News & Resources

Four Messner & Reeves Lawyers Named Outstanding in Colorado Poll

Four Messner & Reeves' attorneys were named as outstanding by their Colorado peers announced in the April issue of Law & Politics, an award winning magazine based in Washington, D.C.

Matthew R. Groves, Daniel M. Hubbard and Bruce A. Montoya, partners, were named Super Lawyers and Nathan S. Merrill, associate, was named a Rising Star.

More than 13,000 active lawyers in Colorado were balloted, nominating and voting on the best attorneys "they've personally observed in action." A blue ribbon panel of lawyers in more than 55 practice areas within the state monitored and participated in the selection process.

Super Lawyers are the top 5% of attorneys in each state. In addition to the Messner & Reeves partners, other top Colorado lawyers who were recognized include attorneys in other private practices, prosecutors, in-house counsel and public service lawyers.

Messner & Reeves has particular knowledge and expertise in Corporate and Securities; International and China; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Liquor Licensing; Natural Resources; Real Estate; and Tax & Private Client Services.

"We are especially proud of our attorneys who have been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. All of our attorneys counsel clients with superior personal attention and deliver effective legal counsel punctuated with quick response time," said Suzanne S. Goodspeed, chief marketing officer.

Groves' practice focuses on handling trial and litigation needs of major corporate clients, as well as various transactions with clients from the People's Republic of China.

Veteran trial-lawyer Hubbard works with clients in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability litigation, healthcare litigation and administrative regulatory proceedings. Hubbard is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), which is an exclusive, invitation-only organization of attorneys who have tried a minimum of 20 civil jury trials to conclusion. He is also a member of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association and is currently on its board of directors, serving as secretary.

The manager of the firm's litigation department, Montoya is also a member of ABOTA and has over twenty years' experience as a trial lawyer. He has participated in more than fifty trials and arbitrations. He has successfully defended numerous complex civil litigation matters, including high-exposure and class-action cases. He also has expertise in providing risk-management advice to corporations.

Merrill head's the firm's Tax and Private Client Services practice, advising individuals on issues ranging from the creation of basic wills and trusts to insurance planning to business succession planning. He is also a member of the firm's corporate group where his practice focuses on a variety of issues including choice of business entity and formation issues, the growth process, financing, general business matters, shareholder disputes, and business transactions such as asset and stock acquisitions and divestitures, and mergers.

A complete listing of Colorado Super Lawyers appears in a special section in the April 2009 edition of 5280 magazine.