2015 Leading Lawyers

Leading Lawyers SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015 gazette.com/law

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.

Established attorney Tim Bussey fights for your rights in criminal and civil cases PLUS:

Marrison Family Law, LLC helps move Southern Colorado families forward Attorney Bob Odle shares estate planning knowledge with community Q&A with the team at McDivitt Law Firm The Moller Law Group on understanding intricacies of elder law

A SPECIAL ADVERT ISING F E AT URE OF T HE GA ZE T T E

LEADERS IN FAMILY LAW Trust the firm devoted exclusively to family law

in Colorado Springs and Pueblo Marrison Family Law’s attorneys provide Colorado Springs families the finest family law legal service in the Pikes Peak area. For over a quarter of a century, we have helped people navigate the complexities of divorce, annulment, property division, custody and visitation, and child support.

Our award winning firm can help you with your divorce or custody battle.

If you are deciding which Colorado Springs family lawyer to choose, why not choose the best?

www.marrisonlaw.com Call today for a free consultation

719.577.9292

•

225 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Leading Lawyers: May 31, 2015

Published by The Gazette 30 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

President & Publisher Dan Steever General Manager Brad Howard Advertising Director Rhonda Miller Editor, Leading Lawyers Hannah Blick Photographer Mark Reis Graphic Designer Gina Pietramale Local Community Sales Manager Erik Carlson To advertise: 719-476-1618

contents

4 Attorney Bob Odle educates community members on estate planning ........................ 7 Q&A with the team at McDivitt Law Firm .................................................................. 10 The Moller Law Group knows first-hand the significance of elder law...................... 12 Nonprofits, businesses have a champion in attorney John C. Buckley, III................ 15 Marrison Family Law, LLC helps move Southern Colorado families forward ............ 16

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. fights for your rights in criminal and civil cases ..................

Visit www.gazette.com/law for more stories from the local legal community, including a humor piece from El Paso County Bar Association columnist Dan Rector and updates from the University of Colorado Law School and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

community legal calendar

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado: Legal Clinics

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the 4th Saturday of every month, no appointment necessary Marian House, 14 W. Bijou Street 719-866-6283 www.ccharitiescc.org Clients of the Marion House, part of CCCC, are welcome to attend this pro-bono legal clinic. Experienced attorneys are available to assist and answer questions on a variety of legal issues. Please bring any information or paperwork pertaining to your case or question.

Mercy’s Gate: Legal Advice Legal advice: during office hours, by appointment only Lawyer appointments: 9 a.m.– noon on Thursdays, by appointment only 4360 Montebello Drive 719-277-7470 Ext. 124 www.mercysgatecs.org Whether you need advice or would like to schedule an appointment with an attorney, call Mercy’s Gate to reserve your space. Please visit our website for updated office hours.

Ask-A-Lawyer, sponsored by the El Paso County Bar Association 10 a.m. – noon, on the 2nd Saturday of each month, no appointment necessary Located in the Imagination Celebration Suite on the east side of the Citadel Mall, on the second level 719-636-1532 www.elpasocountybar.org Obtain free, confidential and anonymous legal advice from volunteer attorneys from the El Paso County Bar Association. Volunteer attorneys will answer the public’s legal questions in person.

Call-A-Lawyer, sponsored by the El Paso County Bar Association 7– 9 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of every month* Call 719-471-0380 for this service *Please note, on July 16 and November 19, Call-A-Lawyer will be from 5–7 p.m. at 719-457-0640. www.elpasocountybar.org Volunteer attorneys from the El Paso County Bar Association answer telephone calls from the public. All calls are anonymous and confidential.

Robert M. Willson Kent H. Borges Ben Sparks Christopher M. Brandt Scott W. Johnson David P. Steigerwald Paul W. Hurcomb

Matthew A. Niznik William J. Robers Steven R. Ogle Roger Wertheimer Jessica K. Danehy

Randolph M. Karsh (SPECIAL TAX COUNSEL)

Gregory V. Pelton (OF COUNSEL)

R. Kenneth Sparks 1936–2007

24 South Weber Street, Suite 400, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 719.634.5700 • www.sparkswillson.com

Corporate & Transactions • Commerical Litigation • Real Estate • Intellectual Property & Technology Licensing • Creditor’s Rights • Employment Law • Estate Planning • Sports Law • Tax • Construction Litigation • Governments, Special Districts & Zoning • Local & Special Counsel L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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Justice

for all

Tenacious Springs attorney makes a difference in constitutional law COURTESY OF THE BUSSEY LAW FIRM, P.C. PHOTOS BY MARK REIS

4 L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

“When you hire an attorney, you place your future in someone else’s hands.

You need someone who will dedicate the time to know you, understand your case, and obtain a favorable disposition.”

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., has earned a reputation for tenacity and professional leadership. The firm’s principal, Timothy R. Bussey, is a longtime resident of Colorado Springs and is beginning his third decade of practice.

In his many years spent defending those accused of driving under the influence and charged with felonies, Bussey has watched the legal system impose ever-increasing challenges for criminal defense. Rather than accept diminished returns for his efforts on behalf of the accused, Bussey has responded in kind, bringing enhanced representation that is aggressive and innovative. He has reached prominence within the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and has drawn wider notice among practitioners seeking to stay abreast of emerging legal trends.

A cornerstone of Bussey’s work has been study of forensic science, as technological innovations take a growing role in litigation.

While respecting the tools of science, Bussey labors to prevent their misuse and to harmonize their use with traditional and controlling constitutional principles.

On December 11, 2009, Bussey was already recognized as a leading Colorado Springs trial attorney and advocate for the accused. However, even with his experience in defending DUI charges, Bussey could not have foreseen the full significance of a press release issued by the Colorado Springs Police Department. In its press release, the department admitted errors had been

discovered during an internal investigation of the Metro Crime Lab, an entity responsible for blood alcohol testing in criminal cases.

In keeping with his policy of leaving no stone unturned, Bussey issued an immediate request under the Colorado Open Records Act for greater disclosure. The City of Colorado Springs opposed his request, refusing to grant access to the laboratory’s records for independent investigation. Bussey responded with a legal action against the City of Colorado Springs. The matter was heard by District Court Judge Larry Schwartz, who overruled the city. When Bussey was allowed access to the records and learned of misfeasance at the Metro Crime Lab far more consequential than what had previously been publicized, he shared his findings and strategies with members of the local and state bars. This helped the defense bar to purge and prevent the spread of taint that had already affected scores of criminal cases.

Thanks to the light Bussey helped shine on the testing errors at the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab, the information was made available to all. The laboratory subsequently ceased blood alcohol testing.

This discovery of laboratory misfeasance was not something affecting only the 4th Judicial District in the Colorado Springs area. Findings and publicity Bussey helped generate received national attention and influenced the development of constitutional law. Justin McShane, a Pennsylvania attorney, sought Bussey’s records for inclusion in

an amicus brief to be submitted by the National College of DUI Defense Attorneys, in “Bullcoming v. New Mexico,” a case before the United States Supreme Court.

The “Bullcoming” case concerned the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment, and whether in criminal cases the prosecutor may convict the accused on the basis of forensic laboratory test results without calling as a witness the laboratory technician who conducted the test. The public has become so trusting of government laboratories that the prosecutor in “Bullcoming” was emboldened to argue that granting the accused a right to cross-examine laboratory technicians in criminal cases would be a waste of time. The question was close enough to divide the Supreme Court justices.

Justice Ginsburg, writing for the majority in “Bullcoming,” relied on an article published in The Gazette in which Bussey was quoted on the issue. Justice Ginsburg concluded that the Confrontation Clause requires the prosecution to produce a laboratory witness who assisted in the actual testing of the sample. Justice Ginsburg stated in the opinion concerning laboratory errors that the risk of human error is not so remote as to be negligible and that “in neighboring Colorado, a single forensic laboratory produced at least 206 flawed blood-alcohol readings over a three-year span, prompting the dismissal of several criminal prosecutions.”

Bussey’s litigation experience concerning laboratories is not limited to the Metro Crime CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. 12 East Boulder Street Phone: 719.475.2555 Fax: 719.475.0046 www.thebusseylawfirm.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Lab. In 2012, Bussey actively involved himself in litigation of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment laboratory (CDPHE), exposing critical personnel and training issues at the laboratory. On July 3, 2013, the CDPHE laboratory shut down its alcohol testing program.

As a result of Bussey’s countless attacks on behalf of his clients, he was named one of the Top Attorneys in Colorado for 2015. In addition, he recently earned the designation from the American Chemical Society as a LawyerScientist, one of only a handful in the country.

Recently, The Bussey Law Firm has gained attention for winning a libel suit in the English courts and a judgment for £100,000 against an individual who posted a fraudulent and libelous review on the firm’s Google Maps profile. This is believed to be the first defamation suit of its kind and it sets a clear precedent giving protection to the reputations of businesses and tradespersons in the emerging electronic era.

