Janet R. Spies is one of the founders of Spies, Powers & Robinson, P.C. Ms. Spies has been rated an “AV” lawyer, a rating reserved for those lawyers recognized by their peers for preeminent legal ability and adherence to very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar.
Ms. Spies has litigated hundreds of cases involving first and third party claims, including claims involving personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, specialty risks, bad faith, construction defects, complex commercial litigation, employment and discrimination, lender liability, professional malpractice, misrepresentation and fraud, consumer protection, condemnation, contractual disputes, coverage issues, arbitration, regulatory proceedings, administrative proceedings and trespass. She also handles appellate matters, appearing before the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court. Ms. Spies regularly prepares and presents seminars to insurers and attorneys regarding trial advocacy, claims handling, file documentation, discovery and the control of defense costs.
Immediately following her admission to the Colorado Bar, Ms. Spies worked as a consultant for CIGNA, where she was responsible for directing litigation and handling large claims in personal and commercial lines, including self-insured accounts. While consulting for CIGNA, Ms. Spies developed a series of workshops aimed at helping claims professionals direct litigation and control defense costs. Prior to the formation of Spies, Powers & Robinson, Ms. Spies was a shareholder of a large regional law firm with offices in Denver, Colorado and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ms. Spies obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Colorado State University. During her undergraduate training, Ms. Spies worked for the Colorado Public Defender’s office in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she assisted in the investigation of criminal matters. While attending law school, Ms. Spies worked as a law clerk for several law firms in Boulder and Denver, Colorado, and represented indigent clients through the University of Colorado Legal Aid Division. During her third year in law school, Ms. Spies competed in the University of Colorado ATLA Mock Trial Competition, and was awarded first place. She also received the American Jurisprudence Award in Administrative Law.
Ms. Spies is admitted to practice before the Colorado State Courts, the Colorado Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Spies is a member of and has served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association since 2000. She is currently serving as the Colorado State Representative for the Defense Research Institute. Ms. Spies has been active in the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, the Denver Claims Association, and the Defense Research Institute, and served as the liaison for the Colorado Caucus on Tort Reform
Classes/Seminars Taught
Handling Claims in Colorado, Seminar presented annually to claims professional
Instructor, Annual CDLA Trial Academy, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Instructor, PPO’s and Bad Faith in Colorado, NHR Forum on Auto Managed Care in Colorado, National Healthcare Resources, Inc. (June, 2001)
CLE Instructor, Colorado Auto Insurance Law and Accident Litigation, Lorman Education Services, Colorado Bar Association CLE (February, 2001)
CLE Instructor, Evidentiary Issues and Procedures in Civil Trials, Lorman Education Services, Colorado Bar Association CLE (August, 2000)
Ex Parte Communications with Treating Physicians, Seminar presented to various insurers
The Colorado Auto Accident Reparations Act, Seminar presented to various insurers
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Colorado, Seminar presented to various insurers
Insurance Bad Faith in Colorado, Seminar presented to various insurers
Controlling Defense Costs, Seminar presented to various insurers
Litigation Workshop, Seminar presented to various insurers
Demand Letters, File Documentation and Bad Faith, Seminar presented to various insurers
Community Involvement and Affiliations
Member, Community Action Network, Denver Bar Association
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Mentor, Learn to Read Program
Member, Board of Directors, Alpine Chorale
Published Cases
Midwest Mut. Ins. Co. v. Roland, 971 P.2d 295, (Colo. App. 1998)
Huntoon v. TCI Cablevision, Inc., 969 P.2d 681 (Colo. 1998)
Huntoon v. TCI Cablevision, Inc., 948 P.2d 33 (Colo. App. 1997)
Spedding v. Motor Vehicle Dealer Bd., 931 P.2d 480 (Colo. App. 1996)
Hewitt v. Pitkin County Bank & Trust Co., 931 P.2d 456 (Colo. App. 1995)
Allied Mut. Ins. Co. v. Home Ins. Co., 797 P.2d 763 (Colo. App. 1990)
Professional Affiliations
Member, Colorado and Denver Bar Associations
Member, and Director, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Member, and current Colorado State Representative, Defense Research Institute
“AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Recognition, Law & Politics and 5280 Magazine, Colorado Super Lawyer 2006, 2007
Recognition, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008
