LAW FIRM OF BROWN GREN ABRAHAM & MCCRACKEN - Key Persons
Mr. Royer earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Pre-Law from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs in 2015. After graduation, he attended an ABA-approved paralegal certificate program at the Community College of Aurora, where he graduated in 2016.
He worked as a litigation paralegal at a general practice law firm, mainly doing plaintiff personal injury law, for 2.5 years before attending law school at the University of Wyoming. While in law school, he externed at the General Counsel's Office of the University of Wyoming and has been clerking for Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC since June 2020.
He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2021 with Honors and as one of the top 20 students in his class. He loves doing workers' compensation because it brings together his favorite practice areas - personal injury and employment law.
In his off hours, Mr. Royer enjoys the gym, hiking, cooking, craft beer, and watching/attending sporting events. Go Nuggets!
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense
Ms. Lavery earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors with majors in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Denver in 1992. She earned her law degree from the University of Denver in 1995. After law school, she did not pursue work in the legal field and instead worked in management, sales, and consulting positions in both large corporate settings and in small local businesses. She returned to the legal profession in 2010 where she worked as a paralegal in the areas of family law and juvenile law before joining Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, in the area of workers' compensation. She sat for the Colorado Bar exam and was admitted in 2012.
Ms. Lavery's prior management and business background allow her to work diligently to provide excellent legal defense to her insurer and employer clients, to whom she also regularly counsels on the ever-changing and evolving analysis of legal issues and the law. Ms. Lavery also enjoys working as a trainer/mentor for Associate Attorneys at Lee and Brown, as well as facilitating the Law Clerk program at the firm. She is a member of Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, Professionals in Workers' Compensation, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, and the Colorado Self-Insurers Association.
Outside of the firm, she has also worked pro bono as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for Children with Denver CASA since 2009 and continues to remain involved with that organization, even when not handling CASA cases. In her spare time, she enjoys Pilates and makes it a priority to walk, hike, or garden in the Colorado outdoors every day.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Co - Chairman of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Practice areas: General Liability, Health Insurance Provider Recovery, Insurance Defense, Subrogation, Workers' Compensation Defense, Credit Bankruptcy, Business Litigation.
EXPERIENCE
Frank M. Cavanaugh is an AV-rated attorney who is a past Colorado Bar Association Lance Butler award winner for professionalism. He has been representing employers and their carriers in workers' compensation matters for over 20 years. Mr. Cavanaugh has handled all aspects of workers' compensation litigation from hearings to appeals before the Colorado Supreme Court. Mr. Cavanaugh has also handled workers' compensation subrogation matters and workers' compensation disability related employment claims. He has litigated general liability cases, including slip and fall, as well as auto liability cases.
Mr. Cavanaugh has served as a co-chairman of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association workers' compensation section, has prepared and presented educational materials for continuing legal education seminars and has been qualified as an expert in workers' compensation in district court litigation. In non-law related settings, Mr. Cavanaugh has served as a zoning board member for the City of Lakewood and prepared and instructed paralegal and standardized test preparation courses for tests such as the LSAT, GRE, GMAT, SAT and ACT.
Mr. Cavanaugh received his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1991. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and Colorado Defense Lawyers Associations.
Mr. Cavanaugh was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2019-2021).
Practice areas: General Liability, Workers' Compensation Defense
Jessica Melson graduated from Saint Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She received her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2010 and became a licensed attorney in the State of Colorado the same year.
Prior to joining Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, Ms. Melson was selected for a Judicial Fellowship with the Honorable Sheila A. Rappaport in Denver District Court. She also worked in the areas of: insurance defense, including personal injury, construction defect, and contract liability; energy regulation; employment and labor law; and estate planning. Ms. Melson has also provided pro-bono legal services for the Colorado Lawyers Committee and Metro Volunteer Lawyers.
Since joining Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, Ms. Melson's career has focused on defending employers and insurers in workers' compensation matters. She has handled various aspects of workers' compensation litigation and successfully defended issues involving compensability, limiting average weekly wage (AWW), exclusion of bonuses from AWW, and medical benefits.
She is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, and Professionals in Workers' Compensation.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense
Mr. Abraham, a founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, focuses his practice on representing insurance carriers and employers in workers' compensation litigation. He prides himself in personally handling each claim in an aggressive manner while keeping the client both informed of the progress of their case and in the drivers' seat regarding the litigation. This styled approach allows him to be a step ahead of his clients' opponents which typically leads to the elimination of claims in an expeditious manner.
Mr. Abraham has extensive experience handling complex claims and achieving the client's goals with reducing overall costs as a primary objective. His comprehensive knowledge of both the law and its practical application allows him to work with numerous well-known corporations, broad-based Fortune 500 companies, and small business owners to resolve disputes through hearing, appeal or mediation. He has helped obtain successful judgments, dismissals, and settlements for his clients which include major food distribution companies, temporary staffing agencies, oilfield and energy service providers, large retail merchandisers, nursing home and long-term care providers, as well as several insurance companies. He regularly counsels employers, carriers and claims administrators and has served as faculty regarding upcoming legislation and statutory changes that make a significant impact on claims.
