Geoffrey T. Cunningham

Senior Associate

Geoffrey Cunningham’s litigation practice includes premises liability, construction defect, employment law, real estate litigation, HOA litigation, probate litigation, business litigation, and appellate work. He also represents insurers with bad faith and coverage matters.

Before joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Cunningham practiced insurance defense, criminal defense, corporate litigation, and family law in both Montana state and Federal District Court at a small firm in Billings, MT. Additionally, the broad nature of his practice included regular appellate cases at the Montana Supreme Court.

Mr. Cunningham is a Billings native who attended Billings Central Catholic High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Montana State University. After graduating from the University of Wyoming College of Law, he returned to his hometown to begin his career as a litigator. He is licensed in Montana and Wyoming.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 2015
  • Wyoming, 2017
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: University of Wyoming, 2015
BA: Montana State University, 2011, History

Contact

cunninghamg@hallevans.com

More About
Geoffrey

Resume

Appeals
  • Hanson v. Town of Fort Peck, 2023 MT 208, 414 Mont. 1, 538 P.3d 404
  • First Nat’l Props., LLC v. Joel D. Hillstead Tr., 2020 MT 211, 401 Mont. 59, 472 P.3d 134
  • B.D. v. Deming, 2020 MT 205N, 401 Mont. 556, 468 P.3d 815
  • Oldman v. State, 2015 WY 121, 359 P.3d 964
Professional Associations
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Montana
  • Wyoming State Bar
  • Yellowstone Area Bar Association
  • Montana Defense Trial Lawyers

Nathan R. Garcia

Senior Associate

Nathan Garcia is a versatile attorney with experience in civil litigation, transactional law, and trust and estate planning.

Mr. Garcia handles a wide variety of general civil litigation across Utah and Colorado including premises liability, insurance defense, and HOA matters.  His transactional work includes wills/trusts, entity formation, lease and contract negotiations, buy/sell agreements, and corporate governance. Mr. Garcia also handles complex trust and estate administration.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Garcia was the co-founder of a boutique law firm, and a nonprofit legal services firm based in Salt Lake City.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Utah, 2011
  • Colorado, 2019
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Utah

Location

Salt Lake City Office
175 South Main Street
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Education

JD: Seattle University School of Law, 2011

BA: University of Utah, 2008, Sociology

Contact

garcianr@hallevans.com

More About
Nathan

Resume

Linkedin

Troy R. Dickerson

Counsel

Troy Dickerson has specialized in common-interest community (HOA) and commercial association law since 2008, advising hundreds of Nevada associations on corporate governance, officer and director fiduciary duties, governing document interpretation, compliance enforcement, real property issues, and transactional matters. Mr. Dickerson has also successfully adjudicated over 75 compliance enforcement cases in favor of association clientele in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings, and routinely represents association clients before state and federal agencies and courts.

Mr. Dickerson studied finance and communications at BYU and received his law degree from The Ohio State University. During law school, he worked as a Judicial Extern at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio and clerked for a land use law firm in Columbus, Ohio, managed by one of his law school professors. After moving to Nevada in 2005, Mr. Dickerson represented corporate and gaming clients for several years as a business/real property litigation associate at one of the largest law firms in Las Vegas.

Location

Las Vegas Office
1160 North Town Center Drive
Suite 330
Las Vegas, NV 89144

Education

JD: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2003
BA: Brigham Young University, 1995, Business Management & Finance, Minor in Business Competency & Communications

