Ryann serves as the Director of the Colorado Office of Attorney Professional Excellence (APEX). Through our nationally recognized professional mentoring program, small business incubator, and lawyer well-being programming, Ryann provides professional development to support Colorado legal professionals in achieving professional excellence.
A seasoned attorney with a background in complex civil litigation, Ryann has represented a diverse range of clients in high-stakes domestic relations, employment, tax, and real estate matters—developing a reputation for both legal precision and deep empathy.
Ryann is also an internationally recognized speaker and advocate for identity equity. Through keynotes, trainings, and strategic advising, Ryann help leaders recognize and respond to systemic inequities, promote belonging, and challenge cultural norms that perpetuate exclusion and isolation.
Ryann’s contributions to the legal and nonprofit sectors have been recognized nationally. Ryann is a recipient of the Denver Business Journal’s 2022 40 Under 40 Award, the 2019 American Bar Association Rosner & Rosner Young Lawyer Professionalism Award, and the 2014 Colorado Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Attorney of the Year Award.
Ryann sits on the boards of several Colorado non-profit legal organizations and served as the 2022 President of the Colorado Bar Association. Ryann earned their law degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and holds an LLM and undergraduate degree from the University of Denver.
Rebecca Payo (She/Her)
Director of Mentoring & Community Engagement (303) 928-7752
Rebecca Payo serves as the Director of Mentoring and Community Engagement for APEX. Before coming to APEX, Rebecca conducted a general practice in the areas of immigration, family law, wills & trusts, criminal defense, and nonprofit law. Access to justice has been a driving factor in Rebecca’s career. She formed a pro bono legal program with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, serving the public throughout Metro Denver. In her role at APEX, Rebecca is dedicated to fostering the principles of community, professionalism, and competency. She strives to bring the legal community together in its common mission to serve the public; to engender the values of civility as attorneys; and to provide the highest standard of work for clients – all of which are vital aspects to the health and effectiveness of the profession. The creativity in her position at APEX brings all aspects of her life together, both personal and professional. Rebecca received her law degree from Washburn University as well as an LL.M from McGeorge School of Law.
Lauren A. Solomon (She/Her)
Program Manager (303) 928-7781
Lauren serves as APEX’s Program Manager. Prior to joining APEX, she worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Law Practice and Risk Management Department at the Colorado Bar Association. She spent 3 years assisting with Practice Management software, legal research, and the Solo/Small Firm section. Lauren graduated from Metropolitan State University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and went on to receive a Graduate Diploma in International Law from the University of Edinburgh in 2010.
