Joel O. Benson

Phil is an AV-rated® trial lawyer. He has tried multiple jury and bench trials and has argued cases in the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the state trial courts of Colorado, Georgia and Illinois. Phil is licensed to practice before all state courts of Colorado and Georgi...

Cynthia Stovall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Cynthia, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cynthia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth Salinas Van Orman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Elizabeth, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tia M. Zavaras is the founder and CEO of Evolved Law, a fully remote Colorado law firm providing strategic representation, mediation, divorce coaching, and litigation support in family law, divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, and animal law matters. With nearly two decades of litigation experience, Tia helps clients navigate complex family law disputes with clarity, preparation, and practical strategy. Her work includes divorce, child custody, post-decree matters, mediation, lit...

Shanelle Kindel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Shanelle, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shanelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cory Rutz represents property owners and developers in the acquisition and entitlement of commercial, residential and industrial projects. Cory’s practice includes assisting clients with local government approval of annexations, subdivisions, rezonings and development agreements. Her recent work includes advising clients on incorporating various types of short-term rental uses into their properties. With joint degrees in law and urban planning, Cory is also a certified member of the Ame...

About Banafsheh Banafsheh Lari is an associate attorney with Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. and a member of the Family Law Team. Banafsheh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs with an emphasis on the Middle East from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2012. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2015. Banafsheh began her legal career as a law clerk in Adams County District Court primarily for the Honorable Jac...

Elizabeth practices exclusively in family law, having served hundreds of clients during her tenure with their divorces, parenting, and child support cases. Elizabeth’s family law practice has focused on asset and business valuation, income valuation, complex divorce, parental responsibilities, child relocation, and child support matters, among others. Elizabeth speaks both Spanish and Italian and uses these skills to assist non-native speakers in navigating through domestic matters. Eli...

Betsy P. Bengtson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Betsy P., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Betsy P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph M. Dencker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Joseph M., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.