Jeff Dolan, the chief strategist for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, is under fire after an anonymous city employee filed an ethics complaint alleging a conflict of interest in how the city hired a private law firm. The complaint, which surfaced via a CBS Colorado report, claims Dolan helped select the very firm tasked with defending him in a personal lawsuit, effectively allowing him to influence who would represent his own legal interests on the taxpayer’s dime.
This isn’t an isolated incident of scrutiny for the Mayor’s inner circle. Dolan is the second member of Johnston’s cabinet to face an ethics complaint regarding the city’s relationship with the law firm Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO). For Denver residents, the story isn’t just about bureaucratic paperwork; it’s about whether city leadership is adhering to the same austerity measures they demand from city staff during a projected budget deficit of approximately $200 million.
The conflict over Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
The core of the complaint centers on a lawsuit brought by Everett Martinez, the former top lawyer at Denver International Airport. Because Dolan is a named defendant in that suit, the complainant argues that his participation in the selection of WTO created a substantial personal interest that should have triggered a recusal.
The anonymous employee, who cited a fear of retaliation for speaking out, described the selection process as one that “doesn’t pass the smell test.” The complaint highlights a jarring contrast: while city employees are facing layoffs and budget cuts, the administration is approving massive expenditures for outside legal counsel.
Mayor’s office spokesperson Jon Ewing has pushed back firmly, stating that the contract was “done by the book, plain and simple.” Ewing noted that the city has utilized WTO for nearly two decades and that the contract was vetted and approved by the City Council. He further emphasized that the filing of a complaint does not equate to a finding of a violation.
The selection panel that chose the firm included a mix of city leadership:
- Jeff Dolan, Chief Strategist
- Miko Brown, City Attorney
- Nicole Doheny, Chief Financial Officer
- Rob Nespor, City Attorney’s Office Administrator
- Karla Pierce, City Attorney’s Office Administrator
The staggering cost of “Johnny Cochran rates”
Beyond the ethics of who was picked, the complaint takes a hard look at how much is being spent. The complainant compared the fees to “Johnny Cochran rates,” suggesting the costs are abnormal for city business.
The numbers back up the claim of a steep price tag. Denver initially agreed to a one-year contract capped at $470,000 to defend the city in two employment lawsuits. However, in just four months, WTO billed the city more than $850,000. To cover the gap, the Denver City Council approved an additional $500,000, bringing the total contract value to $970,000.
| Role/Position | Hourly Billing Rate |
|---|---|
| Four WTO lawyers | As much as $800 |
| 2024 Law Graduate Associate | As much as $800 |
| Paralegals | $375 |
The fact that a junior associate who graduated in 2024 is billing the city at the same top-tier rate as seasoned partners adds a layer of financial friction to an already tense political climate.
A pattern of scrutiny for City Attorney Miko Brown
Jeff Dolan’s situation is linked to that of City Attorney Miko Brown. Brown, who was named to her position in 2025, is a former partner at Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell, having worked there from 2007 to 2017. She is currently the subject of two separate investigations by the Denver Board of Ethics.
The second probe is more pointed. An anonymous employee from the Denver International Airport’s legal department accused Brown of pressuring an insurance broker to hire WTO for litigation involving a fatal accident where a man was struck by a departing Frontier Airlines jet. While the City Attorney’s Office denies this, CBS Colorado obtained emails and texts suggesting Brown advocated for the firm after the insurer, AIG, initially rejected them. Shortly after Brown’s intervention, AIG reversed its decision.
“I’m also tired of the lack of truth-telling and shadiness surrounding this airport lawsuit.”
When a city faces a $200 million shortfall, the optics of paying nearly a million dollars to a firm with deep ties to the City Attorney—while the chief strategist is also a client—creates a narrative of institutional favoritism.
The Denver Board of Ethics has already voted 3-0 to investigate the complaints against Brown. The board now faces the task of determining if Dolan’s participation in the selection process constituted an official action on a matter of personal interest. Whether these investigations lead to formal sanctions or simply a public airing of “the book” remains the central question for the city’s governance.
