Significant Client Results
- Lead trial counsel for plaintiffs in both the preliminary and final injunction hearings of Evans v. Romer, a successful suit challenging the constitutionality of a widely-publicized amendment to Colorado’s constitution that would have prohibited any legislation protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation; case received nationwide press coverage in broadcast and print media, including live coverage on Court TV, and was ultimately decided in plaintiffs’ favor in the U. S. Supreme Court. Justice Kennedy’s 6-3 Opinion became the doctrinal foundation for gay marriage in the United States.
- Successfully tried a 12-plaintiff age discrimination case to a complete jury defense verdict on behalf of a Western Slope REA before Judge Richard P. Matsch
- Successfully obtained summary judgment on 6 of 8 plaintiffs in an age discrimination claim against an international manufacturing and auto parts distribution company and tried the remaining two plaintiff’s claims to a jury defense verdict before Judge Richard P. Matsch
- Tried an 8-plaintiff sex discrimination claim against a national grocery chain to a defense verdict, after appeal, before Judge Jim R. Carrigan
- Obtained a settlement of a race discrimination claim on behalf of a black female applicant to the Denver Police Academy which, for the first time in Denver history, included her admission to the Police Academy.
- Tried a sexual harassment case on behalf of three female employees of a prominent Denver attorney to a plaintiff’s jury verdict before Judge Zita Weinshienk that resulted in damages, including attorneys’ fees, that exceeded $1M
- Successfully appealed a $15.8M judgment to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on an age discrimination claim against a prominent national retail chain
- Obtained dismissal of a Colorado state-wide wage and hour case on behalf of a national fast food restaurant chain in Denver District Court before Judge John Madden III.
- Successfully negotiated a Consent Decree with the EEOC on a wall-to-wall Section 706 discrimination case against a national grocery chain that included a Master procedure to try all pending EEOC claims against the client, ultimately prevailing on 13 of 14 pending charges.
Recognition
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment, Top Tier each year of publication, 2003-2017
- The Best Lawyers in America© Employment Law – Management, each year of publication, 1983-2019
- The Best Lawyers in America© Lawyer of the Year, Labor and Employment Law – Denver, 2011
- Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers since 2004, served on the 10th Circuit Credentials Committee from 2007-2015, Chair of the 10th Circuit Credentials Committee from 2010-2015
- Colorado Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor, 2006-2019, included in Top 50 Colorado Super Lawyers
- ADL Annual Civil Rights Award, 1994
Professional And Civic Affiliations
- Member, Colorado Supreme Court Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions (1995-2006)
- Co-Chair, Colorado Pledge to Diversity Law Firm Group
Practices
Education
- University of Michigan, B.A., 1970
cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa - University of Michigan, J.D., 1973
magna cum laude
Order of the Coif
Bar Admissions
- Colorado
