Practice Areas: Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in Colorado since: 1980
Education: Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2025 Call today:
303-832-4200
Virtual Appointments Littman Family Law, P.C.
1772 Emerson StDenver, CO 80218 Visit website
Details
David Littman, the senior attorney at Littman Family Law, has extensive experience as a trial attorney, mediator, arbitrator, Decision-Maker, Child Legal Representative, and as a Collaborative Law practitioner. Littman Family Law focuses exclusively in the area of divorce, parental responsibilities (formerly called custody), adoption and other family law related matters. While David is a highly effective and dedicated trial attorney, as well as a former magistrate, he strongly believes that litigation should not be the automatic answer to a conflicted situation. Acrimonious and lengthy litigation can often bring unnecessary emotional and financial stress to all family members.
When litigation is the best strategy, David actively advocates on behalf of his clients while still working to deescalate the conflict between the parties. However, David strongly believes that many Family Law cases can be successfully resolved through the use of active problem-solving techniques, including mediation, Collaborative Law and other alternate dispute resolution strategies. These methods are often better for the short and long term emotional and financial well-being of all family members.
David became interested in alternate dispute resolution techniques after he witnessed the negative implications of high conflict family law cases, including parental alienation and childhood trauma. David recognizes that many highly litigated cases result in long-lasting resentments between former spouses and their children as well as extended family members. David has dedicated his practice to avoiding this type of outcome for his clients.
David was one of the first lawyers in Colorado to see the value of a collaborative rather than a litigious approach to solving many family law issues. In 2001, he co-founded the Colorado Collaborative Law Professionals with several colleagues and is currently a member of the board.
He has long advocated for the effectiveness of mediation, arbitration, and Collaborative Law. He embraces methods that enable the parties to maintain control over their case instead of relying on a courtroom decision. Collaborative Law and mediation often keep conflict and legal expenses under control while empowering the parties to find the best solutions for their individual circumstances.
David received his law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, an M.A.T. in Social and Behavior Sciences, and an M.A. Ed. in Counseling Psychology. His background allows him to address complex mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and certain medical issues that arise in the context of Family Law matters.
He has always strongly believed that attorneys need to give back to the community. As a result, he is currently an active member of the following committees and organizations:
Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee (Board Member)
Ethics Committee of the Colorado Bar Association
Supreme Court Standing Committee on Families
Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association and Past Chair of the Family Law Section
Colorado Collaborative Law Professionals (board member)
Metropolitan Volunteer Lawyers
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Additionally, he frequently speaks at continuing legal education programs on Collaborative Law, mediation, representation of clients with capacity issues, parenting plans for infants and young children, jurisdiction, professionalism, and children's legal issues. He is also a published author.
David and the firm have been recognized for their outstanding service to clients by the following groups:
Colorado Super Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Small Law Firms of America
Avvo Highest Rating -10
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Rating (AV)
Colorado Supreme Court Award for pro bono work annually since 2013
Volunteer of the Year, Colorado Foster Parents Association, 1995
Practice areas
Family Law, Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Arbitration, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
First Admitted: 1980, Colorado
Professional Webpage: https://davidlittmanpc.com/attorney-david-littman/
- Chairman, Colorado Bar Association-Family Law Section Executive Council (2008-2009)
- President, Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section (2008-2009)
- Externship Supervisor, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Colorado CASA (2001 - 2008)
- Secretary, Colorado Bar Association-Family Law Section Executive Council (2006-2007)
- Academy of Collaborative Law Professionals, Past Co-Chair, 2007-2009, Treasurer 2008-Present
- Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on Family Issues
- Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section Executive Council, 1997 - Present
- Member, Children's Legal Clinic - Multi-Disciplinary Team (1985 - 1998)
- Treasurer, Colorado Bar Association-Family Law Section Executive Council (2005-2006)
- Chairman, Family Law Institute, Breckenridge, CO, 2008, 2008
- Member of CBA Ethics Committee, Colorado Bar Association, 2009-present
- Colorado Bar Association GAL Sub-committee. This committee meets regularly seeking solutions for persons who may lack capacity to participate in legal proceedings, lack capacity to understand legal proceedings, or to make decisions when involved in legal proceedings. , 2014
- U.S. Federal Court, District of Colorado; U.S. Federal Court, Tenth Circuit, 1980
- Executive Council, Metropolitan Denver Interdisciplinary Council on Child Custody (MDICCC) (1997 - 2002) (2004-Present)
- President, Colorado CASA (2005-2007)
- Met requirements to be appointed as a Child Legal Representative, Parenting Coordinator and Decision Maker.
