Current Employment Position(s)

Member, since 1997

Lawyer Overview

Murray Ogborn is recognized as one of the nation's preeminent trial lawyers, having represented clients and tried cases across the country. He is known nationally for his use and a the development of storytelling and case thematic techniques, and the use of focus groups in the preparation and trial of cases. Named Best of the Bar in the Denver Business Journal and a Colorado Super Lawyer by magazine 5280, Murray was also elected President of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. But honors and awards don't measure what Murray brings to the table. He is a communicator without peer. He connects. Whether the audience is a jury, judge, mediator or board room full of business leaders, he finds that bond, that special lens that pulls the whole picture into focus. Honest, direct and persuasive.

Areas of practice

• Business & Commercial Disputes
• Auto and Trucking Crashes
• Personal Injury
• Product Liability
• Ethics & Professional Responsibility
• Medical Malpractice

Representative Clients

• Nucor Steel
• Vulcraft
• Halliburton Companies
• Johnson Controls
• HWS Technologies Inc.
• Homestake Mining Company
• Black & Decker
• American Simmental Association
• Central Refrigerated Freight
• Navajo Shippers, Inc.

Representative Cases

• Gall v. Terrace Park Dairy
• Harn v. Ott
• Hollman v. Liberty Mutual
• Ramirez v. Chloride Battery
• Hamm v. Block Industries
• Rose v. DeKnikker
• Prudential Insurance Company v. Thompson, et al.
• D.C.O. v. Denver Rio Grande Railroad
• Nucor Steel v. Nebraska Public Power District
• Henderson Petroleum Corporation v. Liscow & Lewis, et al.
• Pontius, et al. v. Homestake Mining Company
• Johnson v. Colin Electric
• Rinne v. Black & Decker
• Taborsky v. Black & Decker
• Brenne, et al v. American Simmental Association, et al.
• Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Co. v. Edwards
• Michael Weissmann v. Rocky Mountain Butterfly Consortium and Patrick Duran
• D.C. Concrete v. Mid-Century Insurance Company

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Contracts, Business Organizations, Construction Law, Environmental Law, Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Government Contracts, Litigation & Appeals

Bar Admissions

South Dakota
Nebraska
Colorado
U.S. District Court District of Colorado
U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
U.S. District Court District of South Dakota
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court, 1972

Professional Associations and Memberships

The State Bar of South Dakota
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, 1976 (President Elect)
The Nebraska Bar Association
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, 1986 - 1993 (Member, Board of Directors)
State Bar of Colorado
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2005 - 2006 (President)
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1993 - Present (Member of Board of Directors)
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1995 - 1996 (Member Executive Committee)
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 - Present (Member Executive Committee)
American Association for Justice, 1992 - 1993 (Executive Committee)
American Association for Justice, 1986 - 1993 (Member Board of Governors)
National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, 1989 - 1993 (Co-Chair)
National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, 1996 - 1998 (Co-Chair)
Ambassadors Committee
Commercial & Business Litigation Group Committee, 1991 - 1992 (Co-Chair)
Intellectual Property, Science and Technology Committee, 1990 - 1991 (Co-Chair)
Long Range Planning Committee
NCA Law School Program Committee
Publications Committee, 1989 - 1992
Public Affairs Committee
National College of Advocacy/Hastings Law School Advisory Committee, 1991 - 1992 (Chair)
Budget Committee, 1994 - 1996
South Dakota State Bar Association

