Practice areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability; view more
Licensed in Colorado since: 1993
Education: University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025 Call today:
888-570-7538
Bachus & Schanker, LLC
1801 California StSuite 4800
Denver, CO 80202 Visit website
Details
With a profound commitment to justice and a deep-rooted connection to the Colorado community, Darin Schanker has built a distinguished career over the last 30 years. As a co-founder of Bachus & Schanker, he has shaped his practice with a clear focus on representing individuals against powerful entities. Based in Denver, Colorado, his legal practice focusing on personal injury spans across the nation, where he has served as lead counsel in a multitude of injury cases, demonstrating a particularly strong presence in his home state.
Completing his bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in 1990, Mr. Schanker went on to secure his law degree from the University of Denver in 1993. Educated in the intricacies of law and driven by a passion for advocacy, he has developed a profound understanding of the legal landscape. His journey in the legal field is marked by significant courtroom experiences and a history of pursuing justice in complex injury cases, including those involving defective medical devices and medical malpractice.
Professional service is a hallmark of Mr. Schanker's career. He has held the position of past president of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA). His leadership within the legal profession is complemented by his commitment to legislative efforts aimed at enhancing consumer rights and the justice system in Colorado. He also contributes to continuing legal education by regularly sharing his insights as a lecturer on trial skills.
Recognition for Mr. Schanker's contributions to law and society is widespread, including being named the Outstanding Trial Attorney for the State of Colorado by the CTLA. He has been rated “Superb” on Avvo and is peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell. His efforts, both inside and outside the courtroom, underscore his dedication to legal excellence and community service. Through the Bachus & Schanker Cares Foundation, he continues to extend his impact, supporting local nonprofits and championing causes that benefit the community at large.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dram Shop Laws, Informed Consent, Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Defects, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Pharmaceutical, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 60% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1993, Colorado
Professional Webpage: https://www.coloradolaw.net/attorney/schanker/
- U.S. District Court, Colorado, 1993
- Supreme Courts of the United States, Colorado, 1993
- Colorado, 1993
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Founder, 1953
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Vice President, 2005-2006
- American Association for Justice, Leaders Forum
- Denver and Colorado Bar Associations
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
- Colorado Citizens for Accountability, Board of Directors, 2005-present
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, President-Elect, 2006-2007
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee Member, 2003-present
- University of Denver Law Review
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Public Relations Committee, 2005-present
- American Association for Justice, State Delegate, 2006-present
- American Association for Justice, Member, Motor Liability Section; Interstate Trucking Litigation Section
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Secretary, 2004-2005
- Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, National Advisory Board Member
- Litigation Counsel of America, Charter Fellow
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Past President, 2008-2009
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Eagle Committee, 2002-2004
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Section Editor, Trial Talk Magazine
- American Association for Justice, Member: Products Liability Section
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Treasurer, 2003-2004
- Academy of Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
- Injury Board, Member
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2007-2008
- The National Crime Victims Bar Association
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Co-Chair: Membership Committee, 2005-2006
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Lobby Council, 2005-present
- WHY WE WORK SO HARD. We want cars to be made better, and roads safer, and we believe laws should be put in place that hold irresponsible drivers accountable., www.coloradolaw.net/media.php
- SEEK AN ATTORNEY WITH EXPERIENCE AND RESOURCES. At Bachus & Schanker, we take our responsibility to clients seriously, and will fight hard for your rights., www.coloradolaw.net/media.php
- The Bachus & Schanker Cares Foundation was established to help worthwhile organizations that provide assistance to those who have fallen on hard times or are suffering from illness or injury. Bachus & Schanker, LLC has a long history of giving back to the community from the very beginning of their practice back in 1992. As their practice flourished, so did the opportunities to help those less fortunate who need help due to illness, injury or misfortune. In addition to monetary donations and their own personal time, the partners, J. Kyle Bachus and Darin L. Schanker, have also donated their staff's time to participate in events for Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Habitat for Humanity and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The firm has participated events such as Walk Like MADD, home building projects for Habitat for Humanity, The Light the Night Walk for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Wal-Bop Golf Tournament to benefit Alive at 25 for the Brandon and Paul Foundation, Mother's Tea for The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, The Pikes Peak Challenge to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, The Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Clinic and the Annual Christmas Doll Drive for Dolls for Daughters, 2009
- Trial Lawyers Care, Inc.