- Certified in Mediation
- Collaborative Law, Certified Level II and Advanced Practice
- Member-Colorado CASA Board, 2001-2008; Board President 2005-2007
- Member, Metro Volunteer Lawyers.
- Moot Court (1978-1980), Moot Court Board (1979 - 1980), American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts - Washington University School of Law,, Child Advocate of the Year, Colorado Foster Parents Association, 1994
- Washington University Law Quarterly Review, 1979
- Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, M.A.T. (Social and Behavioral Sciences Tuition Fellowship), 1970
- Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, M.A. Ed. in Counseling Psychology, 1973
- Washington University in St Louis, BA (Chancellor's Award,1967-1968), 1969
- Washington University in St. Louis; Doctor of Law (JD), 1980
- I am very pleased and touched by this recognition. For many years, I have devoted my heart to MDIC because I believe in the mission of bringing together mental health professionals and attorneys and building bridges. Each profession has much to offer the other when we really listen. I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful and dedicated professionals from these and related fields. I want to thank my wonderful wife, Suzanne who has supported my fanciful vision of doing good work for people in the family law arena for many years. I want to recognize my brother, Dr. Marshall Littman who has been my source of wisdom and knowledge in medical/pediatric matters since I began this journey. My sister Tobe Snow is present and always supportive, along with her husband, Steve. They are a nurse and dentist and at times have added their perspectives. My brother in law, Suzanne’s brother, Pitt Curtiss and his wife, Elaine, listened to me and given feedback in the area of education. My daughter Jodie and her husband, Brett, and now our first grandson, Baby Brett, have brought enormous joy to Suzanne and me. Jodie taught me how to be a parent and brought out the best in me. It is with great pleasure that we have welcomed Brett and now Baby B to the family. For those of you who may one day be grandparents, it is a wonderful role to be in. I have some thoughts and practice principles gleaned from my experiences and my values. *Think about the impact you want to have on the parties and their children *Be courteous, conscientious and honest in dealing with others. *Call and introduce yourself to new counsel at start of an engagement *There is a reason that 70% of litigants in family law cases do not retain counsel. Parties are frightened that if they retain counsel they will lose control of the case. Do not be the attorney who drives that fear. Enable your clients to be problem solvers. *About 25% of all complaints about lawyers arise out of family law cases. Our self-interest is well served by being professional, not escalating tension, and focusing on helping our clients resolve their problems. *Judges are aware of who escalates a case. It hurts both that attorney and the client. *Tell your clients that they will never go wrong if they act toward their spouse in a way that will make their children proud of them if they were to observe the interactions (which obviously they should not do). *Do not become personally involved in your client’s case- it is theirs and not yours *It is often useful to recognize that you will not reach agreement with another attorney and to simply agree to move on- agree to disagree. *Prepare as vigorously and thoroughly for mediation as for litigation. *Consider Collaborative Law- it is wonderful to work with counsel whom you trust *Pro-bono work is good for one’s soul. However, consider accepting pro bono clients who are willing to pass on in some manner what they can contribute in recognition of what they have received. Diana Powell is doing this with her pro bono mediations. *Mentor a younger attorney. It keeps you sharp and lets you use your accumulated wisdom and experience. I am thrilled to see younger attorneys whom I have mentored like Natalie assume leadership positions. *I can’t think of more important work than properly supporting families through transitions like divorce. *Support the concept of a dedicated family law court with judges who are trained, committed and want to be on the family court bench. *There is a Hebrew phrase “tikkun olam” which roughly translated means to repair the world. It is noble to live your personal and professional life in a way leaves the world a better place due to your contributions. That has been my goal throughout my career. Thank you again. I will always cherish this recognition., President's Award, Legal, Mental Health, 2022
- This presentation is for attorneys and mental health professionals who deal with high stress/high conflict family law matters., Co-Presenter, Burnout and Survival in the Practice of Family Law, Family Law Institute, Legal, Mental Health, 2021
