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James V. Pearson

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Location:

Lakewood, CO

Phone:

Fax:

303-996-8611

Email:

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Mr. Pearson has 40 years' experience in business law, business management and consulting.  He has received a Martindale-Hubbell top AAV@ rating for attorneys and is President of Pearson & Paris, P.C., a prestigious Colorado law firm which emphasizes commercial transactions and litigation, real estate, banking, insurance and recreation law.  Mr. Pearson has an extensive background in business transactions and litigation and he routinely advises on matters related to both.  He founded the RiverReach Youth Initiative (now know as cityWILD), an organization that helps young people gain a sense of responsibility to their community and environment, rewarding participating youth with recreational outings.  He holds a B.S. and Juris Doctorate degrees and lectures frequently in the areas of business and related liability issues including recreational liability.  He is also a past contributing editor for Adventure Travel Business Magazine and the American Bicyclist.

Areas Of Practice

  • Business Transactions
  • Corporate Law
  • Insurance Defense
  • Recreation Law
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Banks and Banking
  • Commercial Litigation
  • International Law

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker
  • Certified Ski Instructor, emeritus status, Professional Ski Instructors of America

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 1978
  • U.S. Federal Court, 1978

Education

  • University of Denver College of Law, Denver, Colorado
    • J.D. - 1978
  • University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
    • M.B.A. - 1976
  • Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
    • B.S. - 1971
    • Major: Government and Economics

Published Works

  • Litigation Basics for the Layperson, 2006
  • Declaratory Judgment Actions, Insurance Coverage and Statutes of Limitation a Issues for Counsel, 2006
  • Compensation Issues in the Adventure and Recreation Industry, 2005
  • Staffing Issues in the Adventure and Recreation Industry, 2004
  • Organizing a Business: Risk Management Perspectives, 2003
  • Rick Management and Insurance, International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Show, 2002
  • Risk Management and Insurance Issues in Sport Tourism, Journal of Vacation Marketing, 1999
  • The Americans With Disabilities Act, The Outdoor Network, Fall, 1997
  • America Outdoors Operations and Compliance Manual, November, 1996
  • Employment Law - Fundamentals, September, 1996
  • Limited Liability Companies -America Outdoors, February, 1996
  • Market Expansion Through Special Populations, World Congress on Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, November, 1995
  • A Walking Nightmare - Employment Law Fundamentals, Outdoor Retailer, February, 1995
  • Legal Liability and Insurance -- What You Don't Know Can Put You Out of Business, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, August, 1994
  • Economics - The Engine That Powers the Vehicle Of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Travel Society Newsletter, Winter, 1994
  • Legal Issues Which Limit the Growth of Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, The World Congress on Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, November, 1993
  • Recreation Law - An Overview, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., September, 1993
  • Limiting Your Liability - Legal Fundamentals For Your Retail Survival, Outdoor Retailer, August, 1993
  • Liability Issues In Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, 1992 World Congress on Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, November, 1992
  • Staffing and Compensation Issues in the Outdoor Recreation Industry - 2013
  • Risk Management and Insurance for the Adventure Travel Business – 2010

Representative Cases

  • Omnibank Iliff, N.A. v. John J. Tipton, et al., 843 P.2d 71, 1992, Colo. App.
  • Carol Lahey v. Rick Covington, et al., 964 F. Supp. 1440, 1996, D. Colo.
  • Omnibancorp and KeyCorp Merger
  • U.S. Global Opportunities Offering and Investment in Glomato.com
  • Acquisition of Dynamic Plastics, Inc. and Mulay Plastics by Xpectra, Inc.
  • Kabool Electronics Co., Ltd. Investment in Caleb Technology Corp.

