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

Lynn Kuznitz

Member

Lynn Kuznitz is a results-oriented attorney who defends her clients in State and Federal courts across the western United States. She has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including minor to catastrophic personal injuries, trucking and automobile accidents, railroad incidents, toxic torts, premises liability, and products liability. She has also represented clients in professional malpractice matters across a variety of disciplines. Lynn is a seasoned trial attorney who has obtained multiple defense verdicts, including at jury trial and through dispositive motions, and is experienced in all phases of litigation.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Lynn served as a captured counsel for a large global insurance company where she defended personal injury, property damage, subrogation, construction defect, and malpractice cases in both Colorado and Illinois.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2019
  • Illinois, 2014
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Illinois College of Law, 2014, magna cum laude
BA: University of South Florida, 2011, History, Minor in Classics, magna cum laude

Contact

kuznitzl@hallevans.com

James C. Worthen

Member

James Worthen is a seasoned civil litigator. His practice is focused in matters of wrongful death, serious personal injury, product liability, employment, and construction defect.  Mr. Worthen has successfully represented business and individuals in jury trials involving oilfield accidents, motor vehicle and recreational accidents, commercial litigation, medical malpractice, professional liability, and retail litigation. Mr. Worthen also represents insurance carriers in coverage opinions and in first and third-party bad faith claims.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Worthen was a partner at Murane & Bostwick, LLC.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Wyoming, 2005
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Tribal Court of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho

Location

Casper Office
152 North Durbin Street
Suite 404
Casper, WY 82601

Education

JD: University of Wyoming, 2005
BS: University of Wyoming, 2001, Political Science, Pi Sigma Alpha

Contact

worthenj@hallevans.com

More About
James

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Personal Injury General: Defense, 2018-2019
Professional Associations
  • Wyoming State Bar, Torts Section and Federal Bar Section
  • Natrona County Bar Association
  • Defense Lawyers Association of Wyoming
  • Defense Research Institute
  • J. Reuben Clark Law Society
  • ALFA International
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Moderator, “Game On: A Debate on #MeToo and its Impact on Business, Social Equality, and Due Process of Law,” ALFA International’s 2019 International Client Seminar, February 2019
  • Presenter, “Liability Trends in Oil & Gas Transportation,”ALFA International Oil & Gas Working Group Meeting, October 2017
  • Presenter, “Personal Electronic Devices Employment Policies,” Wyoming State Bar, Employment and Labor Section, February 2015
  • Presenter, “Civil Litigation in Tribal Court” Trial Attorneys of America, June 2013
  • Presenter, “Wyoming Employment Law Update, Annual Update,” Lorman Education Services, 2010 – 2016
  • Presenter, “Wyoming Workers Compensation Law,” Lorman Education Services, 2012-2015
  • Contributing Editor, “Labor and Employment Compendium – Wyoming,”ALFA International, 2011 – 2017
  • Contributing Editor, “Workers Compensation Compendium – Wyoming,” ALFA International 2011 – 2017
  • Contributing Editor, “Transportation Compendium – Wyoming,” Wyoming Section, ALFA International, 2013 – 2018
  • Contributing Editor, “Product Liability Desk Reference: A Fifty State Compendium – Wyoming,” Aspen Law & Business, 2013 – 2018
  • Contributing Author, “Desk Reference, A 50 State Summary – Wyoming,” Trucking Industry Defense Association, 2013 – 2015
Decisions
  • Viking Insurance Company v. Sumner, 2018 WL 4154774 (10th Cir. 2018)
  • C’Hair v. District Court of Ninth Judicial Dist., 357 P.3d 723 (Wyo. 2015)
  • Picozzi v. State ex rel. Wyoming Workers’ Safety, 304 P.3d 977 (Wyo. 2013)
  • Morris v. State ex rel. Wyoming Workers’ Safety, 276 P.3d 399 (Wyo. 2012)
  • Rice v. Collins Communication, Inc., 236 P.3d 1009 (Wyo. 2010)
  • Singer v. New Tech Engineering L.P., 227 P.3d 305 (Wyo. 2010)
  • Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. v. Gunter, 167 P.3d 645 (Wyo. 2007)
  • Montoya v. Walgreens, defense verdict on premises liability claim, April 2016
  • Encana Oil & Gas v. DHS Drilling, defense verdict on contract claim, March 2016
  • MDC v. Directional Rentals, defense verdict on contract claim, June 2015
  • Jones v. Kmart, defense verdict on premises liability claim, April 2015
  • Draper v. Kmart, defense verdict on premises liability claim, June 2012
  • Friedly v. Flanagan, defense verdict on malpractice claim, April 2007
Business & Community Service
  • Boy Scouts of America, Troop 535, Committee Chairman, 2005 – present
  • Trout Unlimited, Member, 2008 – present
  • Platte River Revival, Volunteer, 2014 – present
Blog Posts About James

