Lance Michael Sears

Lance was raised in Boulder, Colorado and received both his undergraduate degree (magna cum laude) and his law degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. From 1975 to 1979, he was Deputy District Attorney in El Paso County (Colorado Springs), where he learned trial law on a daily basis in the courtroom. His practice since then has concentrated on civil trial law.

A significant amount of Lance’s practice is in Federal Court, and in 1992, the judges of the Federal Court in Colorado appointed him to the Federal Court Advisory Committee, where he worked with his fellow lawyers and the federal judges to make federal trial practice more efficient and cost effective. In 2002, Lance was elected as the President of the Faculty of Federal Advocates (the trial lawyers who practice in Federal Court) for the Federal District Court of Colorado.

From 2001–2006, Lance was Chair of the Colorado State Judicial Performance Commission, which evaluates the performances of the justices of the Colorado Supreme Court and the judges of the Colorado Court of Appeals for purposes of making recommendations regarding their retention by the voters of Colorado.

Lance has lectured in over forty states and at national forums, and all over Colorado, on subjects involving trial skills and tactics, personal injury law, commercial torts, and legal ethics. He is certified as a Diplomate of Trial Advocacy by the National College of Advocacy, a prestigious achievement reached only after a lawyer has accumulated over 600 hours of teaching and lecturing to other lawyers, and is on the faculty and Board of Trustees of the National College of Advocacy.

Since 1982, Lance has also been on the Colorado Bar Ethics Committee, the committee that writes ethics opinions to guide Colorado lawyers in ethical standards. Lance is an advocate representing lawyer/respondents before the Colorado Grievance Committee.
Lance has over thirty-five years of trial experience. In 2003, Mr. Sears was named a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers (ISOB), a prestigious international organization with only approximately 600 members throughout the English-speaking world. He was appointed State Chair of the ISOB for the state of Colorado in 2006 to present and was elected to the Board of Governors of the ISOB and served in that position from 2008 to 2016.

Lance is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Colorado and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as before the United States Supreme Court.

Be sure to read Lance’s piece Why Contingency Fees Allow Greater Access to the Courts from The Rocky Mountain News, as well as Estates).

Current Employment Position(s):

Partner

Year Formed Present Partnership:

1991

Areas Of Practice:

• Personal Injury
• Commercial Litigation
• Grievance Defense

Litigation Percentage:

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

• Colorado, 1975
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 1975
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1979
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1979

• University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, Colorado, 1975 – J.D.
• University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado – B.A.
  Honors: Magna Cum Laude
  Major: History/English

