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

Ryan L. Winter

Member

Mr. Winter has a diverse litigation practice and represents a wide array of regional and national businesses. He has successfully defended hundreds of commercial and tort cases in state and federal court. A significant part of his practice focuses on large, complex tort cases, and his practice areas include sports and recreation law, product liability defense, professional liability defense, public entity defense, and premises liability defense.

Mr. Winter has served as the contact partner and supervising attorney on numerous high exposure, tort and commercial lawsuits, including cases involving allegations of wrongful death, brain injury, and other traumatic injuries. Mr. Winter is equally adept at defending cases in which the injuries are purely economic, as he has served as lead counsel on numerous multi-million dollar cases alleging property damage, design deficiencies, and construction defects. He has represented his clients as counsel in trials, appeals, arbitrations, and mediations. He has achieved defense verdicts, prevailed on appeals, and obtained summary judgment for his clients on a number of occasions. Mr. Winter tries to manage litigation efficiently while still obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2000
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Colorado School of Law, 2000, Editor of Journal
BA: Kansas State University, 1996, Political Science, Phi Beta Kappa and Honors Program

Contact

winterr@hallevans.com

More About
Ryan

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Personal Injury General: Defense, 2019-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Personal Injury Defense, 2011-2013
  • Judicial Clerkship with Justice Nancy E. Rice of the Supreme Court of Colorado
  • Internship with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office – Tort Division
Professional Associations
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Denver Chapter Vice President
  • ALFA International, Business Litigation Practice Group Steering Committee
  • Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa
ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS // PRESENTATIONS // WEBINARS

Mr. Winter is published and has received awards for his writing. He has lectured on a host of litigation related topics, and his speaking engagements include continuing legal education programs for attorneys. He has also lectured on a national stage to insurance claim professionals and general counsel for Fortune 500 companies.

Blog Posts About Ryan

Christopher D. Bryan

Member

Chris represents a variety of clients in matters involving premises liability, products liability, construction, professional liability, real estate and other general litigation matters, with a particular emphasis on hospitality and retail industries.   He is well-versed in all phases of litigation, and his trial and appellate experience includes conducting jury trials and appeals in Colorado, New York, and New Jersey.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans in 2011, Chris was an Associate at a large firm in New York City, where he also served as an approved mediator for the New York Courts, EEOC, and Safe Horizons Community Mediation Centers.  As a mediator, he conducted over 75 mediations covering a wide range of cases including: personal injury, employment, and disability discrimination, juvenile issues, landlord/tenant, creditor/debtor, construction, contracts, and various community or family-based disputes.  Chris has also completed more than 100 hours of mediation training including advanced training in domestic violence, divorce mediation, and cross-cultural issues.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2010
  • New Jersey, 2008
  • New York, 2009
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Location

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

Education

JD: Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, 2008
BA: Metropolitan State College of Denver, 2001, Journalism

Contact

bryanc@hallevans.com

More About
Christopher

Resume

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Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2017-2019
  • While a law student at Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, Chris was a member of one of the nation’s top-ranked Mediation Clinics, a Finalist in the 2006-2007 ABA Representation in Mediation Competition, and a Member of the Arts & Entertainment Law Journal.
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Foodservice Industry Risk Management Association
  • Colorado Restaurant Association
  • ALFA International
  • National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association
Blog Posts About Christopher

Timothy M. Murphy

Member

Tim is a native Coloradan with a diverse litigation practice and handles a variety of matters for individuals and business entities.  Tim’s practice is centered around construction law, environmental law, and transportation litigation. His legal experience also includes practice in the areas of premises liability, professional liability, FDPCA, contract disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Tim litigates cases in both state and federal court in Colorado and has experience in trials, arbitrations, and appeals. Tim’s professional focus is to manage litigation efficiently, provide practical legal advice, and obtain the best possible outcome for his clients.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2003
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2003
BA: University of Kansas, 2000, Environmental Science, Dean’s List

Contact

murphyt@hallevans.com

More About
Timothy

Resume

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2013-2018
Professional Experience

While a student at the University of Denver College of Law, Mr. Murphy worked for EarthJustice and assisted in the representation of clients concerning federal land management and litigation under federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Professional Associations
  • Colorado Creditor Bar Association
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars

Tim has authored sections on statutory employees, logo liability, and the validity of exculpatory agreements for the ALFA Transportation Compendium from 2008 to the present.

Business & Community Service
  • The Denver Foundation, Travis Kubiak Memorial Fund, Volunteer
  • Denver’s Road Home, Volunteer
  • Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
  • Big Dogs Huge Paws, Contributor
Blog Posts About Timothy

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