Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
(303) 730-3900
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J. Scott Lasater
Focus of Practice
Scott was licensed to practice law in Colorado in 1986 and established the law firm in 1993. Scott is a trial attorney, and has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts. Scott has litigated cases in every county in the state of Colorado and has tried jury trials in over half of the counties in Colorado.
Scott has extensive federal court experience and has tried a diverse range of federal cases, including discrimination and retaliation cases for the Town of Parker and the Town of Parker Police Department, and recently, the successful defense of a contentious trade mark infringement suit filed against a large manufacturer of juvenile care products headquartered in California. Scott has appeared before virtually all of the United States District Court Judges and Magistrate Judges, and he has argued in front of the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court and the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Scott has litigated dozens of employment and employment discrimination cases, and has successfully defended very favorable trial court outcomes on appeal. As an example, Scott successfully defended ATC/Vancom, a licensee of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in an employment discrimination suit, and successfully defended the case on appeal, which was reported in a published opinion by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Scott’s cases have been cited in a variety of employment law publications, and Scott has attended conferences of the National Law Employment Institute in cities such as San Francisco, California.
Scott has litigated and tried cases for many public entities, towns, cities and counties across the state. Scott and his firm have represented the Town of Vail in dozens of litigations, and Scott has successfully tried discrimination cases for the Town. Scott has represented law enforcement agencies all across the state, including the police departments for the Town of Vail, Town of Parker, Town of Craig, Town of Dacono and the Mesa and Moffat County Sheriff's departments.
Scott and his law firm represent and have represented some of the world's largest companies, including many global insurers, such as the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group and The Hartford. The firm is the on the preferred panel counsel list of numerous insurance companies. Scott has also represented some of Colorado’s largest and most successful companies, including a variety construction companies, contractors and joint ventures and product manufacturers. Scott and his law firm have over the years managed hundreds of millions of dollars in exposure to their clients.
In addition to municipalities, insurers and corporations, Scott has an active practice representing individuals who have been harmed, in cases ranging from discrimination to breach of contract to automobile accident injuries. Scott and his law firm recently successfully settled a large pregnancy discrimination suit against Liberty Media, one of the worlds largest providers of cable TV programming, recently settled a case the firm filed against the Marriott Hotel for negligent security, a case where the law firm's clients were brutally attacked in a guest room and recently settled a tragic medical malpractice action that resulted in the unnecessary death of a cardiac patient. In the past few years Scott and his firm have collected several million dollars just for residents of Highlands Ranch, in Douglas County, Colorado.
Scott has years of experience in litigating brain injury, spinal injury and death claims. Scott has also represented health care providers and attorneys in professional liability actions, corporations forming joint ventures and involved in intellectual property disputes, product liability claims involving a range of products from insecticide and asbestos to hot-tubs, and has represented several construction companies and subcontractors, including those involved in the fire protection industry.
Scott and his wife Gail are both Colorado natives, met 29 years ago at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and they have lived in Highlands Ranch since 1987. They have three children.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1986
- Bachelor of Science: Colorado State University, 1983
- Major: Economics
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court, District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Denver Bar Association
- Colorado Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Special Distinctions
- International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi, Past President, Merit Award
- University of the Pacific Gary V. Schaber Scholarship
- Colorado State University, Department of Economics, Academic Achievement
- American Bar Association
- Vice Chairman, Health Care
- Law Committee
- YLD Liaison, Section on Science And Technology
Frequent Speaker in the areas of:
- Commercial Litigation;
- Municipal Liability;
- Employment Law; and
the Colorado litigation environment.
Janet Belcher Martin
Focus of Practice
Janet was licensed to practice law in 1989 and began her legal career by clerking for the Texas Court of Appeals for the Second Judicial District. Following her clerkship, she immediately began a very active civil litigation practice in Texas. Janet’s seventeen year legal career includes being licensed in both Texas and Colorado and she has been a resident of and practicing in Colorado for many years. Janet became a partner in the firm in 2004.