• “Understanding the Jury Bias Model, the Rules of the Road and the Concept of Juror Safety in order to Best Present Your Case,” National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, Aurora, CO, March 13-15, 2020
• “The Ethical Use of Social Media,” South Carolina Association for Justice, Advanced Trial Lawyer, Atlanta, GA, December 6-7, 2019
• NCA Board of Trustees Retreat, Louisville, KY, November 16-19, 2019
• “The Ethical Use of Social Media,” Arizona Association for Justice, Advanced Trial Advocacy Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, October 25-26, 2019
• “The Ethical Use of Social Media,” AAJ Convention, San Diego, CA, July 2019
• “Ethical Concerns for Attorneys Using Social Media,” NCA National Webinar, June 2019
• “Trial Ethics / Opening Statements,” Ultimate Trial Advocacy College, Harvard Law School, March 16-20, 2019
• “The Effects of Fake News and Alternative Facts on Juries,” Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Convention, Cody, WY, June 27, 2018
• “The Effects of Fake News and Alternative Facts on Juries,” AAJ Weekend with the Stars, New York City, December 8-9, 2017
• “Authors and Advocates,” AAJ Annual Convention, Boston, MA, July 2017
• “Expert Witnesses: How to Research and Use Experts in Litigation,” AAJ Winter Convention, Austin, TX, February 2017
• “Developing a Trial Theme Using the Jury Bias Model,” AAJ Education, Scottsdale, AZ, 2016
• “Case Evaluation: Theming from Day One,” Western Trial Lawyers Ski Seminar, Steamboat Springs, CO, February 2016
• “Understanding and Overcoming Jury Bias Concepts for Inclusion in Developing a Case Theme,” Blockbuster Seminar CTLA, Denver, CO, January 2016
• “Case Evaluation and Theming in Complex Personal Injury Cases,” AAJ Winter Convention, Palm Springs, CA, February 2015
• “Overcoming Jury Bias in Trucking Cases,” APITLA National Interstate Trucking Conference, St. Louis, MO, June 2014
• “Professionalism and Civility in Depositions: Taking on the Rambo Litigator,” AAJ Education’s Skiing with the Stars Seminar, Deer Valley, UT, March 2014
• “What We Know about Jurors Can Help You Win Your Next Case,” AAJ Education’s Skiing with the Stars Seminar, Deer Valley, UT, March 2014
• “Case Themes, Case Theories, Case Images ”, AAJ 2013 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA July 20 – 23, 2013
• “Synthesizing the Reptile, Rules of the Road and OJB”, New Jersey Association for Justice’s Boardwalk Seminar 2013, Atlantic City, NJ, April 17 – 19, 2013
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery and Trial” AAJ’s Mid-Winter Convention, Miami, FL, February 9 – 13, 2013
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery” CTLA’s Blockbuster13, Denver, CO, January 10-11, 2013
• “ Building Your Civil Trial Skills” seminar NBI, Colorado Springs, CO, Dec 14, 2012
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery” Arizona Association for Justice, Scottsdale, AZ, October 26 – 27, 2012
• “Obstructionist Deposition Tactics” Utah Association for Justice, Salt Lake City, UT, October 4-5, 2012.
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery,” AAJ Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, July 2012
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery,” The Jury Bias Model 2TM: The Start of the Revolution – Applying the Principles from Discovery to Closing, Las Vegas, NV, March 29-31, 2012
• “Deposing the Expert and Handling the Obstructionist Lawyer in Depositions,” Advanced Depositions College, AAJ, New Orleans, January 2012.
• “Using PowerPoint Questioning for Time-Limited Voir Dire and to Set up Challenges for Cause,” Mass Torts, April 2011
• “Rules of Marketing,” American Association for Justice, New York City, July 2011
• “Understanding the Role of Bias in Discovery.” American Association for Justice, Winter, January 2010
• “Deposing the Corporate Designee,” American Association for Justice, 2010
• “Microexpressions and Body Language,” American Association for Justice, 2010
• “Accessing the Reptilian Brain through Rules and Codes,” Florida Justice Association Winter Ski CLE Seminar, December 14, 2009.
• “Accessing the Reptilian Brain through Rules and Codes,” Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Sidney T. Marable Advanced Trial Advocacy Conference, November 7, 2009.
• “How to Handle Rambo Litigator Tactics During Depositions: The Law and Strategy”, SeminarWeb program, March 31, 2009
• “How Madison Avenue Influences Jurors” or “Persuasion Through Marketing and Branding”, Psychology of Persuasion: How Is the Economy Impacting Your Jury?, American Association for Justice, March 13-14, 2009
• “Dealing with the Rambo Litigator”, Advanced Depositions College, American Association for Justice, January 2009
• “Developing a Trial Theme Through Discovery Using The Jury Bias Model”, Florida Justice Association, December 12-16, 2008
• “Developing a Trial Theme Through Discovery Using The Jury Bias Model” Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, August 2008
• “Personal Responsibility & Victimization”, American Association for Justice, Philadelphia, PA, July 11-15, 2008
• “Jury Selection”, Medical Seminar, Steamboat, CO, Feb. 29 – Mar. 2, 2008
• “Using Depositions to Overcome Jury Bias” Advanced Depositions College, American Association for Justice, January 10-14, 2008
• Overcoming Jury Bias – Persuasion – Las Vegas, NV – November 16-17, 2007
• Advanced Depositions College – New Orleans, LA – January 2007
• Advocacy Track: “Dealing with the Rambo Litigator” – 2007 Winter Convention – Miami, FL – February 2007
• Jazz Fest: “Litigating Auto Collision Cases: Slaying the Insurance Beast”, 2007
• Advocacy Track: Developing Your Case Theme Through Discovery – 2007 Annual Convention – Chicago, IL – July 2007
• Advanced Depositions College – Denver, CO – March 2006
• Advocacy Track: Panel: “How to Uncover and Prevail on a Challenge for Cause” – 2006
• Annual Convention – Seattle, WA – July 2006
• Psychology of Persuasion: “What You Need to Know to Win for Your Client” – Atlanta, GA – September 2006
• Overcoming Juror Bias College Part II: “The Ten Commandments” – Denver, CO – October 2006
• Depositions, Trial Advocacy College, New Orleans, LA – January 2005
• Jazz Fest: Litigating Auto Collision Cases Seminar – New Orleans, LA – April 2005
• 2005 Annual Convention – Toronto, Canada – July 2005
• Overcoming Juror Bias Part I: The Five Juror Perceptions and Beliefs – Atlanta, GA – October 2005
• “Theming Your Case” – Weekend With the Stars – New York, NY – December 2005
• “Preparing an Effective Direct and Cross Exam”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2004
• “Selecting a Jury in the Age of Jury Bias and Lawyer Bashing”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2004
• “Overcoming Juror Bias Part II: The Ten Commandments” – Santa Fe, NM – October 2004
• “Grievance Prosecutors”, Colorado District Attorneys Conference, 2003
• “Making Facts Come Alive with Exhibits in Opening”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2003
• “Compelling use of Modern Themes in your Low Impact Cases”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2003
• “Theming Your Case: A Methodology”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2003
• “Overcoming Jury Bias College” – Scottsdale, AZ – February 2003
• Auto Cases Seminar During Jazz Fest – New Orleans, LA – May 2003
• Advocacy Track: Panel: “Opening Statement: Making Facts Come Alive with Exhibits in Opening” – 2003 Annual Convention – San Francisco, CA – July 2003
• Overcoming Juror Bias College – Atlanta, GA – October 2003
• “The New Millennium Client”, Kansas Trial Lawyers, 2002
• “Theming Your Case”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2002
• “Using and Applying Focus Group Results”, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
• “Daubert is not only for Defendants: What Every Plaintiff’s Lawyer Must Know”, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
• “Using Persuasive Themes at Trial”, National Continuing Legal Education Conference, 2002
• “Ethics for Plaintiffs Lawyers”, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2001
• “The Keys to a Successful Direct Examination”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2001
• “Using Daubert and Its Progeny as a Sword”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2001
• “Daubert is not only for Defendants: What Every Plaintiff’s Lawyer Must Know”, National College of Advocacy, 2001
• “Law Firm Management: The 10 Principles to Success”, PESI Absolute Litigators Conference, 2001
• “Deposing the Expert Witness”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2001
• “Developing a Trial Theme: A Concise Methodology for Every Case”, National CLE Conference, 2001
• “What Every Plaintiff’s Lawyer Needs to Know About Avoiding Malpractice and Grievances”, Kansas Trial Lawyers, 2000
• “What to do if you Receive a Grievance Complaint”, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2000
• “Preparing your Client for Her Deposition”, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2000
• “The Law & Art of the Opening Statement”, Ultimate Trial Advocacy College, 1993
• “Preparing the Client for Deposition”, Association of Trial Lawyers, 1993
• “Evaluating and Presenting Closed Head Injury Cases”, National College of Advocacy, 1993

