Michael J. Roche

Mr. Roche is a trial lawyer with twenty years experience litigating complex business and commercial disputes. He has extensive experience in jury trials, court trials, arbitrations and mediations. Mr. Roche has prosecuted and defended numerous multi-million disputes for clients, including insurance companies, construction contractors, real estate developers and other businesses.

Representative Engagements

• Successfully defended officers and directors of publicly-traded telecommunications company in two week international arbitration brought by former CEO alleging fraud, conspiracy, wrongful termination, racketeering, and breach of fiduciary duty.