Honors and Awards

• Fellow, International Society of Barristers

Classes and Seminars

• Medicine; Medical/Legal Seminar, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and University of South Dakota School, 1972
• "Product Liability Update", Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; Annual Convention, 1973
• "Avoiding Construction Claims", Nebraska Association of Builders and Contractors, State Convention, 1976
• "Construction Claims", Lincoln Society of Professional Engineers, 1979
• "The Ins and Outs of Construction Claims", Illinois Association of General Contractors, Winter Convention, Freeport, Bahamas, 1980
• "Construction Litigation", Nebraska Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1981
• "Psychology of Trial", Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, Spring Break, 1986
• Lecturer, Faculty Member and Dean, Harvard Advanced College of Trial Advocacy, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1988
• "Winning Trial Strategies", North Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, 1989
• "Doubling Time, What It Is and What It Isn't", American Association for Justice, Annual Convention/Cancer Litigation Symposium, 1989
• "Masters in the Art of Closing Arguments", Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and American Association for Justice, Seminar Series, Snowmass Village, Colorado, 1989
• "Trial Psychology", Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, 1989
• Weekend with the Stars, American Association for Justice, New York City, 1989
• "Psychiatric Abuse of Parents; Filleting the Philandering Psychotherapist", American Association for Justice, Medical-Legal Update, Lake Tahoe, Colorado, 1989
• Coarse Planner and Lecturer, American Association for Justice and Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Ski with the Stars Seminar, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 1990
• "The Theme of the Case", Western Trial Lawyers Association Seminar; Art of Trial Practice Seminar (Kauai, Hawaii), 1990
• "Cross-Examination", American Association for Justice; Annual Convention (San Diego, California), 1990
• "Handling Sensitive Damage Issues in Voir Dire", Nevada Trial Lawyers Association; 14th Annual Convention (Dnan Point, California), 1990
• "Handling Sensitive Issues in Voir Dire in Commercial Litigation Cases", American Association for Justice and Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; Advanced Seminars (Vail, Colorado), 1990
• Course Planner and Chair, "Filleting the Opponent's Shart: Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses" and "Voir Dire in Modern Times", American Association for Justice; Harvard Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course (Cambridge, Massachusetts), 1990
• "Direct and Cross Examination of Reconstruction Experts; Demonstration and Commentary", American Association for Justice; Collision Cases Seminar (New Orleans, Louisiana), 1990
• "Involving the Audience: Trial Lawyers Guide to Courtroom Dynamics", American Association for Justice; Weekend with the Stars (New York City), 1990
• "Courtroom Dynamics: The Verbal Edge", Maryland Trial Lawyers Association; Mid-Winter Convention (Maui, Hawaii), 1991
• "Experts", South Dakota Bar Association; Winter Meeting (Captiva Island, Florida), 1991
• "Cross Examination of the Expert Witness", American Association for Justice; New Jersey's Board Walk Seminar (Atlantic City, New Jersey), 1991
• "Trial Psychology", North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; Masters in Advocacy Seminar (North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), 1991
• "Verbal Persuasion", New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association; Ultimate Trial Seminar (Sante Fe, New Mexico), 1991
• Course Planner, Moderator and Lecturer, "Creating the Theme and Telling the Story", "Opening Statement: Creating the Group Dynamic Through Persuasion", "Esoteric Techniques - Anchoring, Refraining and Right Brain/Left Brain Persuasion", American Association for Justice; Miami Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course (Miami, Florida), 1991
• "Courtroom Persuasion", American Association for Justice; Annual Convention (Toronto, Canada), 1991
• "The Role of the Advocate in Today's Society", American Association for Justice; Trial Advocacy College at Hastings college of the Law; Essentials of Civil Practice (San Francisco), 1991
• Course Chair and Lecturer, "Opening Statement: Creating the Group Dynamic Through Persuasion", American Association for Justice; Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course at Hastings College of the Law (San Francisco, California), 1991
• "Chemical Sensitivities Cases: Legal Proof, Chemical Identification and Discovery", American Association for Justice; Emerging Trends: Exploring New Litigation Horizons (Washington, DC), 1991
• "Courtroom Dynamics', Washington State Trial Lawyers Association; AAJ All Stars Seminar (Seattle, Washington), 1991
