Hayden DePorter

Hayden DePorter is an employment law attorney at HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Denver, Colorado. They represent employees in disputes involving workplace discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and whistleblower protections. Their practice focuses on alleged violations of state and federal employment laws and helping workers understand available legal remedies. Hayden also addresses issues relating to fair treatment, workplace rights, and the legal consequences of employer conduct.

Hayden earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2018 and a Doctor of Law from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2021, along with a Certificate in Workplace Law. Their law school honors included a Public Good Distinction and an Inclusive Excellence Award. This training supports their practice in employment statutes, appellate argument, and disputes involving the rights of individual employees.

Before joining HKM, Hayden spent three years as a law clerk at the Colorado Court of Appeals and drafted more than fifty judicial opinions. In 2026, Hayden briefed and argued Verheggen v. Adams County Department of Human Services, 2026 COA 62, before the Colorado Court of Appeals. In that published decision, the court ruled that an employee may state a wage-discussion retaliation claim under the relevant Colorado laws without alleging underlying gender-based pay discrimination. The appeal led to a partial reversal and remand for further proceedings.

Hayden DePorter was selected for the Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training Program in 2023. They also speak on employment law, civil rights, and inclusive workplace practices. Their professional participation includes the Colorado Bar Association and Colorado LGBTQ+ Bar Association. Hayden combines appellate experience with employee advocacy to analyze workplace conflicts, develop arguments grounded in statutory protections, and pursue legal accountability when workers believe their rights have been violated.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, HKM Employment Attorneys LLP
• Member, Colorado Bar Association
• Board Member, Colorado LGBTQ+ Bar Association
• Member, Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association
• Member, Professionalism Coordinating Council

Licensed State

• Colorado

Education

• University of Denver Sturm College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin–Madison
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges