OUR TEAM
Dustin R. Sparks, Esq.
MANAGING MEMBER
Dustin R. Sparks has been instrumental in assisting schools with obtaining new charter contracts, financing facilities, purchasing properties, negotiating construction contracts, drafting policies, advising boards and administrators, assisting with employee and student challenges, advising schools on special education matters, addressing various tax issues, and helping his clients with the many new and unique challenges charter schools face.
Dustin has also helped charter schools obtain more than $150,000,000 in financing, represented schools in acquiring both land and existing school facilities, successfully defended schools in claims from both students and employees.
Dustin finds working with charter schools to be very intellectually stimulating and finds joy in knowing his work helps students attend the school of their choice.
Dustin is licensed in Colorado and New Mexico.
PH: 303.209.7813 Ext. 1
Amber DeCarli, Esq.
MEMBER
Amber DeCarli started her passion for the law as a paralegal. She graduated with a BS in Paralegal Studies from Stevenson University then attended the University of Baltimore Law School where she graduated Cum Laude in 2011. Amber has been representing clients in a range of fields and issues ever since.
Amber joined the firm in 2018 and brought with her a diverse legal background from her experience drafting legislation, to arguing in front of the state intermediate court of appeals, to prosecuting upwards of 30 cases a day in the courtroom. Amber continues to successfully represent clients outside the courtroom in all phases of nonprofit and charter school management. She excels in representing her clients vivaciously through complex contract matters with multiple parties. She enjoys drafting policies to protect clients from litigation and reaching solutions that best fit the client’s needs. Amber is invested in her client's desired growth and assisting each client to reach their goals.
Amber has been a spouse of an active duty Marine since 2011, and together they have five beautiful children. Amber is very involved and invested within her community and volunteers with several advisory committees aimed at training, mentoring, and supporting the military community and the unique challenges they face.
Amber is licensed in Maryland and advise the firm on federal matters.
PH: 303.209.7813 Ext. 3
Kristen Maurer McCarthy, Esq. is a Member at the Law Office of Dustin R. Sparks, LLC d/b/a Charter School Law Group, representing the interests of charter schools throughout the State of Colorado. Her work assists clients in navigating the complex field of student and employee issues, special education concerns, and authorizer relations. Kristen is passionate about helping clients thrive and innovate through their policies and practices, and working with regulating agencies, authorizers, and opposing counsel to achieve maximum results for her clients.
Before joining the firm, Kristen practiced corporate litigation extensively on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill case, developing her keen ability to focus on important details amidst vast amounts of data. During a brief hiatus from the law, Kristen designed, coordinated, and facilitated professional training and community leadership programs for a domestic violence nonprofit. Kristen also practiced criminal law in the defense and prosecutorial fields, conducting investigations, preparing witnesses for depositions and trials, and engaging in trials and motions practice.
Kristen graduated in the top 10% of her class from Michigan State University College of Law. During law school, Kristen studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand gaining global legal experience. In addition to Kristen’s legal experience and education, she is a military spouse who brings adaptability, creativity, and tenacity to get the job done for her clients.
Kristen and her husband, a Colonel in the United States Army, enjoy traveling and are committed to raising their daughters to be confident young women.
Kristen is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and Colorado.
PH: 303.209.7813 Ext. 2
This website is intended to supply general information to the public about the charter school law group, part of the law office of Dustin R. Sparks, LLC. (the “firm”). We try to ensure the accuracy of this information, but cannot guarantee that this information is accurate. Laws change quickly, and the reader should always ensure that legal information of any sort is up-to-date and accurate before relying on it. The legal information provided at this site is general, and not specific. The reader should never assume that this information applies to their specific situation without consulting competent counsel in his or her state. This website is not intended to be advertising, solicitation, or legal advice. Thus, the reader should not consider this information to be an invitation for an attorney-client relationship, should not rely on information provided herein, and should always seek the advice of competent counsel in the reader's state. We do not intend links on our website to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities. We do not wish to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this website in a state where this website fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that state. The use of electronic communication for confidential or sensitive information is discouraged. The act of sending electronic communications or calling the firm or a specific attorney does not alone create an attorney-client relationship, is not protected by attorney-client privilege, and the firm and its attorneys, reserve the right not to respond.
Theresa Damon
PARALEGAL
Theresa is an integral member of the team. She initially became familiar with Colorado law while working for the Colorado Legislative Council, where she supported the legislative research staff for the General Assembly for six years. Her most recent experience includes three and a half years working in the State Services Section of the Colorado Attorney General's Office, supporting the Labor, Higher Education, and K-12 Education Units.
Theresa earned her paralegal certificate from the Denver Paralegal Institute. She has held positions in private law firms specializing in real estate, corporate, tax, insurance defense, and probate law. In her downtime, Theresa enjoys traveling and unwinding in the mountains.
PH: 303.209.7813 Ext. 4
Kelly Turk
PARALEGAL
Kelly is our newest team member, and she brings over 25 years of extensive experience as a corporate paralegal and legal secretary, working in both corporate environments and law firm settings. Her expertise spans multiple practice areas, including business organization and maintenance, commercial and residential real estate, civil litigation, and corporate and business transactions. She has comprehensively supported attorneys and business owners in handling formation, reporting, reinstatement, and exemption matters for corporations, LLCs, and nonprofits across five states.
Kelly and her husband, a US Air Force veteran, are dedicated to raising their two teenagers, both highly committed student-athletes. She is actively involved in her community as a frequent volunteer with her children’s school athletics program and her church and enjoys spending her downtime enthusiastically spectating sporting events.
PH: 303.209.7813 Ext. 5