• "Demonstration of Direct and Cross Examination of Collision Reconstructionist", American Association for Justice; Collision Cases (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 1991
• "Storytelling: Capturing Your Jury and Keeping Them Intrigued", American Association for Justice; Weekend With the Stars (New York, New York), 1991
• "Verbal Persuasion", Alabama Trial Lawyers Association; 40th Annual Mid-Winter Conference (Birmingham, Alabama), 1992
• "Storytelling", Southern Trial Lawyers Association; Fifth Annual Convention and Mardi Gras Seminar - Powerful Persuasion in Litigation (New Orleans, LA), 1992
• "Storytelling", Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; Trial Tactics: All Star Litigators from Around the Country (Denver, Colorado), 1992
• "Storytelling", South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association; 1992 Spring Seminar (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), 1992
• Court Chair and Lecturer, "Art of Persuasion", American Association for Justice; Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin), 1992
• "The Trilogy of Persuasion", Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys; 1992 Annual Meeting and Fall Seminar, AAJ All-Stars (Lincoln, Nebraska), 1992
• "Depositions: Strategies, Tactics & Mechanics", Professional Education Systems, Inc., (Denver, Colorado), 1992
• "The Ten Commandments of Jury Selection", California Trial Lawyers Association; 31st Annual Convention - Truth Through Trial (San Francisco, California), 1992
• "Storytelling", Kansas Trial Lawyers Association; Crown Center Seminar XX (Kansas City, Missouri), 1992
• "Storytelling - How to Weave Your Story Into All Aspects of Your Case", Maryland Trial Lawyers Association; All Star Seminar - How to Relate to, Communicate With, and Influence Juries (Baltimore, Maryland), 1992
• "The Opening Story", Florida Trial Lawyers Association and AAJ; Mastering Business Jury Trials: Persuasion in Commercial Litigation Cases Seminar (Orlando, FL), 1993
• Lecturer, Faculty Member and Dean, Harvard Advanced College of Trial Advocacy (Cambridge, Massachusetts), 1993
• "Pretrial Jury Fathoming - Focus Groups and Other Persuasive Aides", Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; Hot Topics in Personal Injury Seminar (Colorado Springs, Colorado), 1993
• "Storytelling in the Courtroom", Iowa Trial Lawyers Association; Trial Tips from ATLA All-Stars Seminar (Des Moines, Iowa), 1993
• "Cross-Examination: Charting Your Battle Plan", American Association for Justice; Mega Seminar (Las Vegas, Nevada), 1997
• Faculty Member, "Story Telling and Theme Creation", American Association for Justice National College of Advocacy; Art of Persuasion Harvard Ultimate Trial Advocacy College (Cambridge), 1997
• "Civility in the Practice", Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; CTLA Convention '97 (Snowmass, Colorado), 1997
• "Storytelling and Theme Building" - Conducted a Final Argument Demonstration in a Medical Negligence Case, American Association for Justice Annual Convention (San Diego, California), 1997
• Mock Trial/Focus Group Presentation, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (Denver, Colorado), 1998
• "Is 'Fair Jury' An Oxymoron Today", American Association for Justice Annual Convention (Washington, DC), 1998
• "Jurors in the Next Millenium", South Dakota Bar Association (Cancun, Mexico), 1999
• "Overcoming Juror Bias", Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (Council Bluffs, IA), 1999
• "The Thirty Minute Voir Dire", American Association for Justice, Annual Convention (San Francisco, CA - July), 2000
• "Dealing with Juror Bias", Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention (Steamboat Springs, CO - August), 2000
• Faculty Member, American Association for Justice; Deposition College (Denver, CO - March), 2001
• "The Questions You Absolutely Have to Ask in Voir Dire", American Association for Justice, Annual Convention (Montreal, Canada - July), 2001
• "Voir Dire", New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association (Manchester, NH - October), 2001
• "Civility In and Out of the Courtroom", Kansas Trial Lawyers Association (Kansas City, MO - December), 2001
• A Colorado Auto Litigation - What's Next, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, June 26, 2003
• Annual Retreat/Speaker, Judicial Arbiter Group, October 18, 2003
• Annual Meeting & All Star Seminar, Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, 2003
• A Generation X & Y: Predicting Their Characteristics and Jury Suitability, Blockbuster Seminar, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2004
• A Super Sunday, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, 2004
• A Voir Dire: The Questions You Must Ask, Blockbuster Seminar, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2005
• "Focus Groups", Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
• Depositions and Discovery, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
• Speaker, School of Law University of South Dakota, 2007

