Family Law

• Divorce
  Jennifer is a member of the Family Law Section of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, the Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals, and the Metropolitan Denver Interdisciplinary Committee. She is also a past board member of the out of Court Divorce Center and the Board of the Littleton Historical Museum.
• Child Support
  Child support — Your children are entitled to support from both parents. Generally, a noncustodial parent will pay child support to a custodial parent. Courts must follow legal guidelines for basic child support, but they have discretion to order payments that maintain children at the standard of living they would have enjoyed if not for the divorce.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Jennifer prides herself on focusing on her clients’ needs, developing personalized solutions that help them navigate difficult situations such as divorce and child custody. Jennifer provides expert guidance and compassionate advice to individuals during an emotional and life-changing time. Jennifer provides a clear, efficient and reasoned approach to help clients move through the divorce process in a supportive way.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  Marital agreements — We negotiate, draft, and review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for parties who want to protect their separate property in the event of divorce.
• Spousal Support
  Alimony — The court examines all relevant factors to determine whether it is appropriate for one spouse to support the other for a limited or extended period of time.
• Legal Separation
  Cheryl practices in the area of domestic relations. She understands that going through a divorce is difficult and approaches every case with the client’s best interest as her main focus.  Her work in family law matters includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, pre-marital agreements, post-nuptial agreements, parenting time issues (custody), child support, drafting and reviewing marital agreements, high conflict matters, high asset cases and modifications of orders and agreements. Cheryl litigates complex matrimonial and family law matters while putting the client’s goals and needs first. Every effort is made to achieve resolution never losing sight of the fact that some matters may require judicial intervention.
• Annulment
  RWO provides skilled representation for the dissolution of marriage. We advise clients on their options — divorce, simplified divorce, legal separation, annulment — and the different processes for achieving their goals, such as traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative divorce. Colorado is strictly a no-fault divorce state, so petitioners do not allege marital misconduct as grounds for dissolution. However, no-fault divorce is not the same thing as uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is one where the parties arrive at a complete marital settlement agreement, which they present to the court for approval. If the parties cannot reach a settlement, any outstanding issues are set for trial and the divorce becomes contested.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Bill Rapson’s practice focuses primarily on litigation and arbitration matters and includes securities work, insurance matters, and a wide variety of other kinds of cases, including representation of both plaintiffs and defendants. He brings decades of wisdom to assist his clients in a career that started at Stanford Law School and has included service as Chief Trial Deputy in the Denver District Attorney’s Office. His practice ranges from small traffic matters to major civil and criminal matters and is very broad in scope.
• Fraud
• Theft
• Homicide
  During law school, Gianna served as a Staff Editor and the Articles Editor for the Sports and Entertainment Law Journal. She also interned for the State of Colorado Office of the Public Defender in the Adult Homicide and Juvenile divisions and volunteered for Metro Volunteer Lawyers.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Kelly Matthews focuses her practice in the areas of general corporate and commercial law – with an emphasis on banking and credit finance transactions, venture capital and angel financing transactions and representation of privately held companies (for-profit and non-profit). Kelly’s banking and credit financing practice includes representation of banks and other lender clients in commercial lending transactions, acquisition financing and debt restructuring as well as representation of borrower clients in various financing transactions. Kelly’s general corporate and emerging technology practice includes serving as strategic counsel to privately held companies, with a focus on capital raising, business operations and corporate governance matters. Kelly also serves as investor counsel in preferred stock and convertible debt financing transactions.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  Mr. Bartholomew has represented numerous startup and emerging companies in manufacturing, service and technology-driven industries.  At Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C., his clients’ transactions include private and public equity offerings, venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, licensing of intellectual property and joint ventures. Jeff is a member of the American, Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and is co-chair of the Denver Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society.
• Business Formation
  Formation — We assist startups with all aspects of business formation, including choice of entity; ownership, partnership and shareholder agreements; taxation planning; corporate bylaws; company handbooks; licensing and permitting.