Bussey’s defense of DUI charges has given him expertise in cross-examining experts in fields like toxicology and accident reconstruction. This dovetails with the firm’s rapid growth in civil plaintiff’s work. The firm is now offering representation in civil litigation.

“We have been approached this year by some new businesses who were looking for some fresh ideas concerning their legal needs,” Bussey said. “They have seen our success in the criminal defense arena and want us to assist and problem solve for their businesses.”

Bussey is deliberate with each of his clients, cognizant of the weight of their decisions to seek counsel. “When you hire an attorney, you place your future in someone else’s hands,” he said. “You need someone who will dedicate the time to know you, understand your case, and obtain a favorable disposition.”

Ultimately, the education, the experience, and time spent poring over each case all boils down to what Bussey knows is paramount: “At the end of the day, what we do as attorneys is help people through difficult times. Whether it is a criminal allegation or a complex civil matter we offer practical legal advice and fight for our clients in the courtroom.” ◆ 6 L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

FROM LEFT: Timothy R. Bussey and Clinton Albert

MEET THE BUSSEY LAW FIRM’S NEWEST ATTORNEY: CLINTON ALBERT In January 2015, The Bussey Law Firm welcomed the newest member of its team, attorney Clinton Albert.

As a Pennsylvania native, Albert obtained his law degree at Temple University in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, Albert accepted a position with the Colorado Public Defender, and relocated to the Rocky Mountains.

After four years as a deputy public defender and fulltime litigator for indigent clients, Albert accepted attorney Timothy R. Bussey’s offer to join The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., in private practice.

The firm appreciates the experience Albert has from his days as a deputy public defender, a position in which young lawyers are completely immersed in the criminal law and confronted with

important decisions on an hourly basis.

While working as a public defender, Albert litigated a variety of charges, from misdemeanors to first-degree murder.

“Clint brings a different perspective and a fresh intelligence to each situation,” Bussey said. Albert is a member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. “Joining the team at The Bussey Law Firm has given me the opportunity to take on new challenges and a wider variety of cases,” he said. “Mr. Bussey understands that while the will to win is important, the will to prepare is vital. Those are principles I’ve always subscribed to. Whether a client has been accused of a criminal offense or seriously injured by actions of another, our team here is committed to helping them obtain favorable outcomes.” ◆

future

Plan for the

Downtown attorney works to bring order, healing to families through estate planning

BY HANNAH BLICK, LEADING LAWYERS • PHOTOS BY MARK REIS

W

hen it comes to family, we are all dealt a different hand. Throw in finances, end-of-life decisions and legal red tape, and for many relatives, it’s the perfect storm.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Odle Law, LLC 121 S. Tejon Street, Suite 900

Phone: 719-559-4099 Fax: 719-599-4097 www.odle-law.com

L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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Odle Law, LLC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Take Katherine, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. After her father passed away suddenly last year, Katherine’s future and inheritance were left to the mercies of an out-of-date will and irrelevant estate decisions, complicated by uncooperative family members and interstate legal issues.

“Many of our problems could have been pretty easily avoided with some regular updating and solid legal counsel before my father died,” she said. “Instead, we’re throwing so much time and money into sorting it all out. It’s a total mess.” That’s where attorney and estate planning pro Bob Odle comes in.

ESTATE PLANNING 101

Last year, Katherine stumbled upon an estate planning seminar at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, hosted by Odle, owner

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of Odle Law, LLC. Immediately drawn in by his knowledge of estate law, Katherine has sought his legal counsel and attended another of Odle’s complimentary Estate Planning 101 seminars in April.

“He’s the only one who’s bothered to return my calls in a timely manner,” she said. “He is very patient in answering my questions, which makes such an impression on me.”

Odle has even managed to open a line of communication with the attorney aiding Katherine’s sister, a main proponent of the conflict over their late father’s estate. “It has just been a game changer for me,” she said.

“I have learned so much and hope to be able to continue with Bob as our probate attorney when we get to that point.”

Though he practices in a variety of fields, from criminal law to civil litigation, Odle is especially committed to helping serve and educate the community on the importance

of estate planning. He offers 90-minute seminars four times each month addressing the most common estate planning issues clients face. For Odle, his time is a small price to pay to serve Colorado Springs families.

“I build relationships almost immediately with anyone who comes to me for counsel. I tell them what they need to hear right away,” he said. “I am interested in their lives, I genuinely care that they’re successful.”

