Dan A. Wartell

Summary

Dan Wartell is a trial lawyer with a practice focusing on complex business litigation, financial fraud and business torts, and professional liability. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and individuals – all of whom require smart, passionate, and creative counsel to solve their problems. Dan is equally comfortable pursuing cases on behalf of plaintiffs as he is defending businesses and individuals involved in litigation. Mr. Wartell has handled a wide range of matters involving breach of contract, unfair competition and misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, embezzlement, intellectual property litigation, and appeals. Dan also represents individuals in professional liability matters including legal malpractice, business and real estate broker malpractice, and accountant malpractice. He also handles select criminal defense and personal injury matters.

Mr. Wartell graduated in the top ten percent (Order of St. Ives) of his class from the University of Denver College of Law. While in law school, Dan won the National Championship at the ATLA Student Trial Advocacy Competition in New Orleans, beating out over 200 other trial teams from around the country. He also served as Chairman of the Honor Board and received the Clarence L. Bartholic Award for legal professionalism. Before entering private practice, Dan served as a law clerk for Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis of the Colorado Supreme Court. Prior to law school, Dan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Montana, receiving a B.A. with dual majors in political science and criminology.

Dan is a fourth-generation Coloradoan with strong ties to the Denver community. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters – the loves of his life. Dan also has an active pro bono practice with recent contributions including work for the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, the filing of an amicus brief with the Colorado Supreme Court on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, and representation of the Colorado Trial Lawyer's Association to preserve the First Amendment and confidentiality rights of its members.

Specific Areas of Practice:

Fraud and Business Tort Cases

• Misrepresentations Made in the Purchase; Sale or Mergers of Businesses
• Breaches of Fiduciary Duty
• Employee Fraud and Embezzlement
• Trade Secret Theft and Unfair Competition
• Interference with Business Opportunities
• Fraudulent Transfers / Concealment of Assets

Professional Liability Litigation

• Legal Malpractice
• Real Estate Broker/ Business Broker Malpractice
• Stock Broker/ Investment Advisor Malpractice

Partnership Disputes and Minority Shareholder / Member Oppression

• Business Dissolutions
• Receivership Actions
• Minority Owner Squeeze-Outs / Freeze Outs
• Self-Dealing and Diversion of Business Assets
• Employee Embezzlement

Commercial Litigation

Insurance Bad Faith Litigation and Coverage Disputes

Intellectual Property Litigation

Criminal Defense

Criminal and Civil Appeals

Personal Injury

Significant Representations

• Obtained six figure jury verdict on behalf of client who was defrauded during the purchase of a business
• Obtained seven figure jury verdict in breach of contract and fraud case involving the merger of two businesses
• Obtained defense jury verdict on behalf of client sued for wrongful death (homicide), battery, and conspiracy
• Obtained judgment and award of attorneys' fees and costs after trial to the court on behalf of homeowner's association in lawsuit involving unpaid assessments
• Obtained defense jury verdict on behalf of client accused of destroying police cruiser in motor vehicle accident
• Obtained dismissal of all criminal charges against middle school principal accused of failing to report child abuse
• Obtained favorable plea bargains for clients in numerous criminal cases after rigorous investigation and negotiation with the prosecution
• Negotiated numerous six and seven figure pre-trial settlements in civil cases
• Obtained reversal of trial court's enforcement of settlement agreement on appeal
   

Honors / Distinctions

• 2009-2012 Colorado Rising Stars - Business Litigation
• Judicial Law Clerk, Rebecca Love Kourlis, Colorado Supreme Court, 2003-2004
• National Champion, University of Denver ATLA Trial Team
• Chairman, University of Denver College of Law Honor Board
• American Jurisprudence Award, Trial Practice and Professional Responsibility
• Clarence L. Bartholic Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession
• Student Leadership Award - University of Denver
• President, University of Montana Rugby Club
• Presidential Leadership Award - University of Montana
• Pi Signa Alpha and Golden Key Honor Societies - University of Montana

Admitted to Practice Before

• Colorado since 2003

Also admitted in the following courts:

• United States District Court for the District of Colorado
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Professional and Community Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association
• Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
• University of Denver Alumni Council
• Assistant Coach, University of Denver College of Law AAJ Trial Team
• President, Hampden South Neighborhood Association