Benton J. Barton

Member

Benton Barton is a hardworking, versatile trial lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, retained to assist clients wherever and whenever needed. His thirty-year practice currently focuses on resolving disputes and accidents arising from troubled design, construction and environmental projects, and their use of new processes and products. He has taken to trial numerous high-exposure cases, and his appellate work has generated new and notable law.

In addition to previous service in Firm management, Benton is contact partner for leading designers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, product suppliers and carriers. His tenacity and attention to detail have been applied successfully in matters of the highest complexity throughout Colorado, and also in Arizona, Connecticut, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Parties also regularly hire Benton to arbitrate and mediate disputes through the American Arbitration Association’s National Panel of Construction Arbitrators, where he has presided over eighty matters as a neutral.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 1999
  • Texas, 1992
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Texas School of Law, 1992

BA: Austin College, 1989

Contact

bartonb@hallevans.com

More About
Benton

Resume

Linkedin

 

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law; Arbitration; and Litigation – Construction
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Professional Liability Defense; Construction Law
  • American Arbitration Association, Construction Law Arbitrator
Appeals
  • Stan Clauson Associates, Inc. v. Coleman Brothers Construction, LLC, 297 P.3d 1042 (Colo. App. 2013)
  • Hamon Contractors, Inc. v. Carter & Burgess, Inc., 229 P.3d 282 (Colo. App. 2009)
  • Tyler Car & Truck Ctr. v. Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 2 S.W.3d 482 (Tex.App. – Tyler 1999)
  • Chasewood Oaks Condo. Homeowners Ass’n, Inc. v. Amatek Holdings, Inc., 977 S.W.2d 840 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 1998)
  • Andrade Garcia v. Columbia Med. Ctr. of Sherman, 996 F.Supp. 605 (E.D. Tex. 1998)
  • National Indus. Sand Ass’n v. Gibson, 897 S.W.2d 769 (Tex. 1995)
  • Doe v. Rains Co. Ind. School Dist., 76 F.3d 666 (5th Cir. 1996)
  • Tarrant Co. Hosp. District v. Curry, 907 S.W.2d 445 (Tex. 1995)
  • Doe v. Rains Co. Ind. School Dist., 66 F.3d 1402 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • Humphreys v. Caldwell, 888 S.W.2d 469 (Tex. 1994)
  • Humphreys v. Caldwell, 881 S.W.2d 940 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi 1994)
  • Smith v. L.D. Burns Drilling Co., 852 S.W.2d 40 (Tex.App. – Waco 1993)
Professional Associations

  • ALFA International: Construction Practice Group (Past Chair); Board of Directors (Past)

  • Colorado Bar Foundation, Fellow
Articles // Publications // Presentations // Webinars

  • Author/Speaker, “Blurred Lines? How Product Failures Amplify Exposures Facing Designers, Contractors and Insurers,” ALFA International, 2023

  • Speaker, “Sailing the High C’s: Contracts, Communication, Coordination,” Professional Underwriters Design Professional Seminar, 2023

  • Author/Speaker, “Get Smart! Smart Construction Concepts, Trends and Risks,” ALFA International, 2022

  • Speaker, “CLAIM Is a Five-Letter Word: What Happens When It Happens to You?” Van Oppen & Co. 2 Risk Control Seminar, 2021

  • Program Chair, “Leaving It Better Than You Found It: How to Lead, Inspire and Improve in Business and Law,” ALFA International, 2018

  • Speaker, “Public-Private Partnerships,” Beazley Design Professionals, 2017

  • Author/Speaker, “Catastrophic Litigation: Lessons from Defending Headline Cases,” ALFA International, 2015

  • Author/Editor, “Colorado Construction Defect Litigation and Coverage,” 2010 (Book)

Blog Posts About Benton

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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