Janet has litigated a wide range of cases and handles complex product liability, construction defect and injury claims for the firm. Janet heads the construction defect section of the law firm, and manages tens of millions of dollars in exposure to the law firm’s clients. Janet represents general contractors and architects and a large mix of subcontractors, from framers to roofers to graders. Janet also represents Fortune 500 companies and individuals involved in complex litigation.
Janet recently tried a complex commercial injury case involving numerous local and out of state medical experts and specialists to a Denver jury. Without calling a single retained medical expert, Janet and her partner Scott Lasater obtained a defense verdict. The plaintiff had demanded a settlement during trial of two million dollars. Janet obtained a cost judgment against the plaintiff of over twenty thousand dollars.
Janet manages the firm’s associates and supervises the handling of over half of the firm’s litigation. Janet actively litigates large, complex product liability suits and commercial injury matters of all types. Janet has extensive experience in the state and federal courts throughout Colorado and Texas.
In addition to Janet’s trial experience, she has extensive appellate experience, and is experienced with alternative dispute resolutions and arbitrations. She has also served as a mediator on various types of civil litigation.
Janet lives with her husband and children in Littleton, Colorado.
Education
- Juris Doctor: St Mary's University School of Law
- Bachelor of Arts: University of Texas at San Antonio - Magna Cum Laude
- Major: Psychology
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- State of Texas
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
- Northern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals
- 10th Circuit
- 5th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- Texas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
Nicole Ruth
Focus of Practice
Nicole graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1996 where she was ranked in the top third of her class. After practicing law in both Florida and North Carolina, Nicole moved to Colorado. She maintains her license to practice law in the Florida and North Carolina state courts as well as the Colorado state and federal courts.
Nicole began her legal career as an attorney law clerk for the Honorables Ralph A. Walker, Donald L. Smith and Clarence E. Horton of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Nicole has established herself as an appellate specialist having written hundreds of appellate opinions for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Before the Colorado Court of Appeals, Nicole has successfully argued a complex UCC case representing one of the largest corporations in the world and has successfully argued other District Court decisions in both federal and state courts. In addition to her appellate practice, Nicole has taken several cases to trial with successful results.
Nicole became an associate at Lasater & Martin, P.C. in 2004 where she continues to specialize in appellate practice. Recently, she was successful in having a $200,000 judgment reversed against one of her clients. Nicole also handles personal injury and product liability cases and has substantial prior experience in insurance defense.
Nicole is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, Southern Colorado Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, and North Carolina Bar Association. She is also the former president of the Tulane University Alumni Club for Denver. Nicole has given seminars on legal research for paralegals and stays busy taking care of her two children.
Education
- Juris Doctor: Wake Forest University School of Law
- Bachelor of Arts: Tulane University - Cum Laude
- Major: English
Bar Admission
- State of North Carolina
- State of Florida
- State of Colorado
Professional Associations
- North Carolina State Bar Association
- The Florida Bar Association
- The Colorado Bar Association
Stacy Spurlock
Focus of Practice
Stacy has served as a legal intern with the 18th Judicial District working in Littleton County Court and has substantial experience in insurance law. She has handled a wide range of auto accident litigation and related issues under the No-Fault Act, breach of contract cases, landlord-tenant disputes, fraudulent conveyances and product liability. Stacy has tried cases to juries and judges in both county and district court.
Stacy was named Student Attorney of the Year for the University of Denver College of Law Student Law Office. She was a member of the ABA trial team for two years and actively involved in moot court.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Denver College of Law
- Bachelor of Arts: University of Colorado – Magna Cum Laude
- Major: Sociology
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court, District of Colorado (pending)
Professional Affiliations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
Melissa Ogburn
Focus of Practice
After graduating from New Mexico State University in 2000 with a Bachelor in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts from a major in government and a supplemental major in law and society, Melissa moved to Denver to attend law school at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. While in law school, Melissa chaired the DU Law School Division of the American Bar Association and served as Survey Editor for the University of Denver Journal of International Law and Policy. One of Melissa’s articles was selected to be published in the Journal. Her article, "Caught Between Hope and Despair: An Analysis of the Japanese Criminal Justice System," can be found in Volume 31 No. 4 of the Journal.
