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COLORADO
Leading litigation firms
Highly recommended
Colorado
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Faegre & Benson Natural resource and environmental matters, in addition to products liability
work, are staple litigation issues in this Rocky Mountain state. Firms in Denver
Hogan & Hartson lead the way, not only in the state, but in the region as well.
Holland & Hart Highly recommended firms in the mining, oil and gas, manufacturing,
Holme Roberts & Owen
The Denver office of litigation boutique Bartlit utility, insurance, sports and
Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott works as both telecommunications arenas. McCarthy is
Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley a local and national presence. One insider says currently involved in ongoing representation of
the “firm is known for work outside of the a natural gas processing and transmission
Reilly Pozner & Connelly region.” According to another insider, Bartlit company in a matter involving an
Beck is a national firm with a small Denver administrative agency air quality enforcement
component. Firmwide, the number of attorneys proceeding. He is also lead counsel for State
reaches about 60, with 21 located in the Farm Insurance.
Recommended Denver office, From that 21, only 12 are trial For more than a century, Hogan & Hartson
lawyers. Working on the plaintiffs’ and has provided the state, country and world with
Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
defendants’ sides, the firm sees a rise in patent top-notch legal advice and professionalism. In
Davis Graham & Stubbs infringement work, pharmaceutical defense addition to the three state offices in Denver,
antitrust and financial fraud matters. Fred Boulder and Colorado Springs, the firm has 22
Hill & Robbins Bartlit and Glen Summers were part of a team others, including locations in New York, Los
that won a complete defense verdict for the US Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Beijing, Paris
Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons surgical division of Covidien in a patent and the District of Columbia. The litigation
infringement case. In another high-stakes practice boasts more than 350 attorneys
Sherman & Howard matter, the firm represented Static Control in a worldwide, with the Denver office noted for its
successful defense fight against Lexmark in a white-collar crime and environmental
Wheeler Trigg Kennedy
patent infringement case in the US District practices. The office developed a niche in
Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky. environmental-related white-collar criminal
Besides the representation of hedge funds, litigation.
other firm clients include DuPont and Pioneer The firm also handles a full-range of
Hi-Bred International, Bayer, Hewlett-Packard, litigation matters, including antitrust, class
Johnson & Johnson, Mayo Clinic, actions, securities, labor and employment,
RealNetworks, Samsung Electronics, Tyco intellectual property and both products and
International and 3M. professional liabilities. Representative clients
With an international feel, the Colorado- include Amgen, ChevronTexaco, Janus Capital
based Faegre & Benson grasps complex Group, Metropolitan Football Stadium District
litigation, including antitrust, consumer fraud and Wolf Creek Ski Area.
and medical defense work. The firm acts as A recent merger with Nevada-based firm
part of DuPont’s legal service network, Hale Lane Peek Dennison & Howard only
providing the company with litigation support adds to the bench strength of Holland & Hart,
and acts as national coordinating counsel for which already boasts five offices in the state,
chemical crop protection litigation. The Faegre including Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs
team also served as the lead plaintiff’s counsel and Aspen locations. The firm, founded in
at trial during the Exxon Valdez matters, 1947, now includes more than 400 attorneys
resulting in the largest punitive damage award throughout seven states and the District of
in US history. Columbia. Already the largest Colorado-based
The firm counsels various insurance carriers law firm, Holland & Hart’s team of litigators
in Employment Retirement Income Security has extensive experience in plaintiffs’ and
Act matters and employment liability litigation. defense-side cases, in regards to products
Beyond Denver and Boulder offices, the firm liability, white-collar crime and environmental
has locations in Minnesota and Iowa, as well as litigation. Recently, the firm successfully
overseas shops in London, Frankfort and represented Costa Rican farmers in a $26
Shanghai. Partner Michael McCarthy is million trial matter concerning a defective
recognized for his work in the complex pesticide. Class action work includes recent
commercial and environmental litigation representation of Brown-Forman in an
arena. Practicing for more than 30 years, he allegation of marketing to underage drinkers.
developed a client base to include natural gas Generalist litigator Scott Barker is recognized
pipeline and processing businesses, companies for his work in complex litigation matters.
“One-stop-shop Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley is a
‘real trial group that really ‘gets it,’’ boasting 36 total
attorneys in its Denver office.”
102 Litigation
COLORADO
With more than 70 trials in seven states to his expertise in consumer class actions and Local litigation stars
name, Barker has experience in a vast array of intellectual property work. Sports litigation is
litigation matters, including oil and gas, another budding practice, as seen through Scott Barker
environmental, toxic tort, products liability, partner Larry Pozner’s representation of the Holland & Hart
antitrust, commercial, construction, banking Denver Broncos in a matter seeking rescission
and real estate. The firm defended Kerr-McGee of the contract upon purchasing by the present Jeffrey Chase
Oil and Gas Company in a qui tam action, owner. He successfully represented the Broncos Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley
which was dismissed post-trial. Football Club when it was a sued in a multi-
Covering a wide variety of litigation claim civil action, with damages totaling $150 Ann Frick
specialties, including employment, bankruptcy million. Partner Daniel Reilly is recognized as Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley
and securities work, international presence an “excellent lawyer” as well.
