7 Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Top Lawyers by 5280 Magazine

Messner Reeves is proud to announce that seven of our Denver-based attorneys have been named in the 5280 Top Lawyers list! Put together by 5280 Magazine, the Top Lawyers list is comprised of attorneys spanning dozens of categories from criminal law to bankruptcy to insurance and more.

Attorneys across the Denver metro area are invited to nominate their most respected peers, who are then rated and ranked based on information from interviews, surveys and stringent vetting. Out of over 17,000 licensed attorneys actively practicing in the Denver area, we are incredibly proud that seven Messner Reeves attorneys made the list.

Congratulations to:

David A. Reeves, Managing Partner

As head of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, David represents his clients in all types of real estate transactions, providing valuable advice and guidance, and contributing to their growth and success. Various aspects of his practice include acquisition, sales, development, financing, lending, management and leasing of commercial, retail, industrial and residential properties; negotiating and drafting purchase and sale contracts; and real estate due diligence, including title and survey examination.

Michelle L. Harden, Managing Partner

As part of the firm’s Litigation and Health Law Practice Groups, Michelle represents individuals and businesses, large and small, in resolving disputes and in all aspects of litigation and trial. Although a significant portion of her practice focuses on representation of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, as well as hospitals and other health care entities, she represents many businesses from various sectors. Acting in an inside counsel role, she oversees litigation throughout the United States for a large publicly traded company.

Bruce A. Montoya, Partner

Mr. Montoya’s practice includes a strong emphasis on medical malpractice defense, high exposure and class-action cases as well as complex commercial litigation cases. Mr. Montoya joined Messner Reeves LLP in 1995. Since that time, he has spearheaded the growth and successes of our award-winning litigation practice through his incredible trial skills and successes. In recognition of those successes, Mr. Montoya was inducted into the International Society of Barristers in 2002, has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 2006, and recently named to the Board of Governors. In addition, he has also been admitted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL). The IATL is recognized as the most prestigious organization of trial lawyers in the world with a membership limited to 500 active trial lawyers in the United States and includes the best trial attorneys from 40 countries around the world.

Wade Warthen, Partner

With over 25 years of experience, including positions as in-house counsel at a Denver-based REIT and at the country’s second-largest privately held corporation, Wade concentrates his practice on commercial real estate transactions of all types, including leases and amendments for landlords and tenants; purchases and sales from contract through closing; loan documents and financing arrangements; construction contracts; title, survey, and due diligence evaluations; boundary, access, and easement issues; development, land use, and zoning concerns; lien rights; and real estate regulatory compliance.

Douglas C. Wolanske, Partner

Douglas has over 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer and has obtained over 50 jury verdicts, primarily in medical malpractice trials. His practice has focused on the defense of complex litigation including medical negligence claims and professional liability in both New York and Colorado. Mr. Wolanske has been a member of ABOTA since 2011 and, in 2014, was named Colorado Lawyer of the Year by Law Week Colorado.

We are truly honored to have so many of our Denver attorneys nominated by their peers and selected to be among Denver’s Top Lawyers. Congratulations to the awardees!