- Public Justice Foundation
- Super Lawyers, 2007-2019
- Peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell
- Rated “Superb” on Avvo
- Outstanding Trial Attorney, CTLA presents this award to an attorney who has been in practice for fewer than 10 years and has demonstrated the skills, ethics and dedication embodied in the CTLA mission, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
- Wheaton College, bachelor's degree, 1990
- AAJ, Taxotere Update, 2017
- MTMP (A National Mass Tort Conference)
- Frequent lecturer, National Business Institute
- Frequent Lecturer, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
- CTLA Blockbuster, Taxotere, Genesis of 2 Mass Torts, 2017
- MTMP, Taxotere Update, Chicago, 2016
- Mass Tort Nexus, Taxotere Update, Ft. Lauderdale, 2017
- MTMP, Taxotere Update, 2017
- CTLA Boot Camp, Voir Dire, 2016
- MTMP, “Emerging Mass Torts”, 2016
- Mass Tort Nexus, Taxotere Update, 2016
- MTMP, Taxotere Update, 2016
- “Voir Dire Summer Cases”, 2014
- Harris Martin Conference, Taxotere, Seattle, 2016
- Harris Martin Conference, Taxotere Update, Washington, DC, 2016
- MTMP, Taxotere Update, Charlotte, 2016
- “Voir Dire 3 Ways”, 2015
- “Uninsured Motorist Insurance Law” Colorado Bar Association CLE, 2011
- APITLA Conference, Voir Dire, 2014
- MTMP, Taxotere, 2015
- “Uninsured Motorist Insurance Law” Colorado Bar Association CLE, 2014
- “Uninsured Motorist Insurance Law” Colorado Bar Association CLE, 2013
- “Twelve Lessons from Recent Jury Trials,” CTLA Blockbuster Seminar, 2012
- “Litigation Threats in Ambulatory Surgery Centers,” Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Spring Education Conference, 2012
- “How to Present Your Witness and Handle the Adversary” Colorado Bar Association CLE, 2011
- “Personal Injury Damages” CTLA Summer Convention, 2011
- “Understanding the Law of Damages”, National Business Institute Seminar, 2009
- “Plaintiff’s Personal Injury from Start to Finish”, National Business Institute Seminar, 2010
- “Tort Law Update Program”, Colorado Bar Association, 2010
- “Trial of the Plaintiff’s Attorney Case”, National Business Institute Seminar, 2009
- "Advanced Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Law", National Business Institute Seminar, 2009
- "Tort Law Update Program", Colorado Bar Association, 2009
- "State of the Association," CTLA Blockbuster Seminar, January 2008
- "Inauguration Address," CTLA Summer Convention, August 2007
- "A Word from the President," Trial Talk Magazine, monthly column, 2007-2008
- "Personal Injury Firm from A to Z," National Business Institute, December 2007
- "Insurance Law from A to Z," National Business Institute, Summer 2007
- "Staying Lean, Mean and Successful," CTLA Blockbuster Seminar, Winter 2006
- "Presenting Damages in a Personal Injury Case," CTLA Summer Conference, 2006
- "Catastrophic Losses - What is Covered?" National Business Institute Insurance Coverage Trends Seminar, May 2006
- "Presenting Non-Economic Damages at Trial," CTLA Summer Conference, 2006
- "Drafting and Presenting Jury Instructions at Trial," Colorado Judicial Seminar, Spring 2005
- "Winning Strategies for Proving Damages in the Colorado Personal Injury Case," National Business Institute CLE 2005
- "Admissibility of Evidence and Expert Testimony in Colorado," National Business Institute 2004
- "Premises Liability: Preparation and Trial of a Difficult Case in Colorado," National Business Institute CLE 2004
- "Economically Feasible Ways to Try Your Case," CTLA Blockbuster 2004
- "Admissibility of Evidence and Expert Testimony in Colorado," National Business Institute 2003
- "Trial Successes and Failures," CTLA CLE 2002
- "Using Focus Groups: Mock Trial Presentation," CTLA CLE 2002
- "Using Accident Reconstruction and Biomechanical Experts after Schultz," Colorado Bar Association CLE 2001
- "Case Review Adian vs. Pedraza," CTLA Blockbuster Seminar 2001
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025