During each estate planning seminar, Odle discusses a variety of legal tools available to help people of all ages plan for aging, including life insurance, the probate process, and appointing medical and legal representatives in the event of incapacity. Odle invites questions from the audience and offers each a free, 30-minute consultation, if needed.

Odle isn’t just preaching, either. He and his wife, Teri Odle, are both walking with parents

and grandparents through the aging process.

He is helping move his mother from California to Colorado Springs, where she can be nearby in case of physical or mental limitations. Odle is also working to ensure all his mother’s legal documents are in order so that when the time comes, his family does not need to be caught up in legal strife. “It’s important to me that my family is united in this process, and that’s what I want for other families,” he said.

“So many just don’t know or understand the ever-changing laws that will affect them, but I can help them with that.”

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Odle’s love for his community is evident, reaching beyond the time he spends counseling the community on estate planning.

Odle participates in both the “Ask a Lawyer” and “Call a Lawyer” programs, sponsored by the El Paso County Bar Association. From 10 a.m.–noon on the second Saturday of each month, Odle and other volunteer lawyers are available in the Imagination Celebration Suite on the upper level at the Citadel Mall to provide confidential and anonymous legal advice at no charge. He might also answer the other end of 719-471-0380 from 7–9 p.m. on any given third Thursday of the month for those seeking legal counsel. He has done prison ministry, volunteers time at his local church, and is active with the Colorado and El Paso County Bar Associations and Christian Legal Society.

However, a majority of Odle’s volunteer time goes to TESSA of Colorado Springs, an organization committed to building a community free from domestic and sexual violence. In Room S101 at the El Paso County Courthouse, just a few blocks from Odle’s office, volunteers gather each day from 8:30 –10:30 a.m. to form The Self Help Center, a safe spot for victims of domestic and sexual abuse to seek legal counsel and other support.

As one of the several on-call attorneys to TESSA staff and volunteers, Odle helps provide services to self-represented parties, from procedural information to locating and completing forms, even providing references for community resources and offering mediation help and the chance to resolve disputes outside the courtroom. He said most of the clients are female victims of physical, mental, emotional, and/or financial abuse by

a spouse or partner, and they don’t typically have the means or knowledge to hire an attorney to counsel them.

“They don’t deserve to be treated this way,” Odle said. “It’s heartbreaking, but this is a way to help the vulnerable, the weak, the helpless defend themselves.”

SOLID FROM THE START

Born and raised in Southern California, Odle moved to Texas and attended Lubbock Christian University for his undergraduate degree. Odle stayed in Lubbock and earned his law degree at Texas Tech University. After school, he moved back to California, where he got his legal feet wet for a couple years before moving to Durango, Colo., to work as a prosecutor in the 6th Judicial District. “That’s where I learned criminal law and got a lot of courtroom experience,” he said. “Then, I took a break from that and did ministry.”

In 1997, Odle and his family moved to Cuernavaca, Mexico — an hour south of Mexico City — to work in an orphanage through the Church of Christ. After moving back to the U.S. in 2001, Odle served as the pastor at a church in The Woodlands, Tex. outside of Houston and later in Richmond, Va. He now draws from his experiences as a pastor when counseling his clients on legal and personal matters. “I’m making my living practicing law, I never consider myself not being in ministry,” Odle said. “It’s about caring for and guiding people.”

The Odle family made one last move to Colorado Springs in August 2013, and he opened Odle Law, LLC. It wasn’t difficult for Odle to return to Colorado, citing the climate, outdoor lifestyle, friendly people and family ties as obvious pulls. “Colorado has always been our favorite place in the world,” Odle said.

Odle Law accepts DUI and traffic cases, probate and estate lawsuits, and any civil litigation, including domestic violence situations, as well as offers estate planning services. Odle provides an accurate, up-front assessment after meeting with clients and walks with them through the entire litigation process, from start to finish.“The system can be so demeaning. I want to see my clients walk away with their dignity intact,” he said.

For Katherine, Odle has done just that.

“It’s given me hope,” she said. “I don’t know where things will end up, but I feel encouraged just knowing someone cares and is willing to walk with me through it.” ◆

Estate Planning 101 Pikes Peak Library: Library 21c 1175 Chapel Hills Drive Ent Conference Center

Offered as a public service

by Odle Law, LLC, 90-minute seminars are available afternoons and evenings four times each month.

Call 719-559-4099 or visit www.odle-events.com for the complete schedule and to register.

