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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Brian L. Taylor

Member

Brian Taylor practices in our Billings, Montana office.  Mr. Taylor is a litigation attorney with a historically diverse practice.  His practice primarily focuses on civil defense where he has represented clients in a wide variety of cases including bad faith and product liability.  He also represents a number of insurance carriers in traditional insurance defense matters and insurance coverage issues.  His experience in the product liability field has covered a wide spectrum of self-insured automobile manufacturers and component part manufacturers. His experience representing automobile manufacturers includes a three-plus week trial in Great Falls, Montana involving a traumatic brain injury. 

Mr. Taylor’s litigation defense practice is centered in the field of transportation, insurance, medical malpractice, trucking, municipal entities, and product liability.  His experience in traditional insurance defense litigation includes property damage claims, personal injury claims, and larger construction defect lawsuits.  Mr. Taylor’s practice also includes representing many employers in employment related actions. Mr. Taylor has participated in numerous trials in both State and Federal Court throughout Montana.

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1997
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: Gonzaga University, 1997, magna cum laude
BA: Montana State University, 1994, Finance, With Honors

Contact

taylorb@hallevans.com

More About
Brian

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Judge Robert P. Goff Pro Bono Award, 2011
  • Served as Special Master for Judge Sandefur, Cascade County District Court, State of Montana
Professional Associations
  • Montana State Bar Association
  • Cascade County Bar Association
  • Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association
  • Montana State Bar, CLE Institute
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Yellowstone Area Bar Association
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
Decisions
  • GER v. Florence: Strict liability for dog bite claim, Missoula, Montana in 2020.
  • Niedermeyer v. Geyser Whitewater: Wrongful death and survivorship claims related to a whitewater rafting accident, Bozeman, Montana in 2018.
  • Tsohonis v. BNSF: FELA claim in Billings, Montana in 2014.
  • Brennan v. Ford Motor Corp. and Firestone: Products liability related to a tire de-tread in Great Falls, Montana. Matter was tried twice, first trial lasted 17 days.
  • Ray v. Connell, 371 P.3d 391: Obtained Summary Judgment which was upheld on appeal to the Montana Supreme Court in a case involving alleged libel and slander issues in 2016
  • Allison v. Farmer Brothers Co., 2018 WL 3609537: Obtained Summary Judgment in Federal Court in a wrongful discharge from employment matter in 2018.
  • Baker v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20571: Obtained Summary Judgment in Federal Court in a case involving long term disability benefits in 2016.
  • Sorlie v. City of Billings: Obtained Summary Judgment for the City of Billings, Montana on an alleged negligent building inspection claim in 2020.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority, Defense Counsel Summit, Helena, Montana, 2019
  • Speaker, “Montana Insurance Law,” American Hallmark Insurance, Fort Worth Texas, 2009
Business & Community Service
  • Former Board Member for the Cascade County Law Clinic, an organization devoted to providing pro bono legal representation to those in need
Professional Experience
  • Prior to joining Hall & Evans in 2013, Mr. Taylor was a partner at Jardine Stephenson, Blewett & Weaver in Great Falls, Montana.
Other Activities
  • Mr. Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife and two wonderful daughters. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, and soccer.