Contact

dickersont@hallevans.com

More About
Troy

Resume

Linkedin

Professional Associations
  • State Bar of Nevada
  • Clark County Bar Association
  • Community Associations Institute (“CAI”)
Professional Experience
  • Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Dickerson supervised the general counsel department at the Las Vegas office of a regional law firm for over six (6) years and has practiced as senior counsel specializing in association matters at several law firms throughout Nevada.  Prior to attending law school, Mr. Dickerson worked in finance and as inventory manager for a retail business chain.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Author, “Can HOAs Regulate Residential Solar Panels?,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 31, 2017 (article contributor)
  • Author, “ADA and FHA Define Service Animals Differently,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 5, 2018 (article contributor)
  • Teacher, “CAI Board Leadership Development Workshop Module 5:  Association Rules and Conflict Resolution,” CAI Nevada Training, March 2018
  • Teacher, “CAI Board Development Workshop Module 2:  Communications, Meetings, and Volunteerism,” CAI Nevada Training, March 2017
  • Author/Teacher of Multiple NRED Certified Continuing Education Courses for Community Association Board Member and Manager education credit, 2014-2020
Other Activities
  • Raised in Southern California, Mr. Dickerson enjoys an occasional visit to the beach, running, watching college sports, spending time with his family, and learning jazz piano.

Heather A. Thomas

Member

Heather Thomas is an experienced trial attorney focused on achieving her clients’ goals and objectives for litigation whether it be trying a case to verdict or reaching an early and efficient resolution. Heather began her career working for her father’s construction supply company and now, she represents and defends builders, contractors and design professionals in various construction disputes and litigation.

Heather also worked as field counsel for a Fortune 500 Global Insurance Company where she was one of two attorneys in the Denver office approved to handle and defend clients against high exposure, million-dollar claims, including products liability and catastrophic personal injury claims. As field counsel, Heather appeared on behalf of her clients in courtrooms throughout the State of Colorado, including the U. S. District Court for the District of Colorado. In 2018, Heather served as first chair in a ski collision case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado where the jury determined the plaintiff was 49% at fault for her alleged injuries and damages.

Upon moving to Hall & Evans, Heather’s practice now includes representation of homeowner associations in various commercial disputes. Regardless of the type of case, Heather’s experience now allows her to evaluate and develop strategies early in the representation of her clients to determine how best to garner the most leverage and resolve the case in a manner most optimal for her clients. Early evaluation and case management help Heather to steer her cases to the best possible outcome for the client, whether it be litigation, mediation or settlement.

Heather communicates with her clients often during any case to ensure she understands their concerns and goals, and that they are keenly aware of the status of the matter throughout the litigation. Heather also evaluates the claims against her clients to assist with developing the evidence in a way most helpful in obtaining leverage in any given case whether it be via testimony or motions practice to gain a tactical advantage whether it be for trial or settlement. Heather is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated attorney who welcomes new challenges and clients to her practice.

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2001

LLM: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2009, Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy

BS: Colorado State University, 1995, Natural Resources Management, Minor in Economics

Contact

thomash@hallevans.com

More About
Heather

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Decisions
  • Patricia Klug v. E.B., a minor, 1:14-cv-03185-WYD (D. Colo. 2018)
Appeals
  • Munger v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 174 P.3d 563 (Colo. App. 2007)
Professional Associations
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Colorado & Denver Bar Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • National Ski Patrol
  • Home Builders Foundation, Board Member, 2013-2020
  • Home Builders Association, Government Affairs Committee, 2013-2016
  • Metro Housing Coalition, Board Member, 2013-2016
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “A Perfect Marriage: Resiliency and Insurability,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Construction Conference, June 2020
Blog Posts About Heather

Valerie Garcia

Member

Valerie Garcia is an experienced trial attorney with a proven track record for success. Starting her legal career in the courtroom as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender, Valerie is well prepared to represent her clients through all phases of litigation, including deposition, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Early case analysis helps Valerie chart the appropriate strategy for a winning outcome, be it settlement, mediation, or litigation. With a focus on resolution, Valerie helps her clients preserve valuable relationships and see their way to optimal resolution based on cost-containment, damage control, and legal strategies.  When an aggressive defense at trial is the best course, Valerie is a vigorous advocate in any litigation setting. Valerie was voted one of the Top 100 Lawyers (2017-2021, 2023, 2025) and Top 50 Women (2015, 2017-2025) in Colorado by Colorado Super Lawyers®.