L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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Teaming up McDivitt Law Firm takes collaborative approach to client care, case management IN T ER V IE W BY H A N N A H BL IC K , L E A D IN G L AW Y ER S • P H OT O BY M A R K R EIS

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What roles do the McDivitt What do team members team members play in do to prepare for working each client’s case? with clients and on cases?

We have more than 90 employees working in four different locations to provide our clients with protection and access to the civil justice system. From the intake and marketing departments to the pre-litigation team and helpful client services staff, each person is in place to best aid the clients who need our help and the attorneys who fight the battles for them.

We truly run like a well-oiled machine, each person knows his or her part and takes it very seriously. Whether you are hurt in a car crash, injured on the job or by a bad drug, situations like this can often ruin your life, and you deserve compensation and redress.

If we for some reason cannot accept a client’s case, we always make sure we connect them with the best referrals and needed resources like housing assistance or health care options, said intake department manager Brianna Oliver. We make sure each person who passes through our care is treated with dignity and respect.

How do you care for your clients from beginning to end?

From the moment clients walk through the front door to the time their cases are resolved and they have received compensation, we are looking for ways to go the extra mile. At the front desk, we greet our clients warmly and often by name, said client services team lead Stacy Racine. We know people come to us during difficult times in their lives, so we seek to be a source of encouragement and hope.

We cater to each person, no matter his or her needs, disabilities, or requests. For instance, if a client is unable to come to our offices due to an injury, we will go to them.

It’s a very fluid process, we do a great job moving people along at the right pace, said Stephen Longo, one of 23 attorneys at McDivitt Law Firm. The call center team is especially crucial in helping care for clients.

When you call McDivitt Law Firm, whether for the first time or to check on your current case, you speak with a knowledgeable team member who is able to answer your questions and connect you to the right people quickly, said workers compensation administrator Sterling Clydesdale. Clear communication is highly valued at McDivitt, both internally and externally.

All team members go through an extensive training program to make sure they recognize they are an integral part of the firm and have the tools they need to help our clients. We cover everything from emotional intelligence to financial management and caring for those with handicaps. We believe the value we put into our team members will be passed on to our clients, said Karen Dowling-Maiorana, department training coordinator.

Each case is reviewed and poured into by team members from a variety of backgrounds and legal experiences; we even have a former judge on the team. We also pool our resources and reach out to our connections around town for whatever advice or resources are needed along the way, said case manager Brandi Brown. This ensures we have built the strongest case possible for our client.

What do you enjoy most about working for McDivitt Law Firm?

We all love the team atmosphere and sense of camaraderie we get to be a part of every day. Even though we are a large firm, we all know each other well. We celebrate accomplishments and cheer each other on through birthdays, anniversaries, and legal successes. It’s nice to come to work when everyone is good to each other, said client services manager Kelly McKellar.

The McDivitt family is so down-to-earth and incredibly generous with its employees; they know all of our names, which is impressive.

They love this community and give to so many causes, from the American Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity to children’s soccer teams. There is nothing too big or too small in our community for us to get behind. If they know one of us is passionate about a cause or organization, they want to be a part of it, too. From my perspective, that is key to our success in this community, said Silvia Orozco, marketing and public relations coordinator.

What are some unique services your team members bring to the table?

Everyone here has strengths and skills that help our entire firm succeed. We have two fulltime IT team members who keep on top of any

McDivitt Law Firm

Downtown Colorado Springs 19 East Cimarron Street Phone: 719-471-3700 Fax: 719-471-9782

North Colorado Springs

5850 Tutt Center Point, Suite 110 Phone: 719-471-3700 Fax: 719-471-3701

Denver

1401 17th Street, Suite 500 Phone: 3030-426-4878 Fax: 303-996-8569

Pueblo

409 North Grand Avenue, Suite D Phone: 719-542-3700 Fax: 719-542-3701

www.mcdivittlaw.com

maintenance issues and keep us growing and moving forward. Eight of our team members are fluent in Spanish and serve as crucial resources for our Spanish-speaking clients and families. We have team members of all ages, giving us the best blend of energy and wisdom when it comes to walking our clients through the legal process.

What kind of expansions do you see in the future for McDivitt Law Firm?

We are always growing, and that is something to be proud of, said Amy Christensen, litigation paralegal supervisor.

All of our growth has been organic over the last 40 years, including opening branches in both Denver and Pueblo. This summer, we will celebrate the one-year anniversary of our newest location in Colorado Springs at Powers and Stetson Hills.

Each department is thriving and many have almost doubled in size in the past year.