Melissa also pursued several clerkships and internships while in law school. During her second year of law school, Melissa interned at Samsonite as in-house counsel. There, she honed her skills in reviewing and drafting contracts. As her Samsonite internship drew to a close, Melissa pursued a clerkship with a small law firm in the Capitol Hill area of Denver, Zupkus & Angell, P.C. While clerking, Melissa learned the intricacies of private practice, specializing in defending construction defect claims. During her last semester of law school, Melissa interned at the National Labor Relations Board, gaining experience in employment and labor law. Melissa met with claimants and took statements to initiate investigations.
Melissa graduated from DU in 2003 and began her career in private practice at the law firm of Zupkus & Angell, P.C. There she gained valuable experience in preparing coverage opinions for various insurance companies, defending bad faith lawsuits, and representing subcontractors in construction defect litigation. Melissa also represented employers in unemployment hearings. To date, Melissa has never lost at an unemployment hearing and continues to practice employment law today. In 2005, Melissa organized and presented at a seminar regarding insurance matters and legal malpractice. In 2007, Melissa left Zupkus & Angell, P.C. to pursue a career at Wells, Anderson & Race, LLC where she practiced some aviation law and continued to defend subcontractors against claims for construction defects.
Melissa joined Lasater & Martin, P.C. as an associate in April 2008. Her experience in construction defect litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith matters, as well as employment law makes her an asset to this firm. She is an integral part of the construction defect department and handles cases valued at over $10 million. Melissa has taken two cases to trial, both resulting in a favorable result for her client.
Melissa also stays active in the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, and Denver Bar Association. In 2005, Melissa was selected to serve on the executive counsel of the Colorado Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. She served as Chair of the Colorado Bar Association Young Lawyers Division from July 2007 through June 2008. Melissa currently serves on the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors and Executive Council as a representative of the Denver Bar Association.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and son. The Ogburn family can often be found skiing, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Denver College of Law 2003
- Bachelor of Arts: New Mexico State University
- Major: Government
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court, District of Colorado
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
Barton Maxwell
Focus of Practice
Barton Maxwell has been a practicing attorney in Colorado for over twenty years. A native Texan, Barton transplanted to Colorado to attend college at Colorado State University. After graduating in 1986 with a major in psychology and minor in political science, Barton attended law school at the University of Denver College of Law, graduating in 1989. While at law school, Barton participated in several moot court competitions, the nationally recognized Student Law Office and Transportation Law Journal. Barton has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 1989. Early in his career, Barton defended PIP cases, and later, employers in workers’ compensation cases. Barton tried hundreds of compensation cases, and handled numerous appeals before the Industrial Claims Appeals Office. Barton has been a trial attorney his whole career defending claims brought against his clients. He has handled numerous trials before several jurisdictions in Colorado. He is experienced in premises liability, property damage, personal injury, auto accidents, and employment law.
In one case, Barton was a member of the litigation team defending environmental pollution claims involving volatile organic compounds and chlorinated solvents brought by 2000 individual plaintiffs against two corporate defendants. The plaintiffs claimed damages of over $270,000,000. After a three month trial in the Denver District Court, the jury returned a defense verdict for Barton’s client.
Barton has also handled cases before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and numerous appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals and United States Court of Appeals, 10th Judicial Circuit. Barton is also experienced in handling construction defect cases. Barton has defended general contractors and subcontractors in construction defect cases throughout the state. The cases have involved multi-million dollar claims based on development wide defects alleged in multi-family construction, single family, and commercial buildings.
