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About James
Biography
Jim Puga, a Colorado native, dedicates his practice to seeking compensation and justice for those injured by the negligence of others, with a particular focus on medical malpractice and personal injury. Jim has successfully tried, settled, or is currently handling cases throughout the United States including the states of Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wyoming. Prior to joining Leventhal & Puga in 1999 and dedicating his practice exclusively to the representation of those injured by the negligence of others, Jim handled complex business and civil litigation matters at the law firm of Davis, Graham & Stubbs and tried numerous cases as insurance defense counsel at smaller litigation boutique firms. Jim has been recognized since 2007 by Best Lawyers in America in the field of medical malpractice and since 2012 in the field of personal injury. Jim has also been recognized as a Colorado Super Lawyer since 2007. Jim has been AV rated by Martindale-Hubbel for over 15 years. In addition to his trial work, Jim has briefed numerous cases to the Colorado Court of Appeals, to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Colorado Supreme Court. Jim has argued before the Colorado Supreme Court, and has numerous reported appellate decisions in the state of Colorado, the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado, and the 10th District Court of Appeals.
Jim is a faculty member with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy instructing in the area of trial skills and he has lectured for the State of Colorado to attorneys at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association in the areas of medical malpractice and trial advocacy. Jim has also lectured at the American Association of Justice’s annual convention on medical malpractice and scientific evidentiary issues in medical malpractice, and he has lectured at the Western Trial Lawyer’s Association on matters of medical malpractice and scientific evidentiary issues in medical malpractice. Jim has lectured at the University of Colorado Medical School in the area of shoulder dystocia birth injury, as well as at various business and insurance related seminars. Jim is the current co-editor of the American Association of Justice Birth Trauma Litigation Newsletter.
Jim attended the University of Denver as a University Scholar, graduating cum laude and with University Honors in political science and history. Jim then attended the University of Denver College of Law on a College of Law scholarship graduating in 1989.
Jim is a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice, the American Association of Justice Leaders Forum, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and he is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and he has also been active in his community as a youth baseball and lacrosse coach, tutoring disadvantaged students, and serving as a volunteer with Denver Kids, Inc. Jim has received recognition as Denver Kids, Inc.’s Friend of the Year.
In his free time, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage children, and is an avid reader, cyclist, and skier.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Birth Injury
34%
Medical Malpractice
33%
Personal Injury
33%
Fees and Rates
Licenses
Licensed in Arizona for 5 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 2020
No misconduct found
Licensed in Colorado for 36 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Leventhal & Puga, P.C.
950 S Cherry St Ste 600, Denver, CO, 80246-2665
leventhal-law.com/lawyers/jim-puga.htmlJames Edward Puga's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
Not Yet Reviewed
James Edward Puga's Lawyer Endorsements
"Jim has an outstanding reputation in the Colorado legal community and he serves his clients zealously."
"Great trial lawyer!"
"I have had the opportunity to work with Jim in the Birth Trauma Litigation Group, to brainstorm with him and to hear him speak at seminars. I can say without hesitation that he is one of the smartest and most knowledgeable attorneys that I have met."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2017
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2016
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2016
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2015
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2015
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2014
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2013
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2013
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2012
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2011
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2010
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2009
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
2008
Top Attorneys in Colorado, 5280 Magazine
2007
Colorado Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers
N/A
Personal Injury Lawyers Top 10% in Nation, Lawyers of Distinction
N/A
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
N/A
Member, America's Top 100 Attorneys
N/A
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
1998 - Present
Partner, Leventhal & Puga
Associations
2015 - Present
United States Supreme CourtAdmitted
2015 - Present
Colorado Trial Lawyers AssociationExecutive Council
2010 - Present
Colorado Trial Lawyers AssociationBoard of Directors
2010 - Present
National Institute for Trial AdvocacyFaculty Member
1989 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationAdmitted
American Association for Justice, Medical Negligence Information Exchange Group
Member
Western Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Melvin M. Belli Society
Member
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
Member
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Member
American Board of Trial Advocates
Member
American Association for Justice, Leaders Forum
Member
American Association for Justice, Birth Trauma Litigation Group
Board of Directors
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Member
American Association for Justice
Member
Denver Bar Association
Member
2014 - 2016
American Association for Justice, Birth Trauma Litigation GroupCo-chair
Education
1989
University of Denver
JD
Speaking Engagements
2017
CTLA Blockbuster Seminar
Medical Expenses and the Affordable Care Act
2017
CTLA 2017 Summer Convention
Evaluating Potential Medical Malpractice Cases: It Is All About Causation
2017
American Conference Institute: Obstetric Malpractice Claims
Guest Speaker: Obstetric Malpractice Claims
2017
AAJ 2017 Annual Convention
Negotiating a Settlement: Effective Mediation/Negotiations
2016
WTLA Annual Convention
Case Theming and Bringing In Trial Technology As Part of The Process
2016
Kansas Association for Justice
Demonstrative Exhibits and Timelines in Medical Negligence Cases
2016
AAJ 2016 Annual Convention
Causation is the Key: Cross Examination of Medical Expert Witnesses
2015
WTLA Summer Convention
Guest Speaker: Demonstrative Exhibits
2015
Kansas Association for Justice
Guest Speaker: Demonstrative Exhibits
2015
CTLA Blockbuster Seminar
Guest Speaker: Cross Examination
2015
American Conference Institute: Obstetric Malpractice Claims
New Trends in Hypothermia Treatment for Newborns Suffering from Acute Hypoxic Encephalopathy
2015
ACA Round Table Meeting
The Issue (At Least As the Defense Sees It)
2015
AAJ 2015 Annual Convention
Demonstrative Evidence and Timelines in Medical Negligence Trials
2013
CTLA 2013 Annual Convention
Guest Speaker: Assume Nothing
2012
AAJ 2012 Winter Convention
In Utero Causation Defense for Brachial Plexus Injuries (Do you want to be right or do you want to win?)
2011
CTLA 2011 Convention
Proving Medical Malpractice Liability in 20 Minutes
2010
CTLA 2010 Convention
Shreck in Light of "Ford": How to Adjust (If Anything is Possible, is Everything Admissable?)
2010
AAJ 2010 Annual Convention
Adequacy of Administrative Notice Under FTCA: Another Procedural Minefield
2009
CU School of Medicine: Medical Legal Issues in Obstetrics Practice
Guest Speaker: Shoulder Dystocia
2002
CTLA 2002 Convention
Guest Speaker
Publications
2014
AAJ Birth Trauma Section Newsletter
Co-Editor - AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Newsletter
2013
AAJ Birth Trauma Section Newsletter
Co-Editor - AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Newsletter
2012
AAJ Birth Trauma Section Newsletter
Co-Editor - AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Newsletter
Languages
English