Colette Holt provides legal counsel and consulting services to governments and businesses on
procurement and contracting; employment discrimination; regulatory compliance; organizational
change; program development, evaluation and implementation; and issues relating to civil
rights. Ms. Holt is a nationally recognized expert in designing, implementing and defending
business opportunity programs. She has concentrated her practice in these areas for over 35
years, after serving in senior legal and management government positions. Colette Holt &
Associates was founded in 1994 and has become the nation’s premier law and consulting firm
on these issues.
In particular, she provides expert witness testimony and consultations in suits involving public
and private procurement and employment policies. Ms. Holt evaluates the effectiveness of
employment and contracting policies and processes and proposes solutions to support
leadership’s commitment to improvement and innovation. She has served as co-consultant with
and counsel to economics consulting firms in conducting numerous studies of contracting and
employment discrimination. In addition to work for public sector clients, the firm counsels
government vendors on compliance with federal employment and procurement regulations,
including serving as a court appointed compliance monitor for firms entering into consent
decrees with prosecutors.
Ms. Holt is the former General Counsel to the American Contract Compliance Association, the
national organization of officials responsible for minority, women and disadvantaged business
initiatives. Ms. Holt is a frequent author and media commentator on affirmative action, and
employment topics. She is the former Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Public
Contract Law Section.
Education
Yale University, B.A., Philosophy 1979
University of Chicago, J.D. 1985
Winner, Hinton Moot Court Competition and President, Hinton Moot Court Society
Experience
Founder and Owner, Colette Holt & Associates, 1994-present
Colette Holt & Associates was founded to focus on government contracting programs,
construction inclusion issues and strategies, research and policy development for
disadvantaged/business/women/small/veteran business programs and business initiatives to
increase opportunities and inclusion.
Board Member, The Piston Group, 2024-present
Board member of $3.5B privately held preferred manufacturer for the automotive industries.
Adjunct Professor, Loyola University School of Law, 1992-1994
Taught Appellate Advocacy to third year law students.
Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly the John Marshall
Law School), 1988-1999
Taught Alternative Dispute Resolution to second and third year law students.
Associate Superintendent, Chicago Park District, 1990-1994
Chief Operating Officer of $350 million/year independent municipal agency with 4,000
employees.
Senior Attorney, Legal Counsel Division, Dept. of Law, City of Chicago, 1988-1990
Provided advice to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments regarding legislation and
policy development, administrative and municipal law, public contracting, first amendment
issues, land use and public incentives, and zoning. Developed groundbreaking minority and
women business program for City departments.
Associate, Schiff Hardin & Waite, Chicago, Illinois, 1987-1988
Specialized in federal and state litigation, municipal bonds, administrative law, and
employment discrimination, municipal bonds, administrative law, and employment
discrimination.
Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas E. Fairchild, Former Chief Judge, United States Court of
Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1985-1987
Assisted federal appellate judge with research and drafting opinions.
Charitable and Business Activities
- General Counsel, American Contract Compliance Association
- Member, Board of Directors, The Piston Group
- Sponsor, Impact San Antonio
- Funder, David and Colette Wood Fund, Percussive Arts Society
Prior Charitable Board Service
- Executive Committee, World War II Foundation
Board of Directors, USO of Illinois
Standing Committee, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
Vestry, Church of Our Saviour
Visiting Committee, University of Chicago Law School
Vice Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Chicago Bar Association
Vice Chair, Public Contract Law Section, American Bar Association
Board of Directors, Yale Alumni Association, Chicago Chapter
Board of Directors, Boy & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Trustee, Francis W. Parker School
Trustee, Josephinum High School for Girls
Professional Honors and Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Business Development Institute
- Honoree, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, 16th Dialogue with Leaders in Design and Construction
- Lifetime Advocacy Award, Hispanic American Contracting Industry Association
- Thurgood Marshall Humanitarian Leadership Award, United States Minority Contractors Association
- Diversity Trailblazer, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
- Alumni Achievement Award, Black Students Alliance at Yale
- Civil Rights Champion, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials
- Women Business Champion of the Year, US Small Business Administration
- Advocacy Award, Women’s Business Development Center
- Advocacy Award, Federation of Women Contractors
- Founder’s Award, Black Contractors United
- President’s Award, National Black Chamber of Commerce
- Eagle Award, National Eagle Leadership Institute