We love welcoming new team members into our family — every new addition gives us a better chance to help more clients who are at the mercy of unjust decisions made by overpowering insurance companies. We know we can help them, and we are honored to serve our community in this way. ◆

OPPOSITE PAGE: (L – R Front) Sterling Clydesdale, Brandi Brown, Silvia Orozco, Stacy Racine; (L – R Back)Kelly McKellar, Karen Dowling-Maiorana, Brianna Oliver, Amy Christensen, Stephen Longo L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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A VOICE

for the aging Family law attorney experiences first-hand significance of elder law

BY HANNAH BLICK, LE ADING L AW YERS • PHOTOS BY MARK REIS

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“Understanding the intricacies of caring for elderly parents is never simple, but I would encourage everyone to take steps today, even a few basic ones.”

F

or attorney William “Bill” Moller, elder law hits close to home.

“When I meet with clients who are trying to make long-term care decisions for themselves or their elderly relatives, I know exactly what they are going through, because I have been there,” he said.

ELDER LAW EXPERIENCE

Bill’s mother has dementia and his mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s disease, both neurodegenerative conditions that cause memory loss and inability to care for oneself.

For several years, he has walked the aging journey with his own family, helping them plan for the future and find the best possible financial provision and care for the now.

Navigating elder law encompasses a variety of issues including Medicaid planning, Veteran’s Assistance (VA), trusts, and elder abuse.

Bill’s parents had always been healthy and happy in their 62-year marriage, but when his father, 87, found himself suddenly unable to care for his wife, 84, who had grown combative in her dementia, they knew they needed to find another long-term care solution for their family.

“We started dealing with care facilities and seeing what we liked and didn’t like,” Bill, owner of The Moller Law Group, LLC, said.

“We did so much research and reading on how to best approach everything. Now, we truly understand the strategy behind helping people deal with these situations.”

This spring, Bill visited his mother in her long-term care facility in Denver, and for the first time, in her dementia, she didn’t recognize him. “You think you’re ready, but when it happens, it hurts,” he said.

Thankfully, Bill is not walking this journey with his family alone.

The Moller Law Group, LLC, Downtown Colorado Springs Office 429 S. Cascade Avenue

Woodland Park Office 18401 East US Highway 24, Suite 122 Phone: 719-694-1284 Fax: 719-687-2378 www.mollerlawgroup.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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The Moller Law Group, LLC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

“My wife and I met in the 7th grade and we’re now in our 34th year of marriage,” he said.

“Our marriage represents a team effort.” Carla Moller serves as CFO of The Moller Law Group, LLC, and keeps the firm operating smoothly by introducing technology to help the staff better serve their clients. She has also walked with her mother through the process of developing Alzheimer’s and relocating to a long-term care facility in Colorado Springs at age 75.

“We always planned a mother-in-law suite at our house, but she was too physical — yelling, biting, kicking — we knew we had to find her better care.”

Through their knowledge of estate planning, the Moller’s have been able to preserve Carla’s mother’s financial estate and ensure she has the best care possible.

“Understanding the intricacies of caring for elderly parents is never simple, but I would encourage everyone to take steps today, even a few basic ones,” Bill said.

“Don’t wait until it’s too late for you to make them for yourself. Start with powers of attorney and build from there. We can help with that.” Making these decisions ahead of time lifts emotional burden from family members, and it makes their jobs easier should the need for care ever arise.

End-of-life planning is not just for the elderly.

The Moller Law Group emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place no matter your age or martial status. “There’s planning and then there’s crisis,” Bill said. “There are preventative measures you can take to make sure it doesn’t get to that point.”

“For example, if you’re a younger person and have minor children, who would care for the kids if anything were to happen to you and your spouse? It’s important to think about,” Bill said. Even without a spouse or

agreement or probate at the end of life, we are there to help.”

The Moller Law Group, LLC has been representing families up and down the Front Range for a number of years and is experienced in step-parent adoptions, divorce, custody matters and other family related issues. Bill likes to help people in times of crisis and gets satisfaction in knowing that he and his firm have helped at a time that it mattered most.

“Having a family attorney is like having a family physician,” Bill said. “You might not need them right in this moment, but there will come a time when you need something from them, whether it be big or small. It’s healthy to start building that relationship.”

Bill served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army and taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“I learned how to work well with many types of personalities and I can make a fairly quick assessment of where a person is and what they might need,” he said.

“This allows me to help their situation without wasting a great deal of time.”