Representative Clients

  • Colorado Marine Dealers Association
  • American Wildlands
  • Colorado Humane Society
  • FDIC

References

  • Colorado Humane Society, Denver, Colorado
  • Omni Bank, Denver, Colorado
  • Colorado Marine Dealers Association

Classes/Seminars

  • Opening New Doors to the Outdoors, Golden, Colorado, 2007 to 2007
  • Presenter, Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Declaratory Judgment Actions, Insurance Coverage, 2006 to 2006
  • Presenter, Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Adventure and Recreation Industry, 2005 to 2005
  • Presenter, Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Adventure and Recreation Industry, 2004 to 2004
  • Presenter, Adventures in Travel Expo, New York, New York
  • Presenter, Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Vail, Colorado, 2003 to 2003
  • Presenter, International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Show, Chicago, Illinois, 2001 to 2002
  • Speaker, World Congress on Adventure Travel and Ecotourism, Anchorage, Alaska, 2000 to 2000
  • Clifton Gunderson Seminar, Broomfield, Colorado, 1999 to 1999
  • Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Denver, Colorado, 1999 to 1999
  • Speaker, Conference on Travel, Events and Management in Sports, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1998 to 1998
  • Speaker, Teaming for Success: A Forum on Sport Tourism, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1997 to 1997
  • America Outdoors Conference, America Outdoors Business Operations and Compliance Manual, Jekyll Island, Georgia, 1996 to 1996
  • Speaker, Interbike, Anaheim, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Speaker, Western Association of Athletic Clubs, Copper Mountain, Colorado, 1996 to 1996
  • National Outdoor Industry Rendezvous, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1996 to 1996
  • Speaker, America Outdoors Conference, Reno, Nevada, 1995 to 1995
  • Speaker, Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Reno, Nevada, 1995 to 1995
  • Speaker, National Institute of Accountants, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
  • Chairman and Speaker, World Congress on Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1994 to 1994
  • Speaker, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1994 to 1994
  • Speaker, International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates, 1993 to 1993
  • Speaker, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Project, Denver, CO., 1993 to 1993
  • Speaker, Omni Bancorp Conference, Denver, CO, 1989 to 1989
  • Contributing Editor and Columnist, American Bicyclist Magazine, 1997 to 1999
  • Contributing Editor and Columnist, Adventure Travel Business Magazine, 1997 to 1999
  • October, 2016 – Wilderness Risk Management Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, Presenter on employment, staffing, and compensation issues which impact the outdoor recreation industry
  • January, 2016 – 30th Annual Educational Travel Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, Presenter regarding risk management and insurance issues for the travel and tourism industry
  • October, 2013 – Wilderness Risk Management Conference, Grand Teton National Park, Presenter on employment, staffing, and compensation issues which impact the outdoor recreation industry
  • March, 2007 – Opening New Doors to the Outdoors, Golden, Colorado. Presenter on increasing involvement of youth in outdoor recreation.
  • April, 2006 - Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Denver, Colorado. Presenter regarding Declaratory Judgment Actions, Insurance Coverage and Statutes of Limitation issues in recreation law litigation.
  • April, 2005 – Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Denver, Colorado. Presenter regarding compensation issues in the Adventure and Recreation Industry. Also discussed emerging issues in recreation law cases.
  • April, 2004 – Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Denver, Colorado. Presenter regarding staffing issues in the Adventure and Recreation Industry.
  • January, 2004 – Adventures in Travel Expo, New York, New York. Presenter regarding risk management and insurance issues for the travel and tourism industry.
  • April, 2003 – Recreation and Adventure Law and Liability, Vail, Colorado. Presenter regarding entity formation, tax issues and effectively selecting and working with an advisor team.
  • February, 2001-2002 - International Adventure Travel and Outdoor Show, Chicago Illinois. Presenter regarding risk management for the adventure travel industry.
  • September, 2000 - World Congress on Adventure Travel and Ecotourism, Anchorage, Alaska. Speaker regarding risk management and insurance issues for the travel and tourism industry.
  • July, 1999 - Clifton Gunderson Seminar, Broomfield, Colorado. Presentation on the topic of The Attorney's Role in Serving Business Clients.@
  • May, 1999 - Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Denver, Colorado. Presented seminar regarding travel issues for the attorney in the hospitality industry.
  • September, 1998 - Conference on Travel, Events and Management in Sports, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Speaker on the topic of Legal & Insurance Issues: Prevention Leads to Profits.@
  • March, 1997 - Teaming for Success: A Forum on Sport Tourism, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Speaker regarding business organization, risk management and insurance.
  • December, 1996 - America Outdoors Conference, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Presentation of America Outdoors Business Operations and Compliance Manual.
  • September-October, 1996 - Interbike, Anaheim, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Speaker regarding risk management, liability and employment law issues to world's largest trade show for the bicycle industry.
  • August, 1996 - Western Association of Athletic Clubs, Copper Mountain, Colorado. Speaker on employment law issues for athletic clubs.
  • June, 1996 - National Outdoor Industry Rendezvous. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Moderator of panel on liability issues for manufacturers and providers of recreation products.
  • December, 1995 - America Outdoors Conference. Reno, Nevada. Speaker regarding hiring and termination of employees.
  • January, 1995 - Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Reno, Nevada. Speaker on employment law for outdoor retailers.
  • November 1994 - National Institute of Accountants. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Keynote speaker regarding economic benefits of tourism.
  • November 1994 - World Congress on Adventure Travel and Eco-Tourism. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Keynote presentation on economics and eco-tourism. Chairman and speaker on issues related to liability of adventure tour operators.
  • October 1994 - U.S. Department of Agriculture. Denver, CO. Speaker on outdoor recreation programs for disadvantaged young people.
  • May 1993 - International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates. Honolulu, Hawaii. Speaker and consultant on liability issues related to international tourism.
  • February 1993 - Colorado Outdoor Recreation Project. Denver, CO. Speaker regarding the role of non-profit organizations in promoting recreational activities and tourism.
  • February 1989 - OmniBancorp Conference. Denver, CO. Speaker and counsel on issues related to banking liability.

