Steve Phillips Email & Phone Number

My practice focuses on insurance coverage matters and civil defense litigation. My coverage work encompasses a broad section of commercial and personal liabilities and losses, including personal injury and construction defect claims, as well as matters as diverse as pollution and satellite piracy. My litigation practice specializes in complex construction defect, bad faith, commercial disputes, personal injury, and general tort defense work. I pride myself on the efficient and effective management of each file, as well as a comprehensive approach to my clients' needs - whether the factual and legal nuances at the heart of coverage work or the thorough attention necessary to carry litigated matters through to a successful outcome. Some of my significant representations include a full defense verdict with an award of attorney fees in a seven-figure arbitration against a national builder-vendor who brought suit under the reduced burden of proof created by Colorado's "Burlington Northern Rule" and the walk-away settlement of a seven-figure bad faith case in the state jurisdiction least hospitable to my client.

Denver, Colorado, Us

Entire practice dedicated to insurance coverage and civil litigation. Coverage work includes commercial losses and personal liability, with broad experience ranging from construction issues to diverse claims involving pollution and satellite piracy. Litigation work includes a focus on complex litigation, with specialization in construction defect, bad faith, breach of contract, and tort defense work. Efficiently and effectively supervises and manages all aspects of litigation, from intakes and client reporting through discovery, ADR, and trial advocacy. Significant representations include a full defense verdict with an award of attorney fees in a seven-figure arbitration against a national builder-vendor and a walk-away settlement while defending a seven-figure case in the state jurisdiction least hospitable to my client.

– Specialization in construction defect, insurance coverage, subrogation, and premises liability issues. Responsible for management of full litigation caseload in complex civil litigation matters, including client reporting, pleadings, discovery, depositions, alternative dispute resolution, and trial/arbitration. First-chaired defense in a construction defect trial. Recognized for leading independent effort to develop firm-wide attorney resource improvements and professional development of new associates, as well as maintaining outstanding working relationships with support staff.

Responsible for civil defense/plaintiff representation in complex construction defect, premises liability, bad faith, and other litigation in state and federal courts. Conducted analysis of commercial insurance coverage issues and drafting of coverage opinions, reservations of rights, and coverage position correspondence. Substantial experience in multiparty litigation, including representation of general contractors and prosecution of third-party claims.

Developed manuscript exploring the impact of a lack of critical thinking in the United States, and its impact on domestic politics/foreign policy. Participated in internal investigation of stock option backdating at prominent publicly held company and conducted electronic discovery in nine-figure commercial dispute.

Austin, Tx, Us

Created and oversaw trademark licensing policy and pursued hundreds of intellectual property offenses, consistently reducing infringements; successfully resolved every single offense favorably and without litigation. Discovered potential multimillion-dollar legal problem, analyzed business issues at risk, briefed executive staff, and created/implemented preventive policies. Prepared correspondence and memoranda for general counsel, CEO and President. Exercised superb relational skills to cultivate relations with franchisees, induce compliance with contracts, resolve contract defaults, and retain profitable franchises. Negotiated contracts for services and leases under tight deadlines. Promoted from position as Legal Intern (May 2003 to December 2004).

Represented indigent clients in family law/domestic violence cases. Prepared appellate brief winning full reversal with orders, successfully avoiding remand in area of law where every precedent case in the State had been returned to the trial court for further hearing. Commended for client counseling skills while advising a client with history of mental illness. Received highest marks despite simultaneous full-time professional internship and full academic load.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Theology