Having a family background and a military background, Bill has developed a desire to help people however he can. He often develops long-term relationships with people and learns their stories so he can walk with them through every season of life. “Colorado Springs has one of the highest densities of military population in the country, including veterans, so understanding military culture is absolutely key to practicing law in this community,” Bill said.

“Especially family and elder law.” ◆

“When I meet with clients who are trying to make long-term care decisions for themselves or their elderly relatives, I know exactly what they are going through, because I have been there.”

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dependants, Bill encourages his clients and family members to think ahead.

FAMILY LAW CONNECTION

With offices in downtown Colorado Springs and Woodland Park, The Moller Law Group practices elder law, estate planning, and asset protection, as well as provides the full range of family law services. “I believe in family, so I want to meet the needs of the family from birth to death,” Bill said.

“Whether you need help with a prenuptial

PROFILE:

John C. Buckley, III PHOTO AND STORY COURTESY OF BUCKLEY LAW

Buckley Law 1277 Kelly Johnson Blvd., Ste. 250 Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719.447.8797 www.BuckleyLaw.com

“I am grateful to be part of a family business that is so client-focused like Buckley Law,” said John Buckley. “Whether we’re doing a seminar for potential donors of nonprofits like the USAF Academy Endowment or flying ourselves to meet with a client on the Western Slope, we are blessed to be practicing law that truly makes a difference in the lives of our clients’ families and businesses.”

Buckley Law provides estate planning, including wills, trusts, charitable and nonprofit planning; business planning, including forming unique entities for clients owning operational or passive businesses; and asset protection planning, including protecting clients’ hard-earned assets from people seeking to “win the lottery” by spurious lawsuits against clients like doctors

or business owners.

Buckley Law has been in Colorado Springs since 1994. The business includes John and his wife Melinda, who is his legal administrator. “We are a team,” Melinda said.

“John’s clients like that we work together to meet their legal needs.”

After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Buckley flew fighters before returning to the Academy to teach political science and flying. He worked his way through Harvard Law — he admitted he knew President Obama there. He practiced international law and did business throughout the Persian Gulf for years after the first Gulf War in 1991.

John and Melinda Buckley believe in giving back to Colorado Springs. Melinda belongs to

P.E.O., a nonprofit that focuses on providing

funds for higher education to deserving women. John is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs. He serves as an advisor to the 4th Judicial District Veterans Trauma Court, is a Board Member of the Colorado Parkinson Foundation and serves on the boards of two faith-based charities helping secure health care for women in Liberia and provide sustainable development throughout the world.

Buckley offers a free hour consult for most prospective clients. Then, he designs a plan to meet the client’s goals. This process often allows Buckley Law to bill its work at a set fee rather than hourly. Give Buckley Law a call and see if its unique approach to legal problem-solving meets your needs. ◆ L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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Family First Marrison Law fights for rights in custody, divorce disputes

BY H A N N A H BL IC K , L E A D IN G L AW Y ER S • P H OT OS BY M A R K R EIS

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Paralegal Rex Marrison, attorneys Brenda L. Tellez, Nicole L. Bartell, Joseph A. Ditlow and Pat Marrison ABOVE: Rex and Pat Marrison

“We can help clients get through their case with grace and efficiency so they can get back to enjoying their children, homes and new opportunities.”

Marrison Family Law, LLC 225 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Phone: 719-577-9292 Fax: 719-632-6553 www.marrisonlaw.com

I

f anyone knows a thing or two about successful relationships, it’s attorney Pat Marrison. After 46 years in a strong marriage and raising three children and two stepchildren, the family law attorney brings decades of experience and sincere empathy for each of her clients to the table.

“I know what it’s like, the pain and the joy that families walk through,” she said.

“People who come to me are at some of the lowest points of their lives; I see my role as trying to better the lives of people who are unhappy in their relationships, so they can move on and become productive citizens again.”

Marrison Family Law is the largest local firm in Colorado Springs devoted exclusively to family law. From divorce to property division, Pat is well versed in the variety of legal issues families face. Her firm, Marrison Family Law, located at 225 E. Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, is especially passionate about adoption and child custody cases. “It’s so hard on the kids,” she said. “We try to be as understanding as possible and move them out of this tragic time and into a better future.” With more than 50 years combined experience, Pat and her team of capable attorneys, paralegals, and support staff fight for the rights of each family member, helping clients achieve the best possible outcome.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 L E A D I N G L AW Y E R S 2015

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Marrison Family Law, LLC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

FAMILY TIES Originally from the West Coast, Pat earned her law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law in 1977, and practiced in California for 14 years.

