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About Bart
Biography
It's not about me.
It's about the gratitude I feel every day for the remarkable people, events, and teachers who influenced my fortunate life. Clink on: to see these people and events.
Thank you to all of my teachers, mentors and friends. I endeavor every day to reflect your profound commitment and integrity in the practice of law.
– Bart Costello, September, 2015
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Car Accident
50%
41 years | 1,500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-33%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 41 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 43 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Bartley Costello, PC
2037 16th St, Boulder, CO, 80302-5402
Law Office of Bartley A. Costello, Jr,. P.C.
2037 16th Street, Boulder, CO, 80302-5402
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Bart A Costello Jr.'s Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Tanja Asmus | March 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
High calibre Lawyer: Intelligent, persistent, and compassionate
From the very first meeting with Bart, I felt like I was in the best hands possible. He listened and cared about the impacts on my health and well due to the accident. He always made sure I understood the details of my case and took the time to break down the legalize for me to grasp. He responded to...
Posted by Mackailee | March 7, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Auto accident
After being in a serious car accident I started getting a lot of calls from insurance adjusters. A family friend who was hit on his motorcycle highly recommended Bart Costello. Bart was very kind and compassionate and understood what I was going through. He got me way more money than I ever expect...
Posted by Brian | January 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Bicycle vs Auto Accident
I was referred to Bart after being involved as the cyclist in a bicycle vs auto accident. I was uncertain about engaging a personal injury attorney given the negative perceptions of "'ambulance chasers" but Bart is a highly regarded attorney for good reason. Bart clearly explained the process for...
Posted by Kim | January 6, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Bart is thoughtful, insightful, and considerate of your needs.
Bart helped me after a car accident that created a mild brain injury and other physical injuries. He was considerate of our present needs and concerns, offered good counsel for future considerations, and respected our choices. He is friendly and easy to talk to as well.
Posted by Shannon | September 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Motorcycle--Auto
Bart was the most through professional attorney I have ever used.He was one of the first people I remember when I woke up in the hospital and the last person when the nightmare of my motorcycle accident was over. Bart was able to obtain the full $100,000 policy limits with no lawsuits. State Farm n...
Bart A Costello Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Bart for many years and have worked with him recently. He is smart, compassionate, and absolutely dedicated to helping injured people, not by trying quickly to settle their case, like too many attorneys do, but by his willingness to go to court for them if necessary. When you have an attorney truly willing to fight for you, great results usually follow."
"I have known Bart Costello many years professionally, and have worked with him on cases and in other professional capacities. He is absolutely a top notch advocate. Not only does he have all the skills necessary to take a case from inception through trial, he truly cares about his clients and deeply wants to see them get justice. He has my highest endorsement."
"Bart Costello combines aggressive advocacy with compassion for his clients and a sincere desire to see justice done. In my experience Bart is skillful in his ability to establish a client's damages in negotiations and well prepared present his client's case at trial - exhibiting an outstanding professionalism all the while. I strongly endorse Bart Costello."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Bart for many years. Compassion for his clients, along with passion for seeking their justice, drives Bart and his practice to superior levels. He is a smart, skilled and tough advocate, Bart has my endorsement, without reservation, in any field of personal injury law. Steve Ray - Fort Collins, CO"
"I have known Bart for many years. We have worked together giving advice to younger attorneys and worked together at a Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College.seminar. We have discussed cases over the years and provided support to each other. I value his friendship and would not hesitate to recommend him to potential clients."
"I know Bart from our work together at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer College. I strongly endorse this lawyer. Bart is as compassionate and caring a lawyer as you will find. He is authentic and real. I welcome opportunities to work together with Bart."
"I have known Bart Costello as a fellow lawyer in Boulder, Colorado for over 30 years. He has an excellent reputation for achieving outstanding results for his clients. I would not hesitate to use Bart myself if I or a family member needed his services. I recommend him wholeheartedly."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bart Costello is a great trial lawyer and advocate for his clients. He has obtained substantial verdicts and settlements and is not afraid to try cases."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Bart Costello for almost 20 years and he is the finest personal injury attorney I have ever met. Bart is extremely knowledgeable and intelligent, highly ethical and extremely tenacious and fearless when it comes to dealing with insurance companies. He is the only attorney that I refer personal injury cases to."
