Steven C. Lass, Colorado Lawyer in Family Law.

Steven C. Lass

slass@kghllaw.com

Steve Lass joined KGHL in 1986. His practice primarily focuses on complex litigation, specializing in family law.

Prior to coming to KGHL, Steve was an associate for two years at Loser, Davies, Magoon & Fitzgerald, PC in Englewood, Colorado. Before that, he was an associate for three years at MacIntosh & Commers, PC in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Steve received his J.D. in 1981 from the University of Minnesota, where he was also the Student Director of the Legal Aid Clinic. He completed his undergraduate work in 1977 at St. Olaf College, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Steve has been named in The Best Lawyers in America and listed in Colorado Super Lawyers. He’s also received recognition for his work in family law.

Steve is a frequent lecturer on domestic relations law. He also regularly represents pro bono domestic relations clients through the Metro Volunteer Lawyers Family Law Court Program.

Representative Family Law Cases

I have represented clients in many cases involving complicated custody and high-stakes valuation issues, including: (1) valuing professional practices (attorneys, physicians, dentists, architects, etc.); (2) valuing closely held corporations, family partnerships and trusts; (3) valuing and tracing separate property claims; (4) investigating and analyzing the income of self-employed individuals; (5) litigating high conflict custody and parenting time disputes; (6) litigating complex inter-state custody disputes under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act; (7) litigating the validity and effect of marital agreements; (8) analyzing and advising clients relative to complex bankruptcy issues arising in a dissolution of marriage context; (9) testifying as an expert witness relative to attorney's fees in domestic relations cases; (10) litigating post-decree modifications to custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance; (11) prosecuting and defending claims involving domestic abuse; and (12) prosecuting and defending appeals in domestic relations cases.

Representative Civil Cases

I have been responsible for the representation of clients in a wide variety of civil cases, including: (1) representing a nationwide trucking firm in a contract dispute with a computer software developer; (2) representing a financial planner in a partnership dispute; (3) representing a national corporation in a federal district court race discrimination lawsuit; (4) representing a national restaurant franchisor in franchise litigation disputes; (5) representing the plaintiff in a sex discrimination lawsuit against a state entity; (6) defending the manufacturer of high-performance automotive products in breach of contract/exclusive dealership litigation; (7) monitoring a national corporation's claim as creditor in bankruptcy court; (8) defending a national manufacturer of housing products in litigation with a purchaser and distributor of those products; and (9) defending a national corporation in a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by a Colorado employee.

Representative Pro Bono and Public Interest Cases

I have had the opportunity to represent clients in a large number of pro bono cases, including: (1) representing numerous clients in a wide variety of domestic relations matters, including appeals; (2) successfully defending an indigent defendant in a suit on a promissory note containing forged signatures; (3) successfully prosecuting a racial discrimination in housing claim; (4) successfully defending an indigent client in a collection action involving insufficient service of process; (5) investigating a possible plaintiffs' class action housing discrimination suit on behalf of non-profit housing organization; (6) successfully defending a foreclosure action brought by the Resolution Trust Corporation against an indigent client; and (7) defending a domestic relations client on post-decree matters related to indemnification from alleged marital income tax liabilities.

Employment History

Kelly Garnsey Hubbell + Lass LLC (Denver, Colorado): Member, 1989-present; Associate, 1986-1989
Loser, Davies, Magoon & Fitzgerald, P.C. (Englewood, Colorado): Associate, 1984-1986
MacIntosh & Commers, P.C. (Minneapolis, Minnesota): Associate, 1981-1984

Education

J.D., University of Minnesota, 1981
Honors: Student Director, Legal Aid Clinic, 1980-1981
B.A., St. Olaf College, 1977 summa cum laude
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa; Psi Chi

Licensure

Admitted to practice in Colorado and in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

Civic and Professional Activities

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers: Fellow.
Colorado Bar Association Family Law Section: Chair, 2003-2004; Chair of Legislative Committee, 1997-2003; Executive Council and Board Member, 1995, 1997-present.
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rating.
Frequent lecturer on domestic relations law.
Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado: Board Member, 1997-2002.
Montview Community Preschool and Kindergarten: Chair, Governing Commission, 1997-1999.
Colorado Lawyers Committee: Board Member, 1991-1994.
Citizens for Quality Schools: Board Member, 1992-1994.
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (National Session 1989): Graduate.
Denver, Colorado (Member: Legislative Policy Committee), and American Bar Associations: Member.
Metro Volunteer Lawyers Family Law Court Program: frequently represent pro bono domestic relations clients through DBA-sponsored program.

Publications

"The Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984," 14 The Colorado Lawyer 1413 (1985).
"Property or Expectancy: The Division of Trust Assets at Dissolution of Marriage," 30The Colorado Lawyer 63 (February, 2001).

Attorney Q&A

What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy helping people work through the complex emotional and financial challenges of their divorce.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Denver/Colorado?
The bright, clear, sunny days in the winter.

If you were something other than an attorney, what would you be?
I think I would be a therapist or a minister.

Name the last great book you read.
The Endurance; Shackelton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.

What was your favorite class in law school, and why?
Antitrust. I have no idea why, except that it was intellectually very challenging.

What is your favorite movie about lawyers, and why?
To Kill a Mockingbird. Gregory Peck’s performance.

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