In 1990, Pat and her husband Rex Marrison, paralegal at Marrison Family Law, relocated to Colorado with their three children. “We chose Colorado Springs because we felt it was the best place for our family,” Pat said. “It’s beautiful and has plenty of cultural amenities, two universities, good people, and of course, the outdoors.”

Working in family law constantly reminds Pat of the importance of spending time with family. While her three children have pursued education and careers in architecture, engineering, and law outside of Colorado Springs, she believes the distance won’t last too long. “They are slowly making their ways back to Colorado Springs,” she said with a laugh. “This is a family town, a great place to raise children, which is why I so enjoy practicing law and serving the families here.”

While the legal experience Pat gained at large firms in Los Angeles has proven invaluable, Pat particularly appreciates the ethics and camaraderie of the family law bar in Colorado. “It’s like a whole different world out here,” she said. “Attorneys care about upholding the law and guiding families through the system. We can help clients get through their case with grace and efficiency so they can get back to enjoying their children, homes and new opportunities.”

Pat has followed a handful of families for years and seen clients meet new partners, raise children, and move into more hopeful lives. “They’ve survived and even thrived; many have truly become better people.”

EXPERT COUNSEL Marrison Family Law attorneys — including Brenda L. Tellez, Nicole L. Bartell, and Joseph A. Ditlow — practice throughout Southern Colorado, taking on cases of all sizes and difficulty levels. They serve families in Pueblo, Cañon City, Walsenburg, Cripple Creek and across Douglas and El Paso counties.

The firm’s team of paralegals and office support staff works to help families move quickly into the next phases of their lives.

“Too often, clients are engaged in battle instead of living life,” Pat said.

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“This is a family town, a great place to raise children, which is why I so enjoy practicing law and serving the families here.” division, Marrison Family Law attorneys bring in Certified Public Accountants and financial advisors to ensure assets are appropriately and fairly dispersed among their clients. This can become more complicated when one partner hides assets or is unfamiliar with the family finances. “It’s up to us to dig and find out what’s going on and navigate it for them,” Pat said.

Family law attorneys also face the difficult task of helping clients see soon-to-be-ex partners as valuable. “When we can help them stay calm and resist the temptation to strike out, it serves the entire family and the case,” Pat said. The attorneys consult local psychologists when it comes to challenging familial relationships, especially when cases involve youth. “I think we need to put a focus

on our children, they are our future,” Pat said. Marrison Family Law attorneys are also experienced in helping military members work through difficult family legal situations, with a solid understanding of military law.

The firm offers a 10-percent discount on services for military families.

Though she witnesses heartbreak every day in families torn apart by custody battles and divorce, Pat knows the part she plays in their journeys makes a difference.

“I don’t think we were put on this earth to have an easy time, but we become better and stronger with the challenges we are presented with,” she said. “We want to leave the world a better place because we’re here. That’s our role: making our clients’ lives better so they can contribute to society and move forward.” ◆

THE MOLLER LAW GROUP, LLC Helping You Map a Route Through Life’s Journey

Guiding You Through All of Life’s Legal Challenges Whatever your legal needs are, a knowledgeable guide can help you navigate the challenges that lie ahead. At The Moller Law Group, LLC, we are more than just lawyers; we are a team of experienced legal advisers and problem solvers.

We believe that family law matters, regardless of how large or small, are made easier with the careful, pragmatic, and results-oriented counsel that our firm provides. Our diverse practice areas allow us to understand a wide range of legal issues and respond to our clients’ needs with the right legal tools. With our advice and counsel, clients have the confidence to approach challenges and opportunities alike.

We are a full-service firm serving El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo counties. We represent clients in Family Law, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Probate, Business Law, and General Litigation matters.

William Moller, Attorney at Law

The Moller Law Group, LLC 429 S. Cascade Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903

18401 E. US Hwy 24 #122 Woodland Park, CO 80863

719.694.1284 | Toll free 866.765.0858 www.mollerlawgroup.com

•Criminal Defense •DUI/DWAI •Civil Litigation •Estate Planning •Probate Law •Personal Injury •On-going Estate Planning Seminars

Pre-register at www.Odle-Events.com Odle Law LLC is a full-service law firm in Colorado Springs, offering a variety of legal services led by the experienced and compassionate attorney Robert P. Odle.

If you need attentive representation, and lawyers who will fight for you, contact Odle Law today.

An Attorney You Can Trust

Robert P. Odle

Attorney at Law 25 years serving Colorado

121 South Tejon Street | Suite 900, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 | 719.559.4099