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 1998, Chancellor’s Scholar
BA: University of Colorado – Denver, 1992, Political Science

Contact

garciav@hallevans.com

More About
Valerie

Resume

Linkedin

 

Professional Associations
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Greater-Denver Chapter
    • National Chair, Regions 6-10, 2022-present
    • Region 8 Co-Chair, 2016-2022
    • Vice President, 2015-2016
    • Secretary, 2014
    • Education Chair, 2012-2014
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Colorado Bar Association
    • The Colorado Lawyer Advisory Committee, 2022-present
  • Denver Bar Association
    • Mentoring Program, Program Chair, 2010-2011
    • Board of Trustees, 2008-2011
  • Home Builders Association’s Quality Construction Committee Participant, 2006
  • Women’s Construction Litigation Alliance, Midwest Regional Chair, 2014-present
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Colorado Editor & Co-Author, Selected from over 700 attorneys nationwide, “CLM Claims Handling Guide”
  • Speaker, “Developments in Additional Insured Endorsements and Colorado Legislative Efforts at Construction Litigation Reform,” Colorado Claims Association, Annual Meeting, October 2015
  • Speaker, “Marijuana in the Mainstream: Practical Implications for Attorneys and Claims Professionals,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Greater-Denver Chapter Meeting, August 2015
  • Speaker, “Construction Litigation Claims 101,” United Fire Group Claims & Underwriter Training, April 2015
  • Speaker, “Recreational Marijuana and Claims,” Construction Defect Claims Managers Association, September 2014
  • Speaker, “Top Ten Things that Keep Claims Professionals and Risk Managers Awake at Night,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Construction Conference, August 2014
  • Speaker, “Presenting Exhibits from you iPad at Trial – TrialPad for Lawyers,” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, May 2014
  • Speaker, “Beyond the Glass Ceiling,” University of Denver, Mentoring Program, 2014
  • Speaker, “Advising Your Clients regarding Marijuana in the Workplace,” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, March 2014
  • Presiding Judge, Mock Trial and Presenter on Litigation Best Practices, Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers, October 2013
  • Speaker, “Ethical Considerations for Partnerships between Claims and Counsel,” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, August 2013
  • Speaker, “Negotiation Strategies for Claims Professionals,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Training Session, May 2013
  • Speaker, “Real Estate Appraiser Liability Issues,” Northern Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers General Membership Meeting, April 2013
  • Speaker, “Hot Topics for Real Estate Appraiser Liability,” Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers General Membership Meeting, September 2012
  • Speaker, “Best Practices for Working with your Corporate Client’s Legal Department and Risk Management Group,” Panel Counsel Meeting at Defense Research Institute, April 2011
  • Speaker, “Practicing More Efficiently, While Staying Out of Trouble,” Denver Bar Association, 2010
  • Speaker, “Practicing with Professionalism,” University of Denver Law School Orientation, 2009
  • Speaker, “Risk Management for Contractors,” Turner Construction & University of Denver, 2006
  • Co-Author, “Developments in Construction Litigation,” Colorado Defense Lawyers Associations, 2004
  • Author, “Construction & Product Liability Legislative Update,” Denver Claims Magazine, 2003
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Construction Litigation, 2014-2022; Civil Litigation: Defense, 2023-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Women in Colorado, 2015, 2017-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Top 100 Lawyers in Colorado, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025
  • Denver’s Top Rated Lawyers 2013-2018
  • Women Leaders in the Law 2014-2018
Business & Community Service
  • Appointed by Gov. Hickenlooper to the Judicial Performance Commission, 18th Judicial District, 2016-2019
  • Appointed by Douglas County Sheriff to Douglas County Cold Case Review Team, 2015-present
Professional Experience
  • Before joining Hall & Evans, Valerie was an equity shareholder at Kennedy Childs PC.
Appeals
  • Brown v. Installed Building Products, 14CA2266 (Colo. App. April 2016)
  • Winkler v. Shaffer, 356 P.3d 1020 (Colo. App. 2015)
Blog Posts About Valerie

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