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Experience
Honors
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
staff invitation, Trial Lawyers College
2001
Staff Invitation, Trial Lawyer's College
2000
Staff Invitation, Trial Lawyer's College
1999
Staff Invitation, Trial Lawyer's College
1999
Law Firm recognized, Legal Aid and Defender Association
1985
Trial Advocate, The National Institute for Trial Advocay
N/A
Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Boulder County Bar Association
Work Experience
2000 - Present
Advisor - Multiple Commercial Real Estate Corporations, 2825 Marine Street, LLLP (and others)
1985 - Present
Founder, The Law Office of Bartley A. Costello, Jr., P.C. Boulder, Colorado
1984 - 1985
Public Defender, Denver Public Defender's Office
1983 - 1984
Associate, Personal Injury Law Office, Boulder, CO
1982 - 1983
Law Clerk, LIrtzman and Nehls, PC Boulder, Colorado
1980 - 1982
Law Clerk, Nationally Recognized Medical Malpractice Attorney, Cooney and Crew, P.C.
1975 - 1978
Director Consumer Affairs Office, District Attorney's Office
1975 - 1978
Director of Consumer Affairs, Boulder County District Attorney's Office
1973 - 1974
California Land Conservation Act Research, Private Paralegal
Associations
1987 - Present
Supreme Court of ColoradoAdmitted to Practice
1985 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationAttorney Member
1985 - Present
Colorado Trial Lawyers AssociationAttorney Member
1984 - Present
Colorado Supreme CourtAttorney Member
1999 - 2003
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers CollegeVolunteer Attorney
1998 - 1998
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers CollegeStudent
1997 - 1997
Boulder County Bar AssociationVolunteer - Habitat for Humanity
1992 - 1994
Boulder County Bar Association, Civil Litigation/Medical-Legal SectionChairperson
1992 - 1999
Legal Aid FoundationAttorney Member
1989 - 2007
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, EagleEagle Member
1988 - 1992
Boulder County Legal ServicesVolunteer Attorney
1988 - 1990
National Institute for Trial AdvocacyStudent
1987 - 1994
Colorado Chiropractic AssociationNon-Member Partiocipant
1986 - 2005
Colorado Trial Lawyers AssociationAuto Litigation Committee
1984 - 2003
American Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1984 - 2015
The United States District Court for the District of ColoradoAdmitted to Practice
Sample of Legal Cases
Colorado Supreme Court: ALLSTATE INS. CO. v. COLLINS, 805 P.2d 431 (1991), Supreme Court of Colorado, En Banc.
Client prevailed. Allstate stamped “DENIED” on my client’s $700 medical bill, causing this lawsuit. Based upon this case, and another extensive case, new law emerged making it much harder for Colorado auto insurers to DENY payment of medical bills.
Colorado Court of Appeals: COLLINS v ALLSTATE INS. CO., No. 88CA1058 (Aug. 24, 1989)
Client prevailed. The insurance industry appealed our win here to Colorado Supreme Court. The Supreme Court later sided with us, requiring Colorado auto insurers to NOT DENY medical bills arising from auto collisions or face serious consequences.
Pastore v. University of Colorado; Boulder District Court, Boulder, Colorado
Jury verdict for client. $860,000 including interest and costs. CU’s insurer’s settlement offer before trial: $10,000 for years, then $25,000 3 days before trial. The jury verdict was $835,000 HIGHER than final offer before trial.
Barnard v. Saastamoinen; Boulder District Court, Boulder, Colorado
Jury verdict for client. $302,130 including interest and costs. Final settlement offer before trial: $10,000. The jury verdict was $292,130 HIGHER than the auto insurer’s final settlement offer before trial.
Heinrichs v. Atighechi and Rumer, Boulder District Court; Boulder, Colorado
Jury Verdict: $185,000 with interest, costs. Settlement offers before trial: $28,000. The jury verdict was $157,000 HIGHER than insurance offers before trial. UNUSUAL: Jury separately awarded the client's wife (not in collision) $17,500 for family losses.