• Business Disputes
  Kelly is a member of the Colorado Bar Association (including its Business Law Section) and the Denver Bar Association.
• Business Transactions
  Business transactions (including business entity formations; purchases and sales of businesses; and contract drafting, negotiation and review)
• Limited Liability Companies
  Paul Timmins has over 25 years of experience representing clients in connection with a wide variety of real estate transactions and land use matters. His experience includes representation of developers in all phases of the development process, from land acquisition through annexation, zoning, development agreements, subdivision, preparation of CCRs, marketing, construction, and sales in connection with projects ranging in size from large master planned communities to individual residential and mixed use condominium projects. Paul has also represented purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and sale of residential and commercial properties of all types, lenders and borrowers in loan transactions and loan workouts, landlords and tenants in connection with various office, retail, restaurant and ground leases, and joint venture parties in connection with documentation of joint venture arrangements, including partnerships and limited liability companies.
• Construction Contracts
  Louise Betcher Staab’s practice focuses on commercial leasing for both landlords and tenants, including the preparation and negotiation of complex long-term ground leases as well as office, retail and industrial leases including multi-tenant and single tenant triple net projects. Additionally, Louise represents commercial landlords in matters related to owning, managing and operating their properties, such as the preparation and negotiation of management agreements, broker listing agreements, service contracts, construction contracts and telecommunications licenses. Further, she works with developers and building owners on the financing of their properties and the acquisition and disposition of real estate holdings including office buildings, hotels, apartment complexes and vacant land.
• Trade Secrets
  Trademarks and other intellectual property are a key part of franchising. RWO has a full-service trademark, copyright and trade secret protection practice. Our attorneys in this practice area have a broad base of litigation and transaction experience and understand the techniques available for protecting the value of trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets for both established companies and startup organizations.  RWO’s trademark, copyright and trade secret practice group attorneys routinely handle domestic and international disputes and are well versed in arbitration procedures.
• Intellectual Property
  Intellectual property (such as U.S. and international trademark registration; copyright registration; protection of intellectual property rights; and intellectual property licensing).
• Unfair Competition
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
  As a member of RWO’s employment practice group, Juli E. Lapin advises local and regional businesses in the complexities of employment law.  She develops policies and practices that fit their business needs, protect them from potential claims, and are fair to their employees.  Juli also represents employers and employees in negotiating executive contracts, evaluating separation agreements and covenants not to compete. She counsels individuals and companies regarding employment-related claims, such as discrimination, harassment, and wrongful discharge. As an advocate Juli represents clients in agency hearings, court proceedings, and in appeals. Her representation of both employers and employees allows her to look at legal issues from all sides and give balanced advice and representation to her clients.
• Employment Discrimination
  Michelle has extensive legal experience in the public and private sector. As a result of her varying areas or practice, she also has extensive trial and hearing experience. She has represented private companies, insurance carriers, individuals, and other entities in the defense of employment discrimination claims, unemployment claims, wage and hour claims, contract disputes, and general liability matters. Michelle provides consultant services for private companies in the areas of risk management and employment law. She also provides management training on a variety of topics.
• Employment Contract
  Employment law and employee relations (such as preparation or revision of employee manuals; preparation of employment agreements and independent contractor agreements; and advising employers and employees on employment law and policies, employment terminations and covenants against competition)
• Non-compete Agreement
  Transactions — We provide precise contract development and review services for all your business needs, including financing and lines of credit, executive compensation, noncompete agreements, buy-sell agreements, leases on property and equipment, and commercial contracts.
• Severance Agreement
  For employers, we offer employee handbook drafting and review; preparation of employment policies, employment agreements, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and severance agreements; advice concerning employee problems and litigation avoidance.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Nick is a Shareholder in the firm’s litigation practice group. Nick has experience in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, with a focus on business, franchise, antitrust, trademark and real estate disputes. Nick has represented individuals and companies in state and federal court, as well as before the Trial Trademark and Appeal Board.