Holme Roberts Owen has more than 250 Dale Harris
attorneys in nine offices throughout the Recommended firms Davis Graham & Stubbs
western US, as well as locations in London and Products liability, construction and white-
Robert Hill
Munich. Almost one-third of the firm’s collar work are the three staple specialties at Hill & Robbins
attorneys are devoted to litigation, with national firm Ballard Spahr Andrews &
popular subgroups now including intellectual Ingersoll, whose foundation in the Rocky James Lyons
property, antitrust, employment and sports Mountain region can be traced to the firm’s Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons
litigation. The firm was heavily involved in Denver office. The group also has considerable
representing the United States’ Anti-Doping presence on the west coast, with Los Angeles, Michael McCarthy
Agency, with a majority of manpower coming Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Phoenix offices, Faegre & Benson
from the Colorado Springs office. Partner as well as the east, with shops in Atlanta,
Richard Young led a group, which aimed to Baltimore, Philadelphia, the District of Larry Pozner
prove that 2006 Tour de France Champion Columbia and Bethesda, Md. The Denver Reilly Pozner & Connelly
Floyd Landis’ positive drug test results were office maintains a strong litigation presence,
Roger Thomasch
credible and, therefore, enforceable. The firm which is the firm’s largest group. In its products
Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
also works for the recording industry against group, attorneys represent clients in matters
illegal down loaders. In a recent case for client stemming from alleged injuries due to Lawrence Treece
Coors Brewing, the firm won summary pharmaceuticals, medical device, asbestos, Sherman & Howard
judgment when a plaintiff claimed he owned construction equipment and aircrafts. Recent
trademark rights to the “Beer Man” character. matters handled in the construction group Malcolm Wheeler
The court concluded that the name was a include defending a large power technology Wheeler Trigg & Kennedy
general term and ruled in favor of Coors. company in litigation brought by 18 dairy
One-stop-shop Jacobs Chase Frick farms after the company designed and
Kleinkopf & Kelley is a “real trial group that constructed high voltage direct current
really ‘gets it’,” boasting 36 total attorneys in converter stations in Utah. Another
its Denver office. The firm formed more than representative matter includes a resort client
12 years ago, when attorneys split from suing a general contractor on lien claims as well
powerhouse Holme Roberts Owen. Now, “the as the issuer of payment and performance
firm has been growing strong ever since,” surety bonds. Other firm clients include
insiders say. The litigation team of more than a DuPont and the US Women’s National Soccer
dozen attorneys handle matters mostly in Team, which the firm began representing in
complex commercial arenas, with antitrust, 1999. Litigation department chairman Roger
securities and patent work. The firm recently Thomasch has more than 35 years litigation
settled large consumer class actions on both the experience, trying to verdict a variety of
plaintiff and defense sides. The “very talented” business and commercial issues. A generalist,
Jeffrey Chase recently achieved the largest Thomasch takes on cases involving securities
verdict in state history at $125.5 million total fraud, product liability, trade secrets and
for client United International Holdings. “He is intellectual property, oil and gas and
renowned for being able to tell a great story to shareholder litigation. He is known for his
the jury,” says one peer. “You are not going to longtime representation of client Goodyear in
score a goal if you don’t take shots.” Peers go products liability disputes.
on to say he is “one of the great trial lawyers in With one office located in Denver, Davis
Colorado.” Chase works primarily in the areas Graham & Stubbs establishes itself as a leader
of securities, telecommunications, legal in the regional marketplace. A full-service
malpractice, corporate governance and litigation shop, the firm has particular expertise
banking. in natural resources matters, as well as antitrust
Fellow partner Ann Frick is one of the “top and class action work. Recently, attorneys
10 female lawyers in the country,” according to represented clients HCA and HealthONE in a
sources. Frick, with a “tremendous federal antitrust matter brought against the
reputation,” is noted for her mediation and companies by United Healthcare. Although
arbitration practice. recently named of-counsel, longtime litigator
With a small pool of attorneys, Denver Dale Harris is repeatedly recognized for his
boutique Reilly Pozner & Connelly handles litigation expertise, as well as more recent
civil and commercial litigation matters mediation and arbitration practice. His broad
nationally, for both plaintiffs and defendants. commercial litigation practice includes
“The firm takes it to the hoop,” says one complex business work and matters relating to
competitor. The litigation group deals antitrust, securities, business torts and fraud.
