We are pleased to receive inquiries from persons who may be considering employment with our firm. Our principal goal is and always has been to provide increased value to our clients through high-quality, efficient and timely legal services that are aligned with and responsive to our clients' needs and challenges. Achievement of that goal depends on hiring, training, and supporting attorneys qualified to meet the responsibilities of a sophisticated practice.
Compensation for associate attorneys consists of base salary – generally which is adjusted annually on an individual basis – and an incentive bonus plan which is available commencing with an associate attorney's first full year with the firm. Compensation for of counsel attorneys is based on a combination of individual performance and the delegation of originated work to other attorneys in the firm as appropriate. Benefits provided by the firm to attorneys include group health, group life, and long term disability insurance plans; reimbursement for professional dues and expenses; and an allowance for continuing legal education and other professional activities. Another benefit consists of annual contributions to an employee's profit sharing plan. The firm has historically funded each employee's plan with a generous contribution computed as a percentage of the employee's salary. The firm also offers voluntary dental and vision plans. The firm has no set vacation policy for attorneys; each attorney is free to coordinate personal vacation time consistent with the maintenance of a professional practice.
While our attorneys are expected to develop practice areas of specialization consistent with their individual interests and particular expertise, the demands of our practice require that each attorney gains experience and expertise in several practice areas. Accordingly, attorneys can expect to be trained in and work in a variety of the firm's areas of practice. In addition to performing research and writing tasks, a new associate is expected to develop skills for effective client communication, negotiations with other attorneys, and drafting complex documents. Although the time period varies with individual skill and dedication, the firm delegates increased responsibilities to associate attorneys as rapidly as possible, and an associate generally becomes fully and directly occupied with client matters within one year. Attorneys are given regular feedback as to their performance. More formal evaluations of attorneys are conducted at or near the end of each calendar year.
Our attorneys are strongly encouraged to participate in community and professional organizations in areas of their interest.
Generally, a decision as to whether the firm will offer an attorney the opportunity to become a shareholder is made by the beginning of the calendar year following the sixth anniversary of employment.
The Community and Regional Environment
Our firm is headquartered in Grand Junction, Colorado. As the largest city between Denver and Salt Lake City, Grand Junction is the center of transportation, business, professional and cultural activities for an extensive geographic area. Accordingly, Grand Junction possesses the amenities and opportunities of a city several times larger than its urban area population of approximately 160,000. In addition to the traditional areas of agriculture, health care, energy and tourism, Grand Junction has attracted new services and light manufacturing industries to the community, thus broadening its economic base. The community offers a strong public school system, a university with post-graduate programs, several major hospitals and medical centers, a symphony orchestra and regional arts center, museums, a wide array of dining and shopping options, an extensive parks and recreation program, and several golf, tennis, and athletic club facilities. Grand Junction’s downtown pedestrian area offers a tree-lined Main Street with unique restaurants, shops, theaters, art galleries, and one of the country's largest outdoor art collections, “Art on the Corner”.
The Grand Junction area enjoys four distinct seasons, none of which is severe. Sunny, mild, and dry weather prevails most of the year, enabling residents to take advantage of the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities available in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Grand Junction is bordered by the canyons of Colorado National Monument to the south, Book Cliffs mountains to the north, and Grand Mesa to the east. Despite their proximity to one another, these three areas represent rather different environments. Within a short distance of our office are some of the finest areas for road cycling, mountain biking, alpine and cross country skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and whitewater river rafting and boating. The resort areas of Aspen/Snowmass, Vail/Beaver Creek, Telluride, Powderhorn, and Moab are easily accessible for winter and summer sports, and summer cultural festivals.
Grand Junction
200 Grand Avenue, Suite 400
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Telephone: 970.986.3400
Fax: 970.986.3401
Gunnison Office
234 North Main Street, Suite 3A
Gunnison, CO 81230
Telephone: 970.641.4531
Fax: 970.641.4532