Outside the practice of law, Barton is an avid reader of history and literature, and an exercise and sports enthusiast participating in mixed martial arts, snow skiing, and golf. Barton has twin children, Rachael and Nicholas, who are both straight A honor students, and 2nd degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do. Wife, Anne, is an avid kickboxer, and more than capable of keeping the family in line.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Denver College of Law
- Bachelor of Science: Colorado State University
- Major: Psychology and Minor in Political Science
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals
- 10th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Michael Haskins
Focus of Practice
Mike comes to Lasater & Martin, P.C. from a broad business background. Prior to joining Lasater & Martin, he has negotiated contracts between MCI/Worldcom, Florida Power & Light, Equifax, Transunion, UPS, United States Postal Service, Florida Bureau of Investigations, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, The Children’s Hospital and many more. The success of these agreements has always been a direct result of his ability to find the best result for everyone involved.
In 2009, Michael joined Lasater & Martin, P.C. Mike’s practice is primarily focused on defending the rights of construction professionals in construction related matters. He has defended claims arising from the construction of multi-family, single-family and commercial developments valued in the tens of millions of dollars. He also represents the interests of wronged property owners and pursues the means to make these property owners whole again. The property at issue ranges from a single-family residence to a large civic project on the behalf of a governmental entity
Mike graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1998 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law in 2006. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, Denver Bar Association and American Bar Association. In 2010, Mike was elected to sit on the GVR Special Metropolitan District Board of Directors.
Michael is a devoted husband and father and enjoys spending time with his family camping, hiking, fishing or just going for a walk in the neighborhood. When not spending time with his family, Michael is an avid sports fan and a terrible golfer.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
- Bachelor of Science: Northern State University
- Major: Business
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Philip Karagozian
Focus of Practice
Philip graduated from the University of Michigan in 2005 with a B.A. in Economics. Philip then moved to Colorado to attend the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law on an academic scholarship. Philip became licensed to practice law in State of Colorado and the U.S. District of Colorado in 2008.
Philip began his legal career at a small private law firm and was primarily focused in criminal defense including successful participation in both felony and misdemeanor trials. Philip also appeared frequently in the U.S. Immigration Court defending non-resident clients in deportation and removal proceedings. Philip gained further meaningful experience by assisting in the initiation of several civil lawsuits concerning civil rights violations by local governmental entities.
Philip joined Lasater and Martin, P.C. in 2009, mainly practicing in personal injury defense while occasionally appearing for clients in criminal matters. In addition, Philip had made several forays into other arenas including construction defect and breach of contract disputes.
Originally a Michigan native, Philip has resided in Colorado since 2005 and currently lives in Denver. When not in the office, Philip is usually enjoying the Colorado outdoors pursuing his passions for snow skiing and rock climbing.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of Denver, Sturm College of Law 2008
- Bachelor of Arts: University of Michigan 2005
- Major: Economics
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
Randy Sego
Focus of Practice
Randy is an experienced trial attorney with more than 20 years of practice in the State of Colorado. After graduating in the top 10% of his class at Valparaiso University School of Law, Randy began his professional legal career in Colorado as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Charles D. Pierce of the Colorado Court of Appeals. This highly respected judicial clerkship position allowed Randy to hone his legal research and writing skills, having drafted many published opinions.
After concluding his clerkship in 1988, Randy began his career as a trial attorney and has litigated numerous types of cases, including cases involving environmental contamination and cleanup, employment discrimination, commercial transactions, landlord-tenant, premises liability, products liability, construction defect, motor vehicle collisions and more. Randy has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Colorado courts and the rules of civil procedure, having conducted successful court and jury trials in both state and federal courts in Colorado. In addition to the court systems, Randy has conducted successful arbitrations and mediations in Colorado as well.
Randy also has appeared before various appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court, where he briefed the Court on a significant matter related to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Randy was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court Bar in 1990.
Randy has represented a variety of clients, including individuals, as well as companies of all sizes. Some of his clients have been Fortune 500 companies litigating complex, multi-party matters involving billions of dollars. Other cases involved less money, but were equally as important to Randy and his clients.
Prior to law school, Randy was an accomplished swimmer, having competed internationally and received the high honor and designation of All-American, awarded to him by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Randy set a high school swim team record in 1979 that stood for nearly 20 years. Randy also excelled academically in college and was named frequently to the Dean’s List.
