Practice Areas
CIVIL APPEALS
Civil appellate work has been a core part of Mike’s practice for nearly 30 years. Being licensed in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri, the bulk of Mike’s appellate work has been in the appellate courts of those states, and in the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal. But Mike has also handled numerous appeals in other states, on special admission, and in multiple federal judications. Mike has served as attorney of record in more than 100 appeals.
Most of the appeals Mike handles are on direct referral from trial counsel. Mike can handle all aspects of the appeal, from initiating the appeal through record preparation, drafting briefs, and oral argument. Mike can also limit his involvement to specific tasks (e.g., drafting briefs) if that is preferred.
Mike also consults with attorneys on high-profile cases to provide pre-trial analysis of potential appellate issues, to address record preservation and instruction issues, and to provide trial-level briefing on complex issue such as dispositive motions and expert motions.
- Handling appeals in all areas of civil litigation
- Handling all briefs, motions, and other filings in appellate courts
- Handling oral argument, or assisting referring counsel in preparation for argument
- Handling all post-opinion motions and motions seeking certiorari/discretionary review
PRODUCT LIABILITY
Mike has worked extensively in product liability matters since the beginning of his career, handling product liability matters in a wide variety of areas including automotive defects, defects involving industrial or work-related machinery, and defects involving a wide variety of consumer products such as power tools and household appliances.
Mike has extensive experience in all aspects of product liability litigation, including drafting pleadings to preserve all potential product liability claims, processing and reviewing the extensive record materials that are generally involved in product liability litigation, handling the detailed briefing that is often involved in such cases (e.g., dispositive motions and expert challenges), and deposing key witnesses on technical product/design issues.
Mike frequently works in a co-counsel arrangement with referring attorneys who have a potential product liability case.
- Handling cases involving automotive defects, including component defects
- Handling cases involving work-related machinery (frequently on referral from workers’ compensation counsel)
- Handling cases involving all manner of consumer products (power tools, household appliances, etc.)
- Available to handle product liability matters at both the trial and appellate level
- Available to assist referring counsel in pursuit of product liability matters, including case preparation, record development, and trial-level briefing
PREMISES LIABILITY
Premises liability involves injuries that occur as a result of the condition of property or activities that occur on property. Mike has handled a wide variety of premises liability actions under Colorado’s statutory framework.
In Colorado, the Premises Liability Act displaces the common law of negligence for claims against a property owner. In pursuing premises liability claims, it is important to be well-versed in the statutory framework in order to address core issues regarding who is treated as a property owner and determining the status of injured parties while on the property. Mike’s experience in this area allows him to address all details of such actions.
- Handling actions involving conditions of property, such as trip hazards and slippery surfaces
- Handling actions involving injuries caused by animals on property (e.g. dog bite)
- Handling actions arriving from criminal activity on a property (e.g. shooting in a parking lot)
- Handling actions involving both personal properties (e.g., houses, apartments) and commercial property (e.g., business establishments, public parking lots)
Referrals & Co-Counsel
Refer a matter or discuss an appeal
Send a short description of the matter, the court, and any operative deadlines. Initial conversations about appellate viability and scope carry no obligation.
Responses within one business day