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Hugh Q. Gottschalk

Partner

P. 303.244.1896 | F. 303.244.1879
"He brings calm to the chaos of high-stakes litigation."
—Client comment to Chambers USA

Biography

Hugh Gottschalk has taken more than 75 trials to verdict and over 20 arbitrations to award, delivering outstanding results for sophisticated clients. Hugh represents companies and individuals across diverse industries in complex commercial, torts, and intellectual property lawsuits. Hugh is a Fellow and past Colorado State Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and he is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers USA. For three straight years, Super Lawyers has ranked Hugh in the Top 10 in Colorado based on input from his colleagues and peers. 

Hugh's commercial litigation experience is extensive. He has represented clients in numerous disputes involving alleged breaches of contracts, fraud and misrepresentation, securities, franchise matters, and intellectual property infringements. Hugh has served as national or regional trial counsel to several large and well-known companies in industries as diverse as oil and gas, automotive, information technology, manufacturing, and consumer and professional services.

In 2010, Hugh led the WTO team that managed the response to 418 dealer arbitration requests and the litigation of 187 of the Section 747 arbitrations for Chrysler Group. WTO was one of only two law firms in the country representing Chrysler in these matters. Over a four-month period, Hugh himself tried nine of these arbitrations and won eight of them.

Chambers USA describes Hugh as "an excellent strategist and trial lawyer," and ranks him among the top commercial litigators in Colorado. "He brings calm to the chaos of high-stakes litigation," Chambers quotes a client as reporting. Hugh has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the business litigation category in Colorado Super Lawyers since its inception in 2006, including twice in a row being listed in the Top 10 (2019, 2018, and also 2008) and multiple years on its top 50 list. Hugh has also been selected for inclusion in Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers, and The Legal 500 U.S.

Cases

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Articles

Press

Other Experience

Otten, Johnson, Robinson, Neff & Ragonetti, P.C.
Holland & Hart LLP
Town of Bow Mar
    City Attorney

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

American College of Trial Lawyers
    Fellow
    Chair, Colorado State Committee, 2016-2018
American Board of Trial Advocates
    Member
Chambers USA
   Commercial Litigation - Colorado, 2005-2023
      Band 1 - 2018-2023
      Band 2 - 2007-2017
University of Colorado Law School
    2017 Distinguished Alumni Award - Private Practice
Law Week Colorado 
    "People's Choice" Best Intellectual Property Lawyer, 2010
    Lawyer of the Year, 2010
The Best Lawyers in America
    Denver Bet-the-Company Lawyer of the Year, 2016, 2020
    Denver Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2014
    Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2008-2024
    Commercial Litigation, 2008-2024
    Intellectual Property Litigation, 2016-2024
    Oil & Gas Law, 2022-2023
    Personal Injury Litigation, 2018-2024
    Product Liability Litigation, 2008-2024  
The Legal 500 United States
    Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense, 2009-2011
Benchmark Litigation
    Local Litigation Star, 2020-2024
    Insurance Litigation - Colorado, 2016
    Commercial Litigation - Colorado, 2011-2015, 2017-2018
5280 Magazine
    Top Lawyer
        Civil Litigation, 2020-2021, 2023
Colorado Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2006-2024
       Top 10, 2018-2020; 2008, 2021
       Top 50, 2009-2011
       Top 100, 2012-2017, 2022-2023
International Who's Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers, 2010, 2016-2017
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
Colorado Corporate Counsel Black Book
    Product Liability, 2007
Denver Business Journal Who's Who in Energy, 2015
    Selected among top 28 energy-industry lawyers in Denver
Best of the Bar, Denver Business Journal, 2005
Defense Research Institute
American Bar Association
    Litigation Section
Colorado Bar Association
    Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Section
Denver Bar Association
National Institute for Trial Advocacy
    Faculty
Product Liability Advisory Council
    Sustaining Member, 1988-1992
    Executive Committee, 1991-1992
American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado
    Board of Directors
Legal Aid Foundation
    Chairperson, 2011-2012
Rothgerber Moot Court Competition
    Finalist
University of Colorado School of Law's National Moot Court Team
    Member

Teaching Positions

National Institute for Trial Advocacy
University of Colorado Trial Advocacy Program, 1985-1986

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