In law school, Randy continued his academic success and graduated in the top 10% of his class. Randy was awarded the Wesemann Academic Scholarship, and was selected to the Moot Court Team and the Mock Trial Team to compete nationally against other law schools. Randy also was selected to the Valparaiso University Law Review, where he served as the Business Editor.
Randy grew up in Pueblo, Colorado, where he still visits frequently to see friends. His family currently lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where his children are active in school and sports
Education
- Juris Doctor: Valparaiso University School of Law, 1986
- Bachelor of Arts: Western State College, 1983
- Double Major: Business Administration and Economics
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals
- 10th Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
Brian Martin
Focus of Practice
Brian is a former law clerk to Judges Ruckriegle and Lass in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District. Since serving as a clerk, Brian has dedicated his practice to civil litigation. He has litigated a vast number of cases involving personal injury, construction defect, product liability, property rights, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and fiduciary responsibilities. Brian successfully tried the first case in the country which addressed the prohibition of smoking in a condominium association. The case is frequently cited by advocates for a smoke-free environment. Most recently, he successfully defended a racial discrimination claim brought against a homeowner association and its board members.
In addition, Brian has successfully represented parties in numerous state and federal administrative proceedings. Further, Brian has handled matters in federal court involving discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract claims.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Brian worked for his father’s construction company and family restaurant. He met his wife, Monica, in Colorado. They happily reside in Highlands Ranch with their two beautiful daughters.
Education
- Juris Doctorate – Capital University Law School
- Bachelor of Arts: Michigan State University
- Major: Humanities Pre-Law.
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Douglas/Elbert County Bar Association
April Moore
Focus of Practice
April graduated from University of California School of Law in 2006 where she was ranked in the top half of her class. She was licensed to practice law in Colorado in 2006 and has litigation experience in both state and federal courts. She has litigated cases before district and county court judges in multiple counties in Colorado. She has also litigated more than 75 hearings before Administrative Law Judges in venues throughout Colorado.
She joined Lasater and Martin, P.C. in 2010 as a member of the insurance defense litigation team. Prior to joining Lasater and Martin, P.C., April was employed as in house counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company where she specialized in civil litigation and workers’ compensation. While working for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, April obtained multiple successful appellate verdicts in workers’ compensation law.
April enjoys camping, hiking, and skiing with her family. Additionally, she enjoys training in martial arts and currently holds a gold belt in Bushido Karate.
Education
- Juris Doctor: University of California Los Angeles, 2006
- Bachelor of Arts: California State University, Northridge, 2001 - Magna Cum Laude
- Major: Psychology
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
Professional Associations
Sharon Weikel
Focus of Practice
Sharon Weikel practices primarily in the area of complex construction defect litigation. Her practice includes construction defect, contract, insurance, real estate and commercial litigation cases and business entity law. She has in house corporate experience having served in the law department of Biosearch, a publicly traded medical products corporation. In the past she has represented the municipality of Union City, New Jersey defending civil rights cases against police officers, wrongful termination cases and highly publicized, politically charged matters.
She has represented major businesses including the Hollywood Palace Nightclub and 1-800-Dentist in California. She successfully defended a medical malpractice case against a New Jersey public community action corporation. Sharon defended personal injury, death and arsen cases while working at Royal Insurance’s house counsel office in New Jersey.
She has served as a member of the Board of Directors the Denver Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association and the Hudson County New Jersey Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy, non-profit corporations. She was a Colorado licensed Real Estate Broker and Realtor.
In addition to Sharon´s active trial practice she is a wife and mother.
Education
- Juris Doctor: Seton Hall University School of Law, 1983
- Bachelor of Arts: Rutgers College, Rutgers University, 1983
- Major:
Bar Admission
- State of Colorado
- United States District Court
- District of Colorado
- District of California
- District of New Jersey
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
- The Blue Goose
Lorna Horton
Bio to come.
Focus of Practice
Education
Bar Admission
Professional Associations