Christopher M. Drake
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney in Denver, CO
Focusing his practice exclusively on civil litigation and with a particular emphasis on insurance coverage disputes, Christopher M. Drake is a partner at Smith Jadin Johnson, PLLC. Working out of the firm’s offices in Denver, Colorado, he represents people and businesses throughout the greater metropolitan area. Admitted to practice before all Colorado state courts, Mr. Drake is also admitted to practice in Minnesota as well as before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Many of Mr. Drake’s clients are policyholders whose claims have been disputed or denied in bad faith by their insurance companies. The types of cases that he has handled have included fire, wind, water and hail damage, business interruptions, personal injury, professional malpractice, officers’ and directors’ liability, and construction defects. Mr. Drake has provided advice and counsel to residential and commercial real property owners, engineers, architects, and other construction professionals, banks, manufacturers, distributors and homeowners associations. He spent the early part of his legal career representing insurance companies, and this experience has given him insight as to the types of tactics they employ when they are being sued.
After getting an associate’s degree at a community college, Mr. Drake enrolled at Tennessee State University. While he was there, he was a member of the school’s NCAA varsity men’s golf team and majored in psychology and political science before receiving a Bachelor of Science in 2001. Mr. Drake subsequently pursued his legal education at what was then known as William Mitchell College of Law and was awarded his Juris Doctor in 2004. A member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, he has lectured on topics related to his practice areas to homeowners associations and other groups.
- 90%Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 10%Business/Corporate
Contracts
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2018
Additional Sources of Information About Christopher M. Drake
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About Christopher M. Drake
Admitted: 2004, Colorado
Professional Webpage: https://www.sjjlawfirm.com/attorney/christopher-m-drake/
Bar/Professional Activity
- Colorado Bar Association
- CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors, 2016
- CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter Programs and Education Committee, Committee Member, 2014 to 2017
- Minnesota
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota
Honors/Awards
- Colorado Rising Stars – 2018
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- From The Trenches – What the Hail, Handling Insurance Claims , CAI Mountain Conference , 2017
- I have presented a number of educational classes on topics relevant to the governance and operation of Homeowner Association's in Colorado. I regularly speak to property managers and board members on issues of governance, insurance procurement, and claim handling, covenant enforcement, and collections., Attorney, Community Assocaiiton Managers And HOA's
- The Big Picture Approach to Insurance Claims, Common Interests CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter, 2016
- From The Trenches – What The Hail, Handling Insurance Claims , CAI Spring Showcase , 2017
Educational Background
- Tennessee State University, B.S., Major: Psychology and Political Science
Verdicts/Settlements
- Successfully obtained a $1,750,000 settlement from client's insurance carrier in connection with a large multi-unit Denver based HOA storm damage claim. Successfully obtained a $900,000 settlement for client in connection with a catastrophic storm claim to their primary residence. Insurance settlement for a client which allowed them to obtain a complete repair of its damaged roof following a catastrophic hail storm in Denver Colorado. Successfully forced insurance carrier to extend coverage for wind blow debris that resulted from a severe wind and hail storm. Obtained a successful outcome through a motion to the Federal District Court ofColoroado on the scope of appraisal and whether the appraisal panel was bound by prior written estimates.
Special Licenses/Certifications
- 2004
Industry Groups
- Construction Defect
- Contractors
- Fire
- Flood
- Hail and WInd
- Insurance Bad Faith
- Insurance Coverage
- Policy Holders
- Property Casualty
- Public Adjusters
Last Updated: 9/28/2020