• Avvo Superb 10.0 Rated
• Martindale-Hubbell A/V Rated
• International Society of Barristers
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Super Lawyers, 2007 – Present
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• Best Lawyers in America, 2014 – Present
• Trial Lawyers Board of Regents, 2015 Litigator Award Winner
• ATLA Citation of Excellence, 1990

• Faculty of Federal Advocates, 2002
  President
• National College of Advocacy, 1995 – 2020
  Board of Trustees
• National College of Advocacy, 1992
  Certified Diplomat
• National College of Advocacy, 2015
  Master of Trial Law Champion
• Colorado State Judicial Qualification Commission, 1997 – 2006
  Member/Chair
• International Society of Barristers, 2003 – Present
  Fellow
• Belli Society, 2004 – Present
  Member
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1979 – Present
  Member
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1990 – 1996
  Board of Governors
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1988 – 1990
  State Delegate
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1991
  ATLA PAC Vice–Chair
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1993 – 1994
  Co–Chair Peoples’ Law School
• Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1982 – Present
  Board of Directors
• Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1988 – 1989
  President
• Western Trial Lawyers Association
  Charter Member
• Western Trial Lawyers Association, 1998 – 2010
  Board of Directors
• American Bar Association, 1979 – Present
  Member
• Colorado Bar Association, 1975 – Present
  Member
• Colorado Bar Association, 1983 – Present
  Ethics Committee
• El Paso County Bar Association, 1975 – Present
  Member
• District of Colorado Federal Civil Justice Advisory Committee, 1991 – 1995
• District of Colorado Federal Court Vacancy Commission, 1998
• Fourth Judicial District Judicial Qualification Commission, 1994 – 2001