Hazlett v. Koob, Jefferson County District Court; Golden, Colorado
Jury verdict for client. $166,000 with interest, costs. Defendant's insurer offered $15,000 before trial. The jury verdict was $151,000 HIGHER than the offer. UNUSUAL: Jury separately awarded client's husband (not in collision) $5,000 for family losses.
Smelser v. Bui, Jefferson County District Court; Golden, Colorado
Jury verdict for $118,000, including interest, costs. The defendant’s auto insurer made a settlement offer before trial of $2,500, followed by an offer of $3,000 just before trial. The jury verdict was $115,000 HIGHER than the insurer’s settlement offer.
Boulder County Legal Services - Volunteer Trial Attorney for Low Income Clients
Lawsuit against client dismissed.
Education
2011
National Psychodrama Training Center
Storm Mountain Center, Rapid City, South Dakota
1998
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
30 day Residency College
1993
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
Instructor (1999 to 2003)
1988
Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
Auditing Attendee
1987
National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Graduate
1987
The National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Diploma Advanced Trial Advocacy Skills
1985
The National Institute for Trial Advocacy Skills
Diploma for Trial Advocacy
1982
Lewis & Clark Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
School of Business, University of Colorado, Boulder
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2007
University of Denver College of Law
Choosing a Jury
2006
University of Colorado School of Law
Personal Injury Law - Auto Collision Law
2006
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Protecting Your Auto Collision Client's Private Medical Records
2004
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Bart Costello Trial Results (YET YET AGAIN!!!!) - Jury verdict: 85 x's the Auto Insurer's Pre-Trial Settlement Offer
2004
Boulder Community Hospital
What You Need to Know - Depositions for Medical Doctors
2003
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, Seminar, Palomar Mountain, California
Opening Statements to the Jury in a Personal Injury Case
2003
Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, Seminar, Midwest USA
Cross Examination
2003
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Conference, Steamboat Colorado
How to Best Help Your Auto Collision Clients, Latest Cases, Client Privacy Matters
2002
Moot Court Competition Instructor, State Championships,, Boulder High School
Moot Court State Championships
2002
Boulder County Bar Association, Civil Litigation/Medical-Legal Section
Subrogation
2002
Boulder College of Massage Therapy Learn from the Experts
How Health Care Providers Get Paid Under Colorado's Automobile No-Faul System
2001
Colorado Trial Lawyers, Blockbuster Seminar 2001
Selecting an Auto Collision Jury; Voire Dire That Works
2001
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Bart Costello Trial Results (AGAIN AND AGAIN!!) - Jury verdict for 66x's the Auto Insurer's Pre-Trial Settlement Offer
2000
How To Hammer Allstate
How and Why to Protect your Client's Medical Privacy. Ten Tips for Collision Lawyers.
1998
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Bart Costello Trial Results (YET AGAIN!!) - Jury verdict: 44 x's the Auto Insurer's Pre-Trial Settlement Offer
1996
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Bart Costello Trial Results (AGAIN!!) - Jury verdict: 30 x's the Auto Insurer's Pre-Trial Settlement Offer
1995
16 Hour Seminar Medical-Legal Issues
Medical-Legal Issues Involving Chiropractic and Vehicle Collisions
1992
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Auto Litigation Committee
Bart Costello Trial Results - Jury verdict: 11 x's the Auto Insurer's Pre-Trial Settlement Offer
Publications
2002
1991
Colorado Supreme Court Reporter
Allstate Ins.Co. v. Collins, 805 P.2d. 431 (1991)
1991
Colorado Supreme Court Reporter noting Court of Appeals case
Collins v. Allstate, NO.88CA1058 (Aug. 24, 1989)
1989
Trial Talk (CO)
ALLSTATE'S NON-PAYMENT OF AUTOMOBILE NO-FAULT BENEFITS FOUIND WILLFUL AND WANTON; COMPUTER AUDIT OF MEDICAL BILLS IS REJECTED BY JURY
1978
Boulder Daily Camera Newspaper
Consumer Law Topics. Published in Boulder Daily Camera every month for three years.
Languages
English