Crist Whitney

Crist Whitney

Phone: 303-578-4400

Fax: 303-578-4401

Email: cw@rmlawyers.com

 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Crist Whitney is an Attorney at Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC. As a Civil Rights attorney, Crist is a passionate representative for those that are less affluent and underrepresented. Crist advocates for the rights of the individual against governmental abuses and to serve the overarching goal of empowering the oppressed.     

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Crist graduated and received his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2021 and earned a Certificate of Specialization in Constitutional Rights and Remedies. At the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Crist participated in the Criminal Defense Clinic where he represented two clients charged with misdemeanor offenses. On behalf of his clients, Crist drafted a motion to dismiss for failure to preserve evidence, a motion to suppress statements, and a motion to dismiss for violation of speedy trial rights. Crist interned for Federal Magistrate Judge Kato Crews on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado where he gained valuable experience in employment law, anti-discrimination law, and civil rights law. Crist has also interned for the Alternate Defense Counsel as an advocate for the rights of juveniles to receive a proper education. Prior to law school, Crist graduated from the University of Colorado Denver, summa cum laude, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science.

Before returning to college, Crist has held many jobs in a number of different fields such as sales, education, fund-raising, government, retail, tourism, and entertainment. This working-class background allows Crist to understand the struggles of those in the workforce and the inequities that workers experience day to day. Crist has worked for the Denver Public Schools as a paraprofessional assisting special education teachers in the classroom and has volunteered his time working with at-risk students to prevent them from dropping out of high school.    

Crist has written and published two novels: The Mile Highness which is a frank and entertaining study of the hip-hop culture, and Battle for Supremacy which examines politics, Black identity, the justice system, and the history and symbolism of race in America. Crist has written an opera libretto entitled Watts, about an inter-racial love affair during the Watts Rebellion in 1965. Recently, Crist has completed the screenplay of an upcoming film series entitled Mercy, about a criminal’s spiritual awakening after surviving an attempted murder. Crist has also recorded several hip-hop albums, most notably Underground Railroad, Gentleman & Scholar, and The Bailout.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Crist has obtained millions of dollars in damages for his clients, but due to confidentiality, some unrestricted settlements are listed below:

• Estate of Elijah Javon McClain et al. v. City of Aurora, Colorado et al., No. 20-cv-02389 (D. Colo. 2020) (Excessive Force) – $15,000,000 settlement.
• The Estate of John Hurley v. Officer Brownlow et al., (Colorado, 2023) (Wrongful Death) – $2,700,000 settlement.
• Keilon Hill v. City of Denver et al., (Colorado, 2022) (Excessive Force and Unlawful Seizure) – $100,000 settlement.

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• Sam Cary Bar Association (Secretary)
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association

 

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS

• Claims Against Public Entities- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention (2023)