Mr. Abraham is a native of El Paso, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He relocated to Denver and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Following law school, Mr. Abraham served as a judicial fellow for the Honorable Valeria Spencer in the 18 th Judicial District of Colorado. While in this position, he gained valuable research and writing experience as well as exposure to diverse areas of civil and criminal litigation. He is licensed to practice law in both Colorado and Texas and is a member of the Colorado, Texas and Denver Bar Associations. Mr. Abraham is proficient in Spanish and Portuguese and has acted informally as a Spanish legal interpreter.
Mr. Abraham has been selected for the third year as one of Colorado's Ten Best Attorneys in Workers' Compensation by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. Mr. Abraham was selected as a Rising Star in Colorado by Super Lawyers for 2019.
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation Defense Litigation - 100%
Education
J.D. - University of Denver Sturm College of Law
B.A. - University of Texas at Austin
Mr. Jonathan Gourlay attended Marquette University Law School graduating in 2017. Thereafter, Mr. Gourlay worked representing various corporate clients in the areas of collections, landlord tenant, subrogation, and insurance defense. He has experience trying cases as well as negotiating settlements in formal and informal negotiations.
In his free-time Mr. Gourlay enjoys hiking, fishing, biking, playing soccer, playing hockey, and training his two German Shepherds
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
- Member of the Colorado Bar Association
Practice areas: General Liability, Insurance Defense, Subrogation, Workers' Compensation Defense, Business Litigation.
EXPERIENCE
Joseph W. Gren, a founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, received a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation, he earned a Masters of Resources Law, with concentrations in environmental and energy law and policy, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009. During law school, Mr. Gren was a member of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Transportation Law Journal, a recipient of the Berry Conversation Law Fellowship and a student attorney in the D.U. Civil Litigation Clinic, representing low-income clients in a wide range of civil disputes, and served as a research assistant drafting multiple publications on endangered species law.
Mr. Gren is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Arizona. His practice areas include, general liability, insurance coverage and liability law, business law, complex subrogation claims, workers' compensation focusing on employer and uninsured employer defense, property premises liability, and auto liability claims.
Mr. Gren served as the Chair for the Workers' Compensation Section of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association from 2012-2014.
Mr. Gren is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, Arizona Bar Association, Denver Bar Association, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, Professionals in Workers' Compensation, and of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
Practice areas: Employment Defense and Counseling, General Liability, Insurance Defense, Subrogation, Workers' Compensation Defense, Business Litigation
EXPERIENCE
Mr. Brown, a founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, continues his focus on representing insurance carriers and employers in workers' compensation, employment law and general liability claims in Colorado and Utah. Mr. Brown has been practicing in Colorado since 2005 and handles matters arising under such laws as Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA), Colorado Wage Act and the Fair Labor Standard Act. Over these years Mr. Brown has successfully defended employers against claims of workers' compensation, discrimination, harassment, retaliation based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability, in addition to local discrimination laws.
He has also represented employers in the enforcement of employment contracts, including breach of contract matters, non-compete and trade secret issues. He regularly counsels clients on the spectrum of employment issues, with the goal of avoiding litigation. Mr. Brown advises and assists employers in developing and enforcing proper employment contracts and policies, employment handbooks and compensation agreements.
Mr. Brown has represented clients in federal and state judicial and administrative proceedings, including those before federal district courts, state appellate courts, district and county courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the Colorado Department of Labor. Mr. Brown has successfully obtained defense verdicts in three trials, two of which involved juries within the state court system. These matters involved complicated claims of bad faith insurance, fraud, wage and discrimination type claims. Mr. Brown has also successfully defended numerous workers' compensation claims at the Colorado Department of Labor.
Mr. Brown is admitted to practice law in the states of Colorado and Utah and is a member of the Colorado, Utah and Denver Bar Associations as well as the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Brown was named a Rising Star in the area of Employment Law Defense and Workers' Compensation Defense by Colorado Super Lawyers for 2014-2019. Mr Brown was was honored by his peers to be named a Colorado Super Lawyer for 2020.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense
EXPERIENCE
Ms. Treece, a founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, is a trial lawyer with over 40 years of litigation experience. Ms. Treece is recognized as one of the premier workers' compensation defense lawyers in the State of Colorado. Ms. Treece began her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney and as a law clerk to the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Ms. Treece then gleaned experience in the civil defense arena. She specialized in toxic torts, governmental entity, premises, and major litigation defense.
Karen has devoted her practice to the defense of employers sued under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. Ms. Treece has implemented a workers' compensation defense system which historically has produced exceptional results for employers. Ms. Treece has successfully tried all aspects of workers' compensation cases in every venue in Colorado, including numerous appearances at both the Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.
Ms. Treece was selected by her peers as a Colorado Super Lawyer in the Workers' Compensation-Employers practice area from 2006-2010 and 2017-202020. Ms Treece was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers 2012-2020 and was selected as a Best Lawyers' Denver Workers' Compensation Law - Employers "Lawyer of the Year" in 2015 and again in 2018. For 2020, Ms. Treece was selected as a Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers.