• Construction Litigation
  Sam John is an Associate in the business litigation group at Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, PC. Prior to joining RWO, Sam worked in the New Jersey office of a national litigation firm where he achieved numerous litigation successes at the trial and appellate level, including successfully arguing several appeals before the New Jersey Appellate Division. Sam has experience in complex commercial litigation, class actions, construction defect litigation, and insurance coverage disputes. Sam is licensed to practice in Colorado, New York and New Jersey.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Juli is also a member of the Firm’s litigation and real estate practice groups.  She represents individuals and entities in real estate transactions, commercial real estate, property development, and commercial disputes.
• Eminent Domain
  Eminent domain — We represent government entities exercising condemnation power. We also counsel property owners to ensure their rights are protected throughout the process. This can mean opposing the government’s purpose for a taking or negotiating a better price for the property. We also help owners recover damages to their property value through reverse condemnation procedures.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Land use and zoning — RWO has one of the most experienced zoning and land use planning practices in the state. The practice group addresses a variety of zoning and planning issues for builders and developers. RWO attorneys understand the entire zoning and planning process from both the landowner’s and the government’s viewpoints.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  Landlord and tenant representation — Our attorneys represent landlords and tenants in lease disputes, evictions, security deposit disputes, and other conflicts over rental properties.
• Property Damage
  November 2022 – Judgment entered in Jefferson County, after trial, in favor of homeowner-clients against window supplier and installer for 100% of damages claimed arising out of property damage to client’s home.
• Condominium Law
  The commercial real estate attorneys at Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C. are highly experienced, accomplished and reputable. We represent property owners, buyers, sellers, developers, lenders, landlords and tenants in transactions and disputes related to land development, condominium conversions, retail centers, office buildings, hotels, multi-family dwellings and industrial facilities. Since 1977, our firm has served as counsel in numerous multimillion- and billion-dollar transactions and high stakes litigation. We have the knowledge and experience to protect your investment.

Health Law

• Personal Injury

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Chad is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. His practice area is primarily construction and real estate litigation.
• Wills
  Our attorneys also represent clients in trust and estate litigation, including will contests, claims concerning the construction of will and trust instruments, and the appointment of fiduciaries.
• Trusts
  Thoughtful and effective planning is necessary for preserving wealth and assets for future generations. RWO’s attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients with developing and implementing tax and planning strategies for families with estates ranging from the simplest to the most complex. A well-considered plan is essential to provide for intended beneficiaries while optimizing tax consequences. Charitable planning is often important to our clients. We assist clients with estate and gift planning, creation and management of trusts, and other strategies that facilitate transition from one generation to the next.
• Power of Attorney
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  RWO attorneys have many years of experience with the representation of debtors, bankruptcy trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, lenders, equity holders and creditors’ committees in Chapter 7, Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, as well as non-bankruptcy workouts and receiverships.  RWO attorneys also have substantial experience defending avoidance actions brought by bankruptcy trustees and Chapter 11 debtors; and the prosecution of actions to determine the dischargeability of debts.
• Foreclosure
  Foreclosures/Workouts & Restructuring/Receiverships – RWO’s foreclosure case experience includes receiverships and bankruptcies. Our attorneys are familiar with deeds in lieu of foreclosure and other loan workout agreements, and judicial and public trustee foreclosures actions. Properties dealt with include office buildings, industrial buildings, retail centers, hotels, apartments and vacant land.
• Tax Law
  Bud Bourke has extensive experience in business, residential and commercial real estate and tax planning for individuals, partnerships and corporations.  He works with individuals (regardless of net worth), executives, closely-held business owners and professionals within Colorado, across the nation, and internationally, to manage their legal and legacy concerns and their multi-generational family businesses.  He has years of experience with the preparation of simple and complex estate plans and documents, shareholder, LLC and partnership agreements, entity formation, management and reorganization, and mergers and acquisitions.  Bud helps clients with the full array of their legal needs from birth to death and start-up through succession or liquidation.  He considers himself fortunate to have the excellent complement of RWO attorneys with expertise in different disciplines available to him to lend insight and to collaborate in service to clients.