MERTES LAW - Key Persons
Connor's litigation practice has historically involved defense in various contexts, such as defending insurance companies in complex litigation, securing custody rights for divorcing parents, representing municipalities, advocating for the application of the American's with Disabilities Act in various contexts, and defending tenants from predatory landlords. Connor's experience includes comprehending dense statutory/administrative law and counseling clients during some of the most turbulent moments of their lives. With his experience, Connor has successfully defended numerous individual and corporate defendants.
Connor's practice is currently grounded in criminal law, Title IX, and plaintiff's personal injury. To reduce uncertainty for his client, he focuses on establishing the trust of the client by actively listening, presenting difficult truths where needed, understanding the applicable laws, and ruthlessly pursuing the client's desired outcome.
No matter the size or seriousness of the case, during a consultation with Connor you will receive his undivided attention and care. Connor's goal is to ensure his clients have a clear understanding of the law, their options, and the likely results of the decisions they make. If hired, Connor will negotiate on your behalf, communicate each deadline, and provide options of what to do. Connor personally handles all aspects of litigation including initial investigation, analysis, evaluation, motions, discovery, mediation, and trial.
Education
Connor was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and spent his youth in the surrounding Wasatch Mountain range enjoying nature. Around 2008, Connor became interested in practicing law because he found immense joy in eliminating conflicts and bringing people closer together when possible. In his relentless pursuit to become a lawyer before he turned 26, Connor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science - interested mostly in different social structures, philosophy, and economics. In fall of 2015, Connor attended the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah.
While at S.J. Quinney, Connor was a member of the Energy and Sustainability National Moot Court competition and participated in trial advocacy courses. Awards include best grade in Criminal Law and the professor-elected Outstanding Achievement Award in Criminal Procedure - both courses being taught by prior Federal Court Judge Professor Paul Cassell. Connor earned his Juris Doctorate in 2018 with a certificate in Pro Bono for participating in countless workshops and clinics for people in need of legal services. With this understanding of criminal law/procedure and desire to help clients directly, Connor chose criminal defense as his primary focus.
Larry Mertes started his Colorado law career in 1983 as a deputy district attorney in the Boulder County District Attorney's Office. In 1990 he founded Mertes Law in Boulder, Colorado - a law practice dedicated to providing a strong, creative, and competent defense to those accused of a criminal offense, including DUI and Domestic Violence.
In addition to providing a seasoned and successful criminal defense Larry's practice provides representation for administrative law claims, such as providing a defense for the revocation of a driver's license, including commercial driver's license matters, and for claims made against licensed professionals by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA).
Recognizing that students accused of criminal offenses need a lawyer well-versed in education law to address companion Title IX sexual misconduct claims which can result in suspension or expulsion from their secondary schools, colleges, and universities Larry's law practice specializes in providing an aggressive and focused defense to students who face a notice of investigation and Title IX/student conduct investigations.
While working as a deputy district attorney Larry personally handled all civil forfeiture matters in Boulder County which were brought to seize the profits and possessions of persons who committed serious crimes. Gaining this intimate knowledge of civil practice, while still working as a prosecutor, allowed Larry to develop a personal injury practice which pursues civil justice for anyone whose life has been disrupted by personal injury and pain caused by the negligence of another, as well as wrongful death claims occurring when a loved one's life has been taken by the negligence of another.
Larry is a 2001 graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, an organization dedicated to training and educating lawyers and judges who are committed to the jury system and to representing and obtaining justice for individuals - the poor, the injured, the forgotten, the voiceless, the defenseless; and the damned - and to protecting the rights of such people from corporate and government oppression.
Larry currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Northern Colorado YMCA and has provided professional commentary on CNN's Burden of Proof.
Effective June 1, 2021 Pete enters Senior Status with Mertes Law to become semi-retired but working with other Mertes Law attorneys on selected projects.
Pete began his legal career at the Boulder County (Colorado) District Attorney's Office in 1978. After prosecuting misdemeanors in county court for two years and felonies in district court, Pete was promoted to the position of Chief Deputy District Attorney in 1985. In addition to prosecuting some of the highest profile and most serious cases in Boulder County, including complex homicides and multiple defendant cases, Pete developed a special expertise in grand jury matters at both the state and local level. In 2001, Pete was promoted to the position of Boulder County's First Assistant District Attorney.
Pete has served on the executive board for Boulder's County Juvenile I.M.P.A.C.T. program, been a member of the Boulder County Community Correction Board, and has been involved in the planning and implementation process for community initiatives involving domestic violence and drug treatment courts. In 2009 Pete assisted the Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Conference of Western Attorneys General in developing a pilot program to train prosecutors from the state of Baja, Mexico.
Since January 2009 Pete has been in private practice as a criminal defense attorney. In November 2013 Pete joined Mertes Law with a continued commitment to providing those accused of crimes with a vigorous and effective criminal defense.