Attorneys
Valerie A. Garcia
Shareholder
Phone: 720.946.4767
A Shareholder and Director of the Firm, Valerie Garcia’s practice focuses on counseling clients in all aspects of the construction industry. Her clients include builders, developers, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, material suppliers, architects and engineers. Valerie also has significant experience defending product liability claims, toxic tort claims, premise liability claims, personal injury claims arising out of construction projects, and complex commercial litigation.
With a proven track record for success, Valerie leads the Firm’s Construction Industry Practice Group. 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.
Valerie prescribes to a process of early case analysis that helps her clients chart the appropriate course for a winning outcome, be it settlement, mediation, or litigation. With a broader focus on resolution, and with litigation just one of the options available, Valerie helps her clients preserve valuable business relationships and see their way through to optimal resolution. When an aggressive defense at trial is the best course, Valerie is a vigorous advocate for them in any litigation setting.
Representative experience includes:
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High exposure toxic tort claimed dismissed on summary judgment because plaintiffs failed to establish duty owed by construction management consultant.
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Claims against restoration contractor dismissed the morning of trial in case involving mold and asbestos claims.
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Summary judgment entered on breach of contract claim in favor of general contractor client arising out of a business dispute involving the construction of a gas station and retail convenience store.
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Successfully moved to strike builder / developer plaintiff’s expert witness resulting in voluntary dismissal of claims against subcontractor client.
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Co-defense counsel and obtained favorable verdict on behalf of general contractor client, including an award of attorneys fees and costs.
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Negotiated favorable settlement in favor of builder / developer in case where plaintiffs alleged millions of dollars in damages involving a product liability claim.
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Defense verdict on breach of contract bench trial.
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Defense verdict on behalf of national engineering firm in a case brought by single family homeowners.
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Represented school district in case involving construction management and cost escalation claims and negotiated favorable resolution that preserved school district’s on-going business relationship with general contractor.
Memberships
Defense Research Institute (Product Liability, Toxic Tort and Construction Committees)
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Women’s Bar Association
Catholic Lawyers Guild
Awards & Recognition
Chair, KCF Construction Industry Practice Group (2008-present)
Board of Directors, KCF (2009-2012)
Firm Secretary, KCF (2008-2009)
Fellow, Colorado Bar Foundation (2008-present)
Board of Trustees, Denver Bar Association (2008-2011)
Board of Governors, Colorado Bar Association (2008-2011)
Nominating Committee, Denver Bar Association (2008 -2009)
Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (2007)
Board of Directors, Good Shepherd Foundation (2004-2007)
Board of Directors, Downtown Aurora Visual Arts Center (2004-2006)
Home Builders Association’s Quality Construction Committee Participant (2006)
Co-chair Education Committee, Colorado Hispanic Bar Association (2000-2002)
Public Policy Committee, University of Colorado Alumni Association (1994-2000)
Coach, Colorado Bar Association Mock Trial Team, (2000 and 2007)
Chancellor’s Scholar, University of Denver
American Jurisprudence Award for Advanced Family Law
Downtown Aurora Visual Arts Center
Good Shepherd Foundation
University of Colorado at Denver Alumni Association
Presentations
Practicing with Professionalism, DU Law School Orientation (2009)
Risk Management for Subcontractors, Turner Construction and University of Denver, Daniels College of Business (2006)
Developments in Construction Litigation, Co-Author, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association (2004)
Construction and Product Liability Legislative Update, Denver Claims Magazine (2003)