts that require legal counsel (unbundled services) or throughout the entire process. This can include winding up family businesses, the sale of real estate and transfer of brokerage and other retirement assets.
Sometimes an estate plan is subject to scrutiny – children are disinherited, untrustworthy people take advantage of the elderly, executors become greedy. Regrettably, family feuds are unavoidable at times. I have successfully settled several will contest cases, and protected millions of dollars for the intended beneficiaries. I will help you analyze your issue and whenever possible, strive for speedy and practical resolution.
Before developing my estate planning and probate practice, I practiced law as business lawyer at Holland & Hart LLP; working on complex matters for both public and privately held businesses. I bring that “big firm” experience with me to help you with business formation, contracts, succession planning and complex business matters as they relate to your estate planning and administration.
I am married, and my husband graduated with a degree from CSU in physics, and worked as an engineer. He has developed extensive curriculum to engage children in the fun and fascination of mechanics and physics. He has now turned his attention to sailing. We have two sons who are graduates of FCHS. You may meet my family helping me at the firm or you may see us cruising town in a vintage VW or convertible beetle. We have a thing for cool VWs.
Sherry Vanatta
Office Manager
- Client Communications
- Probate Administration
- Billing
- Scheduling
- Paralegal
Three words that describe me: dependable, responsive, and helpful
I relocated to this beautiful state twenty-eight years ago from my hometown, Lee’s Summit, MO. Prior to that I attended the University of Missouri, Columbia. After living in Denver for a few years, I met and married my husband and moved to Fort Collins. I try to get back to Missouri to visit my parents as often as possible.
I began my career with Sutherland & Connor in 2016. I enjoy working with our diverse group of clients and helping them to untangle the sometimes-complicated web of estate planning and probate. I have learned so much since beginning here and continue to learn something new every day. I help our team stay on top of tasks and am always striving to make our clients’ experience a positive one.
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, traveling, shopping and a long line of various household projects. My son attends Colorado University – Boulder. He’s a third generation Buff, following in the footsteps of his grandparents and father. My daughter is a student at Fort Collins High School and very active in theatre. My husband is a criminal defense attorney who has been with the public defender’s office for almost thirty years. He enjoys his time teaching and mentoring the new generation of attorneys that join the system each year.
