Derek C. Blass

Mr. Blass specializes in civil litigation and regularly represents clients at hearings and at trial, alone and as part of a trial team. Significantly, he has served as first chair in complex civil litigation and construction defect actions in state and federal courts. He has also developed trial and settlement strategies; conducted lay person and expert depositions; drafted motions, findings and orders; and argued before courts and administrative tribunals.

Mr. Blass also has transaction experience, working with public and private companies on securities, acquisition, contract and formation issues. A proficient Spanish-speaker, Mr. Blass is developing his practice representing members of the Latino/a business community.

Community Involvement
Co-Chair of Denver Latino Commission, 2007-present
Delegate to City and County of Denver's Human Rights and Community Relations Agency's Advisory Board , 2007-present
Member of Federal Magistrate Judge Michael Watanabe's Dream Team for Diversity Pipeline Program, 2008-present
Board member and volunteer attorney for Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, 2006-present
Board member for Escuela Tlateloco, 2008-present
Member of Dean's Diversity Pipeline Working Group, 2007-2008
Career fair volunteer for Colorado UpLift, 2006-present


Education
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., 2005
    Scholastic Excellence Award recipient for Counseling and Negotiation
    DU Schimberg Diversity Scholarship recipient for academic excellence and community involvement
    President - Latino Law Student Association
    Chair of Speakers for Eighth Annual Latino/a Law Student Conference

Duke University, B.A., Economics and English, 2002


Association Memberships
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Prior Experience
Associate, Zupkus & Angell, P.C. (2006-2009)
Law Clerk, Fowler, Schimber & Flanagan, P.C. (2005-2006)
Law Clerk, Safeco Law Offices (2004-2005)


Publications
Top Five Reasons to Retain a Spanish-Speaking Attorney to Represent Your Spanish-Speaking Client, American Bar Association, Minority Trial Lawyer Section