Michael Fairhurst
Member of the Board of Directors
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Michael Fairhurst is the founding Partner of Fairlaw Colorado. Mr. Fairhurst has devoted his entire legal career to representing people whose rights have been violated. He has only represented people – and never corporations or other large entities – who have been subjected to abuses of power. Mr. Fairhurst has extensive experience with issues ranging from police misconduct to prisoners’ rights to disability rights to employment discrimination and retaliation, and more. Mr. Fairhurst previously worked as a partner with the Denver-based civil rights firm Killmer Lane, LLP. He founded that firm’s Western Slope office in 2021. Today, Mr. Fairhurst and his family live on Colorado’s Western Slope, where they are active members of the local community.
EDUCATION
Mr. Fairhurst obtained his juris doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 2012. Mr. Fairhurst graduated magna cum laude from Williams College in 2007.
BAR ADMISSIONS
Mr. Fairhurst is admitted to practice law in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and the State of Colorado.
AWARDS
Super Lawyers Rising Star (2016-24)
Super Lawyer (2026)
ASSOCIATIONS
- Faculty of Federal Advocates, Board Member (2025 – Present)
- Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, Board Member (2020 – Present)
- Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Board Member (2017 – Present)
- Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, Treasurer (2017 – 2019)
- Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, Outreach Officer (2017)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- “A Conversation with Colorado’s Western Slope Magistrate Judges” (August 2026)
- “A Fireside Chat with U.S. District Court Judge Gordon Gallagher” (May 2025)
- “Defeating Claims of Qualified Immunity in Civil Rights Cases under Colorado and Federal Law” (February 2023)
- “Defeating Claims of Qualified Immunity in Civil Rights Cases” (October 2019)
- “Pleading and Proving Municipal Liability Claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983” (July 2017)