Past Employment Positions

Siegel, Barnett, Shutz, O'Keefe and Ogborn, Partner, 1968 - 1976
Nelson & Harding, Senior Trial Attorney, Head of Trial Department, 1976 - 1988
Heron, Burchette, Ruckert & Rothwell, Senior Partner, 1988 - 1989
Harding & Ogborn, Founding Partner, Head of Trial Department, 1990 - 1996
Gelt, Fleishman & Sterling, Special Counsel, 1996 - 1997

Education

University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1968
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
Honors: Chairman, Moot Court Board
Honors: Captain, National and International Moot Court Teams
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1965
B.A.
Major: History

Offers Free Initial Consultation

Accepts Credit Cards

Published Works

• Psychiatric Abuse of Patients: Filleting the Philandering Psychotherapist, 1989
• The Theory of Doubling Time - What it is and What it is Not, 1989
• Trial Psychology, 1990
• The Use of Accident Reconstruction Expert, 1990
• The Opening Story - Primary Persuasion Personified, 1991
• Scope of Expert Testimony, 1991
• Courtroom Dynamics - The Verbal Edge, 1991
• Verbal and Vocal Persuasion, 1991
• Cross Examination of Expert Witness, 1991
• Handling Sensitive Damage Issues in Voir Dire in Commercial Litigation Cases, 1991
• Handling Damage Issues in Voir Dire, 1991
• Special Cases: Products Liability - Initial Development, 1991
• Hypersensitivity to Chemical Pollutants, 1991
• Storytelling, 1991
• "The Trial Lawyer as Storyteller", Trial Diplomacy Journal, Vol. 15, No. 3, May/June, 1992
• Getting Ready for Your First Trial - Everything You Were Afraid to Ask, 1993
• Communicating Deficits to Jury and Carrier, 1993
• The Opening Story (Commercial Litigation), 1993
• Simplifying Complex Cases: Transforming Confusion Into Clarity, 1993
• Pretrial Jury Fathoming - Focus Groups and Other Persuasive Aides, 1993
• Commercial Litigation--Closing Argument: The Art of Persuasion in the Commercial Setting, 1993
• Dealing with Techno-Medical Defenses: Doubling Time and Flo Cytometry, 1993
• Discovery Strategy - A Deposition Game Plan, 1993
• "The Opening Story: Primary Persuasion Personified", National Trial Lawyer, September, 1993
• "Story Telling Throughout Trial", Trial, August, 1995
• "The Use of Focus Groups: Felicity or Foible", Gavel Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 6, October/November, 1995
• A Making Your Case Come to Life: Storytelling and Theme Creation, Forum Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 5, June, 1996
• A Once Upon A Time . . . The Lost Art of Storytelling, American Inns of Court, Lewis M. Welsh Chapter #9, April 17, 1997
• A Getting Ready For Your First Trial - Everything You Were Afraid to Ask, Prairie Barrister, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1997
• A Getting Ready For Your First Trial, Trial Talk, Vol. 47 Issue 2, 1998
• A Getting Ready For Your First Trial: Everything You Were Afraid to Ask, Alaska Trial Lawyer, Vol. 2, 199, 1998
• The Use of Focus Groups: Felicity or Foible, The Prairie Barrister, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2000
• A Making Your Case Come To Life, In Brief, Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, Vol. 11, Issue 2, July-August, 2000
• A Making Your Case Come To Life, Louisiana Advocates, June, Vol XV, Number 6, 2000
• A Bringing The Case to Live, Trial, January, 2002
• A Focus Groups, Ogborn & Zagnoli, AAJ=s Litigating Tort Cases, Chapter 36, 2003

Address

1120 Lincoln Street
Suite 1100
Denver, CO80203-2139

Phones

(303) 861-7472
(866) 967-6529 (Toll Free)

Faxes

(303) 830-8516

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