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Shawn E. McDermott
also known as McDermott Law LLC
About Shawn
Biography
I have practiced law in the Denver, Colorado area since 1992. My office specializes in insurance disputes and personal injury claims. I operate a small practice where we can offer each of our clients personal attention, expert legal advice, and diligent representation. We offer unique legal experiences in the area of long-term disability — including those claims governed by ERISA as well as individual policies - and are one of the few Colorado law firms with extensive experience in such matters. e are also experienced in cases involving PERA Disability Retirement, life insurance, accidental death and disability insurance, long-term care insurance, general insurance denials (bad faith), and general personal injury matters.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Insurance
45%
33 years | 1,000 cases
Employee Benefits
35%
33 years | 1,000 cases
Life Insurance
10%
33 years | 50 cases
Personal Injury
10%
33 years | 200 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 33 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Shawn E McDermott
4600 S. Ulster Street, Suite 800, Denver, CO, 80237
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Shawn E. McDermott's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 22 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jennifer | March 5, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Kind and Committed
If we could, we would give McDermott Law firm infinite stars. I called close to 20 law offices trying to get help with our situation. When we finally contacted McDermott law, we were not only listened to, but validated and given sound advice. Shawn and his entire team, Ben, Madelyn, Lisa, and Jacob h...
Posted by Melinda | November 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Thankful to find such a wonderful firm to represent me!
Shawn and MarySue were successful fighting to have my LTD benefits reinstated, twice, when the insurance company decided I was no longer disabled. Later when my husband became disabled they fought successfully for him too. They are caring and very professional and really take the time to listen an...
Posted by John | January 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Review
After every other law firm said no to us McDermott law said yes, and took on our long term disability insurance claim. We contacted at least a dozen firms. Sadly, filing for social security was the easy part…dealing with the long term disability insurance company was unbearable. We could not have ma...
Posted by anonymous | April 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hire Shawn McDermott!
Having worked in healthcare for over 40 years, I knew I needed an experienced law team in my court when going up against a big insurance company for my health related claim. Mr McDermott and his team were in my corner the whole way to a prompt and favorable outcome.
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Experienced and Knowledgable
McDermott Law was recommended by a professional contact. Mr. McDermott is highly skilled and knowledgeable. His team is professional, caring, and thorough. I recommend this office!
Shawn E. McDermott's Lawyer Endorsements
"Shawn is a well respected lawyer in Colorado and represents his clients well. I would not hesitate to refer my family or friends to him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. McDermott has initiated and defended cases involving personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, bad faith, employee benefits, disability, life and accident insurance claims (involving both ERISA and non-ERISA claims), workers’ compensation, and wrongful death. The emphasis of his practice more than a decade has related almost exclusively to disability and life insurance coverage and bad faith disputes. On numerous occasions over the past 20 plus years, he have acted as lead counsel in state and federal courts litigating benefit claims disputes, arising under ERISA plans, private insurance plans, and the Colorado Public Employee’s Retirement Association (PERA) Disability Retirement Program. At least 90% of his current practice is devoted to disability, life, and accidental death insurance claims disputes. The majority of those claims are governed by ERISA. He has handled hundreds of matters on behalf of ERISA claimants."
"I endorse Shawn. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Shawn is the go to lawyer in Denver on Plaintiff's insurance disability cases. He knows the law, he has the experience, and he gets great results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. McDermott is one of the leading lawyers in Colorado in disability law. His knowledge of disability benefits and law including, ERISA and PERA, is extensive. I highly recommend Shawn McDermott for any dispute involving insurance issues."
"I fully endorse Shawn McDermott. He is smart, diligent and not afraid to take on the big insurance companies. Shawn has earned a reputation throughout Denver for his exceptional work in disability insurance claims. I recommend Shawn without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. McDermott is one of the leading attorneys in Colorado in the field of disability insurance law including ERISA and PERA related claims. I highly recommend his firm for these matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. Shawn McDermott is one of the few lawyers in Denver who is very knowledgable about the laws governing employee benefits and the Judges and Migistrates who decide these cases. He is very effective in obtaining employee benefits - especially disability benefits - for his clients. He knows many of the attorneys representing the disability insurance companies. More importantly, they know him and that he is very good at representing persons seeking such benefits. He has educated me on the difficulties faced by someone trying to obtain disability benefits and the importance of retaining a lawyer who works in this area of the law on a daily basis, as he does."
Patricia Jarzobski
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Personal injury lawyer
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Medical malpractice lawyer
James Tenge
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Experience
Honors
2022
Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, 2010, Super Lawyers Magazine
1992
Austin W. Scott, Jr. Award - Best Oral Argument, Univ of Colorado
1992
Rothgerber Moot Court Competition, Winning Team Member, Univ of Colorado
Work Experience
1996 - Present
Senior Attorney, Law Office of Shawn E. McDermott
1992 - 1996
Associate Attorney, Breit Bosch Levin & Coppola
Associations
1992 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember
1992 - Present
Colorado Trial Lawyers AssociationBoard of Directors (1999-2002)
1992 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
1992 - Present
Denver Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Cherisse Croll v. Connecticut General and LOCKHEED MARTIN GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE PLAN, 863 F.Supp.2d 1093, 2012 WL 1439172
Order of Judgment in favor of client
Bray v. Sun Life and Health Ins. Co. (U.S.), No. 08-cv-02335-RBJ-CBS, 2012 WL 628611 (D.Colo. Feb. 27, 2012)
Successful result for client on all claims
Bottoms v. Liberty Life, No. 11–cv–01606–PAB–CBS, 2011 WL 6181423 (D.Colo. Dec. 13, 2011)
successful discovery order compelling Liberty Life to produce certain documents
Kohut v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., No. 08-cv-00669-CMA-MJW, 2008 WL 5246163 (D.Colo. Dec. 16, 2008)
Favorable ERISA discovery order
Progressive Specialty Ins. Co. v. Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co., 148 P.3d 470 (Colo.App. 2006) October 19, 2006 (No. 05CA1161)
Favorable insurance "stacking" of policies decision
McCord v. Affinity Ins. Group, 13 P.3d 1224 (Colo. App. 2000)
Favorable judgment upheld
Meza v. State Farm, Colorado Court of Appeals No.: 06CA2667 (July 3, 2008)
Successful - benefits obtained
Jeffryes v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., No. 05-cv-01770-EWN-CBS, 2006 WL 1186493 (D.Colo. May 4, 2006)
favorable discovery order
Education
1992
University of Colorado School of Law
Juris Doctor
1988
University of Colorado - Boulder
Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2008
HB 1407: Insurance Accountability Act Seminar
The Impact of HB 1407 on ERISA Health, Life and Disability Claims
Publications
2013
Trial Talk (CO)
Employer-Provided Disability Coverage and Offsets for Other Income Benefits: The Necessary Coordination of Benefits
2010
Colorado Bar Association - The Colorado Lawyer
C.R.S. § 10-3-1116, ERISA Preemption, and the Standard of Review
2004
Colorado Bar Association - The Colorado Lawyer
Group Long-Term Disability Coverage and ERISA
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers