SOUTH DENVER COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE - Key Persons
James Cordes is an attorney, mediator and arbitrator who practices family law exclusively. Licensed in 2010, he began practicing family law in early 2011 at boutique law firms focusing on high asset and complex divorce litigation. While an experienced litigator and appellate attorney, James is a strong believer in reaching fair resolutions without resorting to trial. Drawing upon his experience as a mediator, James understands his clients' needs while providing effective, honest and high-level legal advice to reach fair resolutions.
James obtained his B.A. at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his Juris Doctor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, is a contributing author to the Colorado Lawyer and Law Week Colorado, and is regularly faculty at family law education courses. James is an active member of the Sotomayor Inn of Court, sits on the Board of Directors for the Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, and is on the Execute Committee of the Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
Patrick Janssen is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Wealth Advisor with New Beginnings Divorce Financial Solutions, who specializes in creating an equitable financial agreement for couples going through divorce. Having direct and indirect exposure to divorce as a Financial Advisor, Patrick fully appreciates how a CDFA® (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®) can help clients understand how the financial decisions today will impact the client's financial future, based on certain assumptions. Since 2012, he has successfully created financial plans for hundreds of divorce cases working with individuals, couples, family law attorneys, and mediators. He is passionate about helping others avoid the common financial mistakes that often occur and can adversely impact lifestyle quality for many years.
Prior to establishing a successful divorce financial planning business working with business owners and corporate executives, Patrick spent twenty-three years as an experienced leader building and leading service organizations establishing industry standards for operational excellence and premier client experience. His background includes the successful launch of five business startups as well as executive level operations leadership for several Fortune 500 companies.
Patrick earned a BS Finance degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and his MBA from the University of Denver Executive MBA program. He holds the designation of CDFA® (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®), CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor SM), and APMA® (Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor SM).
Patrick continues to spend his free time snow and water skiing, motorcycling, hiking, exercising, and flying. He has a son and daughter, both adults, and stays actively involved with his church. Patrick is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others both professionally and personally.