Attorney Profiles
Douglas W. Benson
Douglas W. Benson, founder and managing partner of Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, lives in Arvada with his wife and three children, and devotes his practice exclusively to representing homeowners and homeowners associations experiencing construction-related problems along the front-range, mountain communities and western slope.
Douglas W. Benson
Douglas W. Benson, founder and managing partner of Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, lives in Arvada with his wife and three children, and devotes his practice exclusively to representing homeowners and homeowners associations experiencing construction-related problems along the front-range, mountain communities and western slope.
Mr. Benson completed his undergraduate studies at Christian Heritage College, where he majored in English. He received his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law. During law school, he served on the Honors Advocacy Board and the California Western Law Review. Mr. Benson was also a member of the ABA Negotiations Team and was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in torts and alternative dispute resolutions.
Mr. Benson has been an assigned mediator for the courts on numerous occasions. He utilizes his alternative dispute resolution skills in resolving claims for clients by focusing on mediation and arbitration. Mr. Benson is also a seasoned trial lawyer who has won several multimillion verdicts and awards for individual homeowners and homeowner associations in recent years.
Mr. Benson has spoken for various organizations nationally, and presented more than 40 seminars throughout the western United States. Recently, Mr. Benson spoke at the “Mealey’s Construction Defect Litigation Conference” in Marina Del Rey, California on the topic of “Construction Defects in Colorado.” He has authored articles on construction and insurance related issues for clients and organizations. Mr. Benson is currently a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations.
Licensed to practice in Colorado, California, Nevada, and Arizona
To contact Mr. Benson, please call 720-898-9680, or email doug@bensonpc.com.
Jeffrey P. Kerrane
Jeffrey P. Kerrane, a partner at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, is licensed to practice in Colorado, California, and Nevada. Jeff concentrates on construction defect litigation and has contributed in the recovery of over $80 million for his clients. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from UCLA and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Jeff has studied abroad in Rhodes and Madrid.
Jeffrey P. Kerrane
Jeffrey P. Kerrane, a partner at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, is licensed to practice in Colorado, California, and Nevada. Jeff concentrates on construction defect litigation and has contributed in the recovery of over $80 million for his clients. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from UCLA and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. Jeff has studied abroad in Rhodes and Madrid.
Jeff brings over 15 years of experience in construction defect litigation to Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson. Prior to joining the firm, Jeff was a partner in the Burdman Law Group in Las Vegas and in the Law Offices of Cisneros & Kerrane in San Diego. Jeff’s experience includes numerous jury trials, arbitrations and mediations.
Jeff has authored articles on construction defect and community association law and has been published in journals such as the Santa Clara Law Review, Nevada Lawyer, California Regulatory Law Reporter, Condo Management Magazine, Recharger Magazine, and local newsletters of the Community Associations Institute (CAI). He is a frequent speaker on construction defect and community association law topics, and has lectured for CAI, the Nevada Ombudsman’s Office for Community Associations, the Nevada Real Estate Division, the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, and California Association of Community Managers.
Jeff received awards in 2002 and 2003 from Clark County Legal Services and was named the 2003 Children’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. He also received an American Jurisprudence Award in Ethics. In 2010 and 2011 Jeff was a member of the Sustainable Community Task Force for the City and County of Broomfield which drafted the new Environmental Stewardship Chapter of Broomfield’s 2005 Comprehensive Plan.
Jeff and his wife Julie are the proud parents of their nine-year-old daughter and six-year-old triplets.
Licensed to practice in Colorado, California, and Nevada
To contact Jeff Kerrane, please call 720-898-9680, or email jkerrane@bensonpc.com.
Heidi E. Storz
Heidi E. Storz, a partner with Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, has been representing homeowners and homeowner associations with construction defect concerns since 1999. During that time, Ms. Storz has come to appreciate how unfamiliar and bewildering the legal process can be to homeowners who are struggling with construction defects. She strives to demystify the process for her clients and understands that, for most homeowners, what is at stake is not only the largest investment of their lives, but also their safe haven from the world at large.
Heidi E. Storz
Heidi E. Storz is a partner with Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson. Ms. Storz has been representing homeowners and homeowner associations with construction defect concerns since 1999. During that time, Ms. Storz has come to appreciate how unfamiliar and bewildering the legal process can be to homeowners who are struggling with construction defects. She strives to demystify the process for her clients and understands that, for most homeowners, what is at stake is not only the largest investment of their lives, but also their safe haven from the world at large.
Ms. Storz was born in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with magna cum laude honors. Ms. Storz put her undergraduate degree in psychology to work and spent five years providing vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities in Boulder. Many of the individuals Ms. Storz worked with had recently moved from large institutions and were experiencing their first years as integrated members of their local communities. Assisting these individuals to become productive members of their communities was very rewarding to Ms. Storz.
After leaving Boulder, Ms. Storz served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize, Central America. There Ms. Storz worked with children and young adults who had experienced physical or sexual abuse. Ms. Storz collaborated with guidance counselors in various high schools to organize support groups for victims of sexual abuse and conducted workshops with teachers and school professionals about how to recognize and respond to child abuse. In addition, Ms. Storz traveled to every corner of the country to conduct the first-ever study of the incidence of child abuse in the country of Belize.
Ms. Storz attended the Northern Illinois University School of Law and graduated with cum laude honors in 1998. In law school, Ms. Storz served as a moot court justice and as an editor of the law review. Upon graduation, Ms. Storz was grateful to receive the Marla Dickerson Public Interest Law Award.
During her tenure with Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, Ms. Storz has assisted thousands of homeowners in resolving their construction defect claims with developers and builders. In doing so, Ms. Storz has developed an in-depth understanding of the means and methods of construction and has become effective at pulling together experts with divergent backgrounds to conduct comprehensive forensic investigations that ultimately put her clients in the strongest negotiating positions possible. After the settlement of their claims, Ms. Storz maintains an on-going relationship with her clients and is available to serve as a resource throughout the repair process.
Licensed to practice in Colorado
To contact Ms. Storz, please call 720-898-9680, or email hstorz@bensonpc.com.
Alex M. Nelson
Alex Nelson, a partner at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, joined the firm in 2008, and brought with him a wealth of experience in construction defect litigation and insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, he practiced at a Denver law firm that served the construction industry, working for both general contractors and real estate developers.
Alex M. Nelson
Alex Nelson, a partner at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, joined the firm in 2008, and brought with him a wealth of experience in construction defect litigation and insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, he practiced at a Denver law firm that served the construction industry, working for both general contractors and real estate developers. His experience spans a wide range of both litigated and non-litigated matters, primarily focused in the areas of construction defects, real estate, insurance, and other commercial disputes. He has worked in both state and federal courts, including trial through jury verdict, and is experienced with all forms of alternative disputes resolution, as well as post-trial and appellate work. He has written, spoken, and consulted on construction defect and liability insurance related issues. Alex’s practice is now focused exclusively on representing homeowners and homeowners’ associations in construction defect claims.
Alex was selected for inclusion in 2011 Colorado Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list as one of the top attorneys in Colorado for 2011. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to the list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
Alex received his B.A. in Environmental Studies and German from Middlebury College, and his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.
He is a founder and benefactor of the annual Stigler/Nelson Alpine Endeavors Scholarship (affectionately known by students as the “Ski Bum Scholarship”) at the University of Colorado School of Law. The scholarship is awarded to the third-year law student whose essay demonstrates a passion for alpine sports, and an ability to excel in them in spite of the rigors of the legal curricula.
Alex lives in Boulder with his wife Jen, daughter Gabi, son Max, and their two German shepherds.
Licensed to practice in Colorado and Minnesota
To contact Alex, please call 720-898-9683, or email anelson@bensonpc.com.
Tia M. Zavaras
Tia M. Zavaras is an attorney at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, where her practice is devoted to the representation of homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Since 2007, Tia has contributed in the recovery of over $20 million for her clients.
Tia M. Zavaras
Tia M. Zavaras is an attorney at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, where her practice is devoted to the representation of homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Since 2007, Tia has contributed in the recovery of over $20 million for her clients. Tia is a detail-oriented attorney known for her direct, no-nonsense approach when managing her cases.