Honors and Awards

  • Selected to National Directory of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals
  • Drafted Tort Reform Legislation Limiting Liability of River Rafting Outfitters in Colorado
  • Selected as an Expert on Recreation Law to Appear on the Nationally Televised Premier Show of Miller's Law
  • Martindale-Hubbell Top AV rating

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Denver Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • International Law Society
  • Colorado Real Estate Commission

Past Employment Positions

  • RiverReach Youth Initiative, Chairman and Founder
  • American Mountain Guides Association, Board Member
  • Adventure Travel Society, Former Chairman of the Board and General Counsel
  • The Connecticut Insurance Group (Program was Discontinued), Former National Defense Counsel for Outfitters and Guides Insurance Program
  • American Wildlands, An International Non-Profit Organization, Former Advisory Board of Trustees
  • Denver Rail Heritage Society, Former Board Member
  • Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Springs, CO, Former Advisory Board Member
  • Alpenglow Mountainsport, Inc., Former Board Member and Founder
  • Pearson & Paris, P.C., Founding Partner and President
  • Pearson, Horowitz & Burnett, P.C., Founding Partner and President

Pro Bono Activities

  • Chairman of the Board of RiverReach Youth Initiative
  • Chairman of The cityWILD Rendezvous, a charity event which has raised more than $350,000 for inner city young people in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area; 1999 - 2011.
  • Former Contributing editor and columnist - American Bicyclist Magazine.
  • Former Contributing editor and columnist - Adventure Travel Business Magazine.
  • Selected to Who’s Who in North America: 2010 – 2013.
  • Selected to National Directory of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals; 1994 - 2008.
  • Drafted tort reform legislation limiting liability of river rafting outfitters in Colorado; January, 1994.
  • Featured in a television program production for The Environment and Recreation; October 1993.
  • Selected as an expert on recreation law to appear on the nationally televised premier show of Miller's Law; March, 1993.