The Werge Law crew headed out of the city for some quality team building and bonding in the mountains. Our 2nd annual ski day was a great way to end the work week and connect with new faces that have joined the team recently. We were all smiles while hitting the slopes at A-Basin, enjoying five inches of fresh powder, and some amazing weather. Joined by our friends from Sequoia Legal and Signal Law, we were able to track everybody down in time to have a great lunch together at the lodge. With refreshed minds and strengthened relationships, we are happy to get back to the great work of representing our wonderful clients.
Werge Law Obtains Dismissal and Award of Attorney Fees /
Werge Law has prevailed in obtaining a complete dismissal of a negligence lawsuit brought against our small business client -- a drug testing facility. An ex-spouse, embroiled in a family law dispute, brought their child to be drug tested for potential exposure to marijuana. After the test results came back positive, the ex-spouse filed for sole custody. Subsequently, the plaintiff filed suit against the facility and laboratory, alleging negligence for a "false positive" -- based on the theory the plaintiff was feeding his child CBD-infused honey on his breakfast cereal.
Werge Law moved for dismissal, and obtained the same, on the basis that the client did not owe any legal duties to the plaintiff. And because the case was outright dismissed, Werge Law also successfully received an award of attorney fees for its client.
Small businesses face many challenges, and when those include contentious disputes and litigation, Werge Law is here to help our clients solve these difficult problems.
Werge Law Prevails in Successive Spurious Lien Actions /
Sometimes overly aggressive parties file documents with the county clerk and recorder to either prevent real property from being sold or to transfer interests to themselves. But in 1997, the Colorado legislature passed a law to deal with just this type of situation. The Spurious Lien Statute provides an expedited procedure to remove invalid liens and documents. See C.R.S. sec. 38-35-201 et seq.
Werge Law represented a limited liability company that owns agricultural property in Southeastern Colorado. Following a dispute over a related cannabis business, a disgruntled former associate filed a certificate of authority and a quitclaim deed purporting to transfer the property to himself. Werge Law filed a spurious lien petition on behalf of its client, and following a hearing, obtained a decree nullifying the deed, and transferring title back to its client with an award of attorney fees. See Sunlife AG v. Peterson, No. 2019CV30000 (Colo. Dist. Crowley, Jan. 24, 2019).
Separately, Werge Law represented the owner of land and gold mining interests in and around Cripple Creek, Colorado. The client entered into an agreement to sell the land and to share in the proceeds with a debt collection company. However, when the client finally found a buyer, the debt collection company decided it wanted the property itself and filed a lis pendens to prevent the third-party sale. Werge Law filed a spurious lien petition on behalf of its client, and following an evidentiary hearing, the Court directed the debt collection company to release the lis pendens, and entered an award of attorney fees against it. See High Country Dreams v. New Falls Corporation, No. 2019CV30064 (Colo. Dist. Teller, Sep. 13, 2019).
Fraudsters beware: filing invalid documents impacting real property rights can result in serious consequences against you. And if you are dealing with a situation involving an allegedly improperly liened property, or any other matter involving disputes between small businesses or individuals, Werge Law is here to assist.
Werge Receives AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell /
Werge Law attorney Tom Werge has been awarded the AV Preeminent Rating from Matindale-Hubbell, given for the highest level of professional excellence and legal ethics for attorneys. Martindale-Hubbell’s ratings take into consideration attorney-peer reviews to develop a comprehensive rating of an attorney. Reviews are submitted anonymously when individuals are asked to rate attorney based off of a new of categories including communication ability, responsiveness, quality of service and value for money. These ratings are intended to allow clients to asses attorneys with honest reviews received by attorneys and clients. Tom is honored to be A/V peer rated, and looks forward to continuing to provide the clients of Werge Law with outstanding legal services.
Cheers to Four Years! /
The Werge Law team recently got together outside of the office for an end-of-the-summer barbecue. We celebrated a successful season with summer associate Bri Champ, who is now returning to CU Law to finish her final year of law school. And this time of year also marks the fourth anniversary of the date Tom Werge started his independent legal practice, after leaving Denver’s largest litigation-only firm. We are proud to continue our practice, focused on representing small businesses and individuals, especially in navigating disputes and litigation-related matters. We look forward to continuing to help our clients achieve their goals for years to come.
Werge Law Takes on the Colorado Bar Association! /
Thomas Werge
Daniel Williams
On July 1, 2019, Werge Law attorneys Tom Werge and Dan Williams assumed new leadership roles within the Colorado Bar Association. Tom is the new chair of the Solo Small Firm Practice section. While Dan Williams is on the executive council for the Entertainment & Sports Law section. We are excited to see all that Tom and Dan will accomplish for the bar in their new positions.
Werge Law Welcomes Summer Associate Brianna Champ /
Werge Law is excited to welcome Summer Associate Brianna Champ!
Bri just completed her second year of law school at the University of Colorado Law School. She spent last summer a few blocks away, as a law clerk at the Office of Administrative Courts. She brings a wide variety of legal and life experiences to the firm, including work as a student attorney for the Colorado Law Criminal Defense Clinic and the Acequia Project (working in water law in the San Luis valley). Bri grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and attended University of Colorado for undergraduate where she majored in International Affairs and Spanish & Portuguese Language. In her free time, Bri enjoys rock climbing and reading books unrelated to the practice of law.
We look forward to continuing to serve our clients this summer, with Bri’s help!
Colorado Supreme Court Recognizes Werge Law for Pro Bono Work /
The Colorado Supreme Court recently recognized 100 lawyers and law firms, including Werge Law, for participation in, and satisfaction of, the Pro Bono Pledge. The program encourages the provision of legal assistance to individuals and organizations of limited means at no charge. Each year, Werge Law commits itself to providing at least 50 hours of pro bono work to qualifying individuals and organizations. The firm's dedication to pro bono work is consistent with its mission to provide small businesses and individuals with access to high quality legal services.