Mark S. Ratner

Member

Mark has over a quarter-century in litigation, trial, and administrative experience in both State and Federal venues.  His primary focus at Hall & Evans is on representation of public entities and law enforcement personnel, in federal civil rights matters brought pursuant to the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as in employment matters involving the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act as amended, and national origin discrimination claims brought pursuant to Title VII.

He has also represented Fortune 100 companies in administrative and investigatory matters with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Representation in front of these government agencies has been for charges of age, race, and disability discrimination, as well as claims of workplace harassment and hostile work environment.

Mark’s broad base of experience also includes bankruptcy, errors & omissions, insurance coverage opinions as well as representation of real estate appraisers and brokers in civil litigation and administrative matters in front of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Office of Banks and Real Estate (Illinois); representation of corporations in toxic tort exposure matters (asbestos, petrochemical, and lead paint); representation of homeowner associations under the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act, and; representation of automobile manufactures in litigation and arbitration proceedings, for claims made under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code.

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2007
  • Arizona, 1998
  • Illinois (inactive), 1997
  • Kansas (inactive), 2016
  • Michigan, 1994
  • U.S. Virgin Islands, 2020
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Location

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

Education

JD: Michigan State University School of Law, 1994, AmJur Award for Highest Grade in Agency & Partnership, Dean’s List
BA: Michigan State University, 1990, Political Science

Contact

ratnerm@hallevans.com

More About
Mark

Appeals
  • Exby-Stolley v. Board of County Commissioners, Weld County, Colorado, 906 F.3d 900 (10th Cir. 2018)

  • Felkins v. City of Lakewood, 774 F.3d 647; 31 Am.Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 15 (10th Cir.2014)

  • Van De Wege v. Chambers, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 12134 (10th Cir.2014)(unpublished)
  • Johnson v. ExxonMobil Corp., 426 F.3d 887, 96 Fail Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA 1171)(7th Cor.2005)
  • Kelley v. Carbone, 361 III.App. 477, 837 N.E.2d 438 (III.App.2nd Dist.2005)

Elizabeth K. Olson

Member

Ms. Olson has a diverse practice, including construction and design, premises liability, general casualty, contract disputes, commercial matters, product liability, and professional liability. She brings a unique perspective because of the wide range of disciplines in which she practices. Ms. Olson is responsible for developing the strategy for and handling cases from inception through trial. She has litigated cases in both state and federal courts in Colorado and Arizona and has brought successful resolution to cases through mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeals.  She is dedicated to providing the best service and achieving the best outcomes for her clients.

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona, 2008
  • Colorado, 2009
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

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

Education

JD: Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, 2008
BA: Rice University, 2002, Economics and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Contact

olsone@hallevans.com

More About
Elizabeth

Decisions

In addition to negotiating many favorable settlements, Ms. Olson’s accomplishments include:

  • Won summary judgment on behalf of tourist railroad as to personal injury claim based on back of ticket waiver.
  • Obtained full payment on mechanic’s lien claim for landscaping contractor.
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial representing apartment complex owner and manager in case involving alleged slip and fall on ice.
  • Won motion for determination of question of law on behalf of civil engineer limiting damages to $50,000 as to all claims in multimillion dollar construction defect case involving elementary school.
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of an apartment complex owner in premises liability case involving alleged slip and fall on hot tub stairs.
  • Won motions to dismiss on claims for unlawful detention; malicious prosecution; alleged violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act; negligence; intentional infliction of emotional distress; RICO violations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1961-68; over serving resulting in liability; defamation; and slander.
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2017-2020
  • CALI Award of Excellence in Philosophy of the Law
Appeals
  • Nasious v. Colo., 495 Fed. Appx. 899 (10th Cir. 2012)
  • Wagner v. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co., 569 Fed. Appx. 574 (10th Cir. 2014)
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “Shaping the Independent Tort Duty: When and to Whom Is One Owed?” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association Summer Conference, July 2016
  • Co-Author, “2015 Notable State and Municipal construction Defect Claim Reforms Aimed at Reducing Litigation and Promoting New Construction,” Under Construction the Newsletter of the ABA Forum on Construction Law, Vol. 17 No. 4
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Business & Community Service
  • Reading tutor with “Reading Partners” in the Denver Public Schools
  • Volunteer, Constitution Day, 2014

Thomas L. Beam

Of Counsel

Tom concentrates on complex litigation matters, including wrongful death, toxic tort, asbestos, insurance defense, and product liability. In addition, Tom has a particular emphasis on railroad litigation, including Federal Employers’ Liability Act (“FELA”) cases.

Tom joined the Law Firm of Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson & Endacott in 1987 and was made partner in 1991. While in Nebraska, he also served as Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy, Evidence and Civil Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Tom moved to Colorado in 1993 and served as Managing Partner of the Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson & Endacott Colorado Office. Tom joined Hall & Evans as a Special Counsel in March of 1999 and became a Member on October 1, 2000. Tom received his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska where he graduated with distinction. He was also the Managing Editor of the Nebraska Law Review and was selected for membership in the Order of Coif and Order of Barristers.

Tom is a frequent speaker at various Railroad Claims and Litigation Conferences and also made an appearance on the NBC Today Show.

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 1988
  • Nebraska, 1987
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Nebraska, School of Law, 1987
BA: University of Nebraska, 1978, Business Admin, Order of Coif and Order of Barristers

Contact

beamt@hallevans.com

More About
Thomas

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Railroad Law, 2025

  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

  • Managing Editor of Nebraska Law Review
Professional Associations
  • Nebraska State Bar Association

Gary L. Kuhn

Member

Gary Kuhn’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation where he handles professional and product liability defense in state and federal courts, as well as mediation and arbitration. Gary has substantial experience defending against construction claims in his representation of developers, contractors, architects, engineers, surveyors, and subcontractors. He has represented clients with contract disputes, mechanic’s lien claims, defective design and/or construction and land use issues including public and private easements and trespass claims.

Gary’s products liability practice centers on the defense of claims brought against product designers, manufacturers and suppliers related to the design and manufacturing of industrial, recreational, and outdoor equipment. Gary also serves as local counsel to out-of-state law firms seeking guidance and assistance litigating in Colorado courts.

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: Vermont Law School, 1999
MSEL: Vermont Law School, 1999, Environmental Law
BS: Indiana University, 1995, Environmental Science

Contact

kuhng@hallevans.com

More About
Gary

Professional Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • Colorado Bar Association
    • Construction Law Section
    • Environmental Law Section
    • Litigation Section
    • Natural Resource and Energy Law Section
  • Denver Bar Association