primarily with oil and gas matters, but also has Denver’s Hill & Robbins was founded by
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 103
COLORADO
Future stars two professionals: David Robbins, who presence in Colorado, Arizona and Nevada
served as deputy attorney general and head of Sherman & Howard becomes a leader in the
Mark Bailey the Natural Resources Division of the region for class action defense work. The firm
Reilly Pozner & Connelly Colorado Attorney General’s office, and represented various insurance, oil and other
Robert Hill, founder and director of the companies in national class actions. The firm’s
Michael Berger Antitrust Division of the Colorado Attorney construction and telecommunications practices
Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley General’s office. More than 30 years passed also come highly acclaimed. Noted for a bench
since the firm’s establishment and the of lawyers young and old, the firm’s
Robert Blume boutique-feel has not changed since that time. construction team is called one of “the best in
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher The firm of 10 attorneys handles matters the region.” The recent addition of Colin Reid,
mostly related to complex litigation in federal the former vice president and general counsel
Kenzo Kawanabe court, but plaintiff’s class action work and of TIC Holdings, added to a group currently
Davis Graham & Stubbs antitrust matters frequently get thrown into handling a matter for client Vail Associates in a
the mix as well. In antitrust matters, the firm dispute over a ski area in Utah. Representing a
Timothy McDonald
Arnold & Porter
represents healthcare-related outlets, number of wireless, landline and cable
hospitals and physician organizations. providers, the firm’s telecommunications group
Kyle Velte Recently, Hill & Robbins handled cases for boasts a client base including Liberty Media,
Reilly Pozner & Connelly client Starz Encore Group in commercial Qwest and Echostar. The firm usually
disputes with AT&T Broadband, Comcast represents insurance policy holders, a rare
and the Walt Disney Company. Several class occurrence in the Denver legal marketplace.
actions were recently completed or are The firm recently represented a local bank in a
pending for the firm, including Hill’s Ponzi Scheme matter, in which the case settled
representation of a class of 270,000 plan favorably. Partner Lawrence Treece is noted for
participants against IBM in a pension-related his extensive work in complex corporate and
matter. The judge ruled IBM’s amendment of commercial matters, including securities,
its traditionally defined benefit plan to a cash antitrust, corporate governance, breach of
balance plan was age discriminatory, contract claims and business tort litigation. He
resulting in a more than $300 million recently recieved a defense verdict for a client
settlement. Other pending class actions accused of fraud, breach of fiduciary duties and
include classes against State Farm Mutual breach of contract arising out of a failed effort
Automobile Insurance, Gannett Retirement to acquire six cable regions in Germany. He is
Plan, American Mutual Insurance Company involved in efforts to recover losses suffered in
and EchoStar Satellite Corporation. The firm a securities lending program maintained by a
represents the Rio Grande Water major bank and he also act as lead trial counsel
Conservation District, Banner Health, in the Utah ski resort matter.
Liberty Media, the State of Colorado and the Focusing on complex litigation, Denver-
City of Colorado Springs, which the firm based Wheeler Trigg Kennedy is best known
currently represents in a matter concerning for its successful products liability practice.
the city’s alleged inadequate wastewater Defending the first defective airbag case to
system. verdict, the firm counts Ford as one of its
For more than 100 years, Rothgerber major clients in the automotive arena. In a
Johnson & Lyons has provided the region with recent class action, Wheeler Trigg obtained
its legal services, growing into a group of 75 dismissal of an action against a national
attorneys in three locations. The firm operates financial institution accused of discriminating
primarily out of its Denver office, with an in its lending practices. In a recent ERISA
additional spot in Colorado Springs. The group class action, the firm won summary judgment
began as a bankruptcy and collections practice in the US District Court of the Southern
in the early 1900s, but grew into a more diverse District of Indiana representing a major
commercial practice, with an emphasis on manufacturing firm. The firm’s long list of
antitrust, white-collar and general commercial Fortune 500 representative clients includes
matters. Partner James Lyons has more than 35 AT&T, Honda, DuPont, BMW, Mazda,
years of trial experience, with particular Procter & Gamble and Wyeth.
attention paid to the area of complex business Partner Malcolm Wheeler is recognized not
litigation in corporate, securities and insurance only for his complex business litigation
disputes. He recently represented a plaintiff in expertise and products work, but also as a
a breach of contract claim against the owner of “tremendous lawyer and a nice guy.” The
Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for failure to “very talented trial lawyer” recently
close on an $87.5 million contract of sale. He represented Pfizer in a products claim
also led trial defense counsel in one of the regarding antidepressants. The plaintiff’s
largest Superfund cases in the country, which claims were found to be preempted. Wheeler
settled favorably. Lyons is “a very talented also acts as lead counsel for an automobile
federal trial litigator,” says one competitor. manufacturer in a consumer-fraud class action
Other representative clients include the City with claims exceeding $2 billion. The suit
and County of Denver and Qwest claims the company’s false advertising misled
Communications. more than 400,000 people in California to pay
With more than 160 attorneys and a more that they should have for their cars.
104 Litigation
