COVID-19 and the Courts
The world completely changed a few weeks ago. Colorado has implemented a stay-at-home Order and most non-essential businesses and schools are closed through at least April 30th. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has determined that the virus is widespread in Colorado and a state of emergency has been declared. Many clients have questions…
Frivolous Lawsuits Defense
For a small business a frivolous lawsuit is not just a nuisance. If it’s not handled competently and efficiently – it can significantly impact profitability. There have been several noteworthy frivolous lawsuits reported. People contesting the authority of the U.S. Government to levy an income tax (the 16th Amendment is pretty clear on this). The lawsuit…
Credibility in the Courtroom
I was in a mediation recently with a retired judge as the mediator. He is a respected jurist that served for more than 40-years in various judicial roles. During the downtime between the long back and forth of the mediation, we talked about his time on the bench, the cases he decided and the lawyers…
Colorado’s Anti-SLAPP Law
Colorado recently became the 31ststate to enact an Anti-SLAPP law. The Anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) law is meant to quickly end lawsuits brought against people that exercise their 1stAmendment right to free speech. SLAPP lawsuits are used to intimidate someone into keeping quiet even though the plaintiff knows they can’t win the lawsuit. The…
Modern Law and Why it’s Important
I recently spoke at an event about the Modern Law Practice Initiative (MLPI) of the Colorado Bar and why it’s important. However, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur succinctly summed up the problem with the current state of the delivery of legal services much better than I could: I’ve basically been an involuntary power user of every…
Exceptions to Forced Arbitration in Colorado
Often, a contract will include a provision that requires the parties to resolve their dispute through binding arbitration. This means that you’ve waived your right to file a lawsuit and present your case to a judge or a jury. In Colorado, arbitration of disputes is favored and courts will enforce an unambiguous arbitration clause. There…