BHGR Leverages In-House Talent to Build Out Appellate Practice Group

BOULDER, CO--(Marketwire - Feb 7, 2012) - Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR) is announcing the formation of an Appellate Practice Group to assist clients and attorneys in the successful navigation of the Colorado appeals process.

BHGR's select team of appellate lawyers has significant experience handling appellate cases in front of the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

According to Heidi Potter, a BHGR Partner who helps lead the team, the Appellate Practice Group has the capabilities to both manage an entire appeal or provide consultation at any level.

"There are plenty of terrific trial attorneys out there who have extensive experience trying cases," says Ms. Potter, "but finding success in the trial courts is too often only half the battle. These attorneys, as good as they are, just don't have the time, the interest, or the specific expertise to take a case through appeal. That's where we come in."

In additon to Ms. Potter, whose practice focuses on civil appeals and litigation, the Appellate Practice Group includes:

• Josh Marks, a BHGR Partner, whose civil rights, employment and real estate law expertise spans more than twenty years, with an extensive and successful background in pursuing and defending appeals before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado Court of Appeals;
  
  
• Melanie Lewis, a Special Counsel with experience briefing and arguing appeals in both the Colorado and federal appellate courts; and
  
  
• Rudy Verner, an Associate Attorney and former Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals clerk whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, insurance coverage and appellate matters.
  
  

Collectively, the Group offers a full range of appellate services, including representation on appeal, consultation during trial, prosecuting interlocutory appeals, oral argument, consultation and moot courts, help with post-trial procedures, motions, strategy, and deadlines, and help understanding and navigating newly implemented e-filing procedures and policies.

"Even with the Tenth Circuit and the Colorado Court of Appeals already requiring electronic records and filings and having the Colorado Supreme Court following suit in the very near future," says Mr. Marks, "it's apparent to us that very few attorneys are making full use of technology in presenting their briefs. Our group is already filing appellate briefs that are electronically linked to documents in the record and legal authority. This puts all of the information the judges need at their fingertips and puts us ahead of the curve. Moreover, we have done this enough times that we can now efficiently create the linkage for our clientele. This is a trend that will be around for some time, so we have mastered the employment of this technology to increase our chances of success at the appellate level."

Boulder-based BHGR was founded in 2001. With 32 attorneys representing clients throughout North America and beyond, BHGR's breadth of expertise includes practices related to business, construction, criminal defense, the environment and water, complex commercial litigation, public entity representation, employment, real estate, trusts, and estates. In June, the firm announced the opening of a new office in historic Lower Downtown Denver to serve its growing Rocky Mountain region client base.

About Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP
BHGR is a Boulder/Denver local law firm providing high quality and cost-effective representation for individual and business clients in the Rocky Mountain region and around the world. Combining the expertise and sophistication of a national organization with the service and responsiveness of a boutique practice, BHGR lawyers are committed to creating long-standing personal relationships and providing pragmatic solutions to difficult problems. BHGR clients receive hands-on attention and the practical expertise of experienced lawyers who place a premium on delivering the highest quality legal advice in the most efficient and cost-effective manner as possible, an approach that has enabled the firm to stand out among contemporary law firms. For more information, visit www.bhgrlaw.com.