Ms. Treece recently authored an article, The Workers' Compensation System as a Prescription for Addiction, for Best Lawyers, January 2018. "This article was originally published with Best Lawyers® "Legal Insights" on www.BestLawyers.com."
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense, Insurance Defense, Appeals
Ms. Frances McCracken, a founding Member of Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1988, after graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law, where she was a Rothgerber Moot Court finalist and professorial assistant teaching appellate advocacy. Ms. McCracken clerked for the late Honorable James M. Robb before joining a Colorado insurance defense firm, where she became a shareholder. For the past 30 years, Ms. McCracken's practice has concentrated on the defense of insurance companies and their insureds in a variety of cases, primarily workers' compensation, but also including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and appeals. She handles claims before the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts through the appellate courts, including the Colorado State District Courts, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Court.
In the area of workers' compensation, Ms. McCracken represents self-insured and insured employers, third-party administrators and insurance companies in the defense and litigation of matters throughout the state of Colorado. She represents a wide array of clients from small businesses through Fortune 500 companies, including nationwide retail stores, food production and distribution companies, energy companies, home health agencies, residential care facilities, local school districts and multiple large insurance companies. Ms. McCracken is experienced in all aspects of the litigation process, including pre-litigation, discovery, depositions, hearings, trials and appeals, as well as arbitration, mediation, and case settlement.
Ms. McCracken is a past board member and President of the Women's Resource Center, past Director of Hilltop Rehabilitation Hospital, past board member and President, Warren McKerrow Aids Foundation, and recipient of Colorado Mesa State University's Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, and the Denver Bar Association. Ms. McCracken has, on multiple occasions over the years, presented seminars and training for employers and adjusters on issues involving workers' compensation.
Recognizing the concern of her clients for prompt service and control of costs, Ms. McCracken prides herself on providing assertive, professional and ethical service on a timely basis at a reasonable expense for her clients in all forums. She is strongly committed to client service, and is highly results-oriented.
Ms. McCracken was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. (2021)
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense
Mr. Matt Boatwright graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2006 with a B.A. in Political Science. Thereafter, Mr. Boatwright earned his J.D., as well as a Graduate Degree in Civil Law, from Louisiana State University in 2010. Mr. Boatwright became a member of the Louisiana bar in October of 2010 and returned to Colorado to become licensed in May of 2011.
Mr. Boatwright has been with Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, since February of 2012 and is experienced in defending employers and insurers in workers' compensation matters. Mr. Boatwright is a member of the Colorado Defense Lawyer's Association and recently contributed as a writer for the 2013 Annual Survey of Colorado Law section for workers' compensation. Mr. Boatwright has been a member of the Professionals in Workers' Compensation Board of Directors since 2019.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Associate at Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken
Practice areas: Workers' Compensation Defense
Michael Salazar, an Associate at Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC, is from Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Salazar attended the University of Dubuque where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with minors in Business Administration and Accounting. While at the University of Dubuque Mr. Salazar played baseball and was a three-time All-Academic All-Conference and an All-Conference Honorable Mention. He also participated in Moot Court and Mediation.
He then attended the University of Colorado Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2020. While in law school, Mr. Salazar participated in Mock Trial and was on the National Mock Trial Team. He was also awarded the Order of the Barristers for excellence in advocacy and service. Additionally, he was a student attorney in the C.U. Criminal Defense Clinic representing low-income clients in a wide range of criminal disputes and received an award for excellence in clinical education. Mr. Salazar also clerked for two State District Court Judges.
Mr. Andrew R. Van Orsdale is an Associate Attorney at Brown Gren Abraham & McCracken, LLC. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in 2007, from Georgetown University with a Certificate in Paralegal Studies in 2008, and from Washburn University School of Law with a JD in 2016. A member of the Colorado Bar Association, he is licensed to practice law in Colorado state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
William Sterck has over 35 years' experience as an attorney in workers' compensation law. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Sterck attended college earning an AA, BA, and MA. Mr. Sterck started in the workers' compensation field as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 1983. Mr. Sterck was a law clerk for CCIA (Now Pinnacol) and worked in a small firm where he began his own general practice. The areas of practice were contracts, property, domestic and Workers' Compensation claims, including subrogation. In 2001, Mr. Sterck joined a large firm, becoming a partner in 2006. The firm was devoted to workers' compensation defense as well as subrogation, short term, and long-term disability claims.
Having experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), Mr. Sterck believes he has additional experience that works well in workers' compensation defense. Mr. Sterck has experience in appeals at all levels, producing an understanding of the system leading to great results on his cases. Mr. Sterck has also been a presenter in many continuing education programs.
Mr. Sterck is active on the Colorado Bar Association Workers' Compensation Executive Council, is an Affiliated Assistant Professor at the University of Norther Colorado, and is active in The American Legion. Mr. Sterck has a Martindale Hubbell Rating of AV-Preeminent, which is the highest available, 2014-2020. Mr. Sterck has been recognized by Best Lawyers, 2013-2020, in the field of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Mr. Sterck was also selected by his peers as "Lawyer of the Year" for Workers' Compensation-Employers in 2016.