Gary changed my future: he was an advocate for ME throughout the entire, long process
This is long, but Gary changed my life. I have struggled to find the right words to do him justice. Having him represent me has affected both me and my ex: I am financially secure; I have all 3 of my dogs (my ex tried to get 1); and my ex had to come up with a ton of money to pay me what the courts ...awarded me.
The Divorce process took 10 years off of my health – If I had had my former attorney (who did nothing for me) and not Gary I have no idea where I’d be today. I do know I’d probably be one dog short and poor. When I changed attorneys everything changed for the better. Gary was always an advocate for me and got results.
When you are ill you go to a general practitioner (attorney), where they tell you you need to see a specialist (Family law attorney). When the specialist has nothing new to offer you that all the other specialists have too - and none of it is helping, you find the one person in that industry whose passion and life’s’ work has been devoted to that one area and whom because of the dedication and knowledge has a lot more options to offer you (Gary) .
I was terrified going into court and my ex offered a settlement on the court house steps. Given all the emotional trauma of the divorce process, the seemingly (to me) decent offer and fact my ex had “one of the top lawyers in Colorado,” I wanted to accept the offer and avoid the stress of the Permanent Orders Hearing. But Gary assured me we should go before the judge because he did not believe the offer was fair or in my best interest.
We did do better in court than what was offered because I was awarded about 98% MORE than the offer I was going to accept. Gary was brilliant and quick on his feet. I still get a chuckle today when I think of how Gary demolished my ex and his attorney in court: I was almost embarrassed for my ex and his attorney as Gary broke them both down, point-by-point. As the day- long hearing progressed, the demeanor of my ex and his attorney changed from arrogant and assured to stressed and insecure. Gary’s pre-hearing preparation and brilliance in court during the hearing completely changed the game: I walked in terrified, while my ex walked in with confidence. But, I walked out on cloud 9 and my ex and his attorney walked out in disbelief. It was obvious to everyone I had the more skillful and better prepared attorney.
Following the conclusion of the case (5 years ago) my ex failed to make court ordered payments. I was contacted many times by my ex since the conclusion of the case and offered as settlement a fraction of the money I was awarded by the court. Gary had many opportunities to be done with me and the case and say OK to one of my periodic calls to him where I stated “My ex offered me $X to close out this all and I think I should accept it." But Gary didn’t think it was fair and believed my ex was in a much better financial position than he claimed. Gary wasn’t making much money off of my 2 calls to him each year but he took my case so seriously and always wanted to get the best for me.
Ultimately Gary negotiated a lump sum for me that was 8 times more than what I was willing to accept.
Without Gary being my attorney, I have no doubt I would only have 2 of 3 of my dogs and barely any money and no hope or joy. Instead I got a ton of money and all 3 dogs. For anyone looking for advice during this traumatic time where you will not be yourself due to the stress and trauma I have 2 pieces of advice:
1. Do not listen to friends' and family's legal advice - they are all wrong, and wrong all of the time.
2. Retain Gary if you want the smartest attorney in the room on your side and you want to be represented by an ethical, compassionate, hard working attorney.