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$12,000 at 12,000 Feet: WTO Partner Runs Leadville 100, Raises Funds for Refugees

Date: 08.28.19

Denver: Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO) Partner LaMar Jost logged 100 miles to complete the Leadville 100 trail run while raising $12,450 for Project Worthmore (PWM), a Denver nonprofit that supports legal refugees who have fled persecution, war, or violence in their home countries.

This is not the first time that Jost has combined philanthropy and personal interest. The Denver Business Journal named Jost a 40 Under 40 winner (2015) in part for his service to Denver organizations, including the Colfax Community Network, Rose Medical Center, and victims of domestic abuse. Law Week Colorado recognized Jost as an Up and Coming Lawyer in 2007.

In competing, Jost challenged WTO lawyers and staff to help him raise funds for one of his favorite causes. The WTO Foundation also made matching donations. Jost finished the race in 28 hours and 36 minutes, a personal goal after failing to complete the course in 2018.

“Over the years we have had many people raise money for us through races, birthdays, etc.” PWM Co-founder and Executive Director Frank Anello wrote to Jost. “No one has even come close to the amount you raised. I am grateful to you, your firm, and all who contributed.” Anello, also an avid trail runner, accompanied Jost through the final 25 miles of the course, which reached a high point of 12,600 feet above sea level.

Anello and his wife Carolyn founded Project Worthmore in 2011 as a response to the acute need for assistance of refugee families in Colorado. The organization provides clients with English instruction, citizenship classes and cultural navigation training, dental visits, and more.

For his part, Jost likes what his fundraising achievement says about the firm, more than what it says about him: “I am more proud that individuals from every department in our firm contributed to PWM than I am in running 100 miles. I am humbled to work with such kind and generous people.”

A trial lawyer and litigator, Jost defends high-stakes cases involving medical malpractice, product liability, and complex commercial disputes. He has handled significant professional liability and tort cases in 21 states, the District of Columbia, and in tribal courts.

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell lawyers have taken more than 1,300 trials, arbitrations, and appeals to verdict, award, or opinion in 45 states and Washington, D.C., with exceptional results for our clients. Established in 1998, WTO currently numbers 110 lawyers. The firm represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes civil trials, appeals, and related litigation ranging from complex commercial to class actions to multidistrict litigation.

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