Tia earned her law degree at the University of Denver, and her undergraduate degree in social work at Arizona State University where she worked primarily with at-risk juveniles. Prior to joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, she represented civil plaintiffs in mass tort litigation, and criminal defendants. Tia’s practice includes a commitment to public service by regularly providing the Colorado community with pro-bono services as a victim advocate for sexual assault victims and victims of domestic violence. Tia also provides pro-bono services to homeowners and has appeared on the LawLine 9 panel. Tia lives in the South Denver area with her husband and kids.
Licensed to practice in Colorado state and federal courts
To contact Tia, please call 720-898-9686 or e-mail tzavaras@bensonpc.com.
Landon L. Reed
Landon L. Reed is an attorney at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, representing homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Landon received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arizona State University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska. During law school, Landon worked as a law clerk for the State of Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Landon L. Reed
Landon L. Reed is an attorney at Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, representing homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Landon received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arizona State University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska. During law school, Landon worked as a law clerk for the State of Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. He wrote ten appellate briefs, arguing three of his briefs before the Nebraska Court of Appeals and one before the Nebraska Supreme Court.
After graduating law school, Landon served as Deputy District Attorney in Pueblo and Denver for six years, trying more than 43 jury trials. As a prosecutor, Landon developed litigation skills that provide him strength in representing his clients. After joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson in 2008, Landon second-chaired a three-week jury trial in the summer of 2009 that resulted in a verdict over $4.3 million for 59 homeowners. He has also contributed in recovery of over $8.7 million through settlement for his clients.
Licensed to practice in Colorado
To contact Landon, please call 720-898-9687 or e-mail lreed@bensonpc.com.
Duncan Griffiths
Duncan Griffiths joined Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson in 2010. Since joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, Duncan has co-counseled several cases and contributed to successful recovery on behalf of several homeowner associations. Duncan focuses exclusively on the representation of homeowners and homeowner associations in a variety of construction defect related claims.
Duncan Griffiths
Duncan Griffiths joined Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson in 2010. Since joining Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, Duncan has co-counseled several cases with other attorneys in our office, including a three-week arbitration against a national builder in which the arbiter awarded our client damages in excess of $6 million for defective firewalls and other construction defects. He has also assisted and contributed to successful recovery on behalf of several other homeowner associations. Duncan focuses exclusively on the representation of homeowners and homeowner associations in a variety of construction defect related claims.
Duncan received his B.S. in Business Administration – Finance from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School. During law school, Duncan gained invaluable experience working at several respected law firms, both plaintiff and defense, in the Denver area. He also interned for the Honorable Larry Naves, the former Chief Judge of the Denver District Court.
Duncan developed his passion for the law from his parents, who are both lawyers in the Denver community. Outside of work, Duncan spends his time playing golf in the summer and ice hockey in the winter.
Licensed to practice in Colorado
To contact Duncan, please call 720-221-9773 or e-mail dgriffiths@bensonpc.com.
Allison Vetter
Allison Vetter is the newest member of Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson’s thriving practice representing homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Allison received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Miami University, and spent six months in New Zealand studying and volunteering.
Allison Vetter
Allison Vetter is the newest member of Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson’s thriving practice representing homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect litigation. Allison received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Miami University, and spent six months in New Zealand studying and volunteering. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2011, graduating in the top three percent of her class.
Prior to joining the firm, Allison served as an intern at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. She was also a judicial intern for the Honorable Robert L. McGahey of the Denver District Court. While in her second year of law school at the University of Denver, Allison acted as a student-attorney with the Student Law Office, representing environmental advocacy organizations in Clean Air Act cases against utility companies.
Allison is enthusiastic to devote her practice to the representation of homeowners and homeowner associations and participate in the remediation of defective construction. She had the opportunity to law clerk for Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson in 2009 and 2010, and is now putting her acquired skills into practice as co-counsel on several current cases. When not working, Allison can be found training for the 2012 Berlin Marathon, biking, and skiing.
Licensed to practice in Colorado
To contact Allison, please call 720-221-9773 or e-mail avetter@bensonpc.com.