- How we treat others is the best reflection of who we are. This presentation is for newer attorneys in the field of family law and helps them develop a comprehensive plan for being the type of person they want to be as they practice in this difficult area of the law., Co-Presenter, Professionalism in the Practice of Family Law, CLE Colorado, Legal, 2022
- A discussion of the role of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Personality Disorders and Mental Incompetency in high conflict dissolution and post dissolution of marriage cases, Presenter, Making Sense of Parents' Extreme Reactions & Erratic Behaviors: Is it PTSD, a Personality Disorder or Simply Bad Behavior?, NOCAFCC, Legal And Mental Health Professional, 2019
- A discussion of the various ethical questions that arise in the context of mediation, Presenter, Ethical Issues in Family Law Mediation A Conversation with David Littman, Kevin Sidel and the Family Law Section, Family Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association, Legal, 2019
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education Courses: Domestic Violence, Panel Member/Presenter, Hearing the Voice of the Child, COAFCC, 2019
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education Courses: Children's Legal Issues
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education Courses: Domestic Relations Issues
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education Courses: Including High Conflict Dissolution and Use and Interpretation of Psychological Tests and Representing Victims of Sexual and Ritual Abuse
- Lecturer, The Role of the Child and Family Investigator
- Lecturer, Alternatives to the Traditional Litigation Model in Family Law Cases
- Co-Presenter with Laura Monty, J.D., Presenter, Client Competency Issues, Family Law Institute, Vail, Colorado, 2012
- Co-Author with Natalie Simpson, J.D., "Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse Cases", Advocates for Children: The CLR, CFI and PRE in Colorado, 2012
- Lecturer, The Use of Arbitration in Collaborative Cases, Academy For Collaborative Law Practice, 2012
- This luncheon presentation was to both younger and experienced lawyers and consisted of a presentation on how to represent clients diligently and maintain professionalism. , Presenter, Professionalism, Colorado Bar Association Family Law Section Luncheon, 2012
- This presentation was for lawyers new to the practice of family law and focused on educating the listeners to the pitfalls of not approaching their interactions with clients and other counsel from a professional viewpoint. , Presenter, Family Law Basic Skills- Professionalism, Continuing Legal Education Colorado, 2013
- This presentation focused upon the legal standards applicable to pre and post-decree relocation cases., Lecturer, Relocation cases, Child and Family Investigator Training Program, 2013
- This presentation focused upon the special developmental needs of infants and toddlers when creating parenting plans to maximum their emotional, social and neurological development., Lecturer, Parenting Plans for Infants and Toddlers, Child and Family Investigator Training Program, 2013
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2023
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2023
- Colorado Super Lawyer , 2020
- Colorado Super Lawyer and Top 100 Lawyers, 2021
- Colorado Super Lawyer 2019, 2019
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2018
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2017
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2016
- 2015 Colorado Super Lawyer, 2015
- 2014 Colorado Super Lawyer, 2014
- 2013 Colorado Super Lawyer, 2013
- Colorado Super Lawyer, 2012
- Supreme Court Standing Committee on Family Issues
- Divorce And Family Law Attorney
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“David is one of the nicest people you can ever meet, and his knowledge and depth in family law is unsurpassed. Having said that, David is surprising. Underneath this mild mannered attorney is one of the best litigators I've ever seen.”
“David was an opposing counsel on a highly contested case and was very professional during the same. ”
“Opposing counsel on a difficult case. Very professional and I enjoyed working with him. ”
“Professionalism and competentcy.”
“Hard worker in the family law community and volunteers valuable time.”
“David is wise.”
“David is not only a good attorney, but a very good person. He is the outgoing president of the Family Law Section of the Colorado Bar and he used his time to really guide us, as a section, to really consider how we do what we do. His impact will be felt for years as a result.”
“David is a pioneer in family law. He is an amazing mentor and wonderful person. He is a great lawyer and CFI. David has worked hard for the Family law bar.”
“David is the best blend of statesman and diplomat you could as for. He is mild mannered, but clients shouldn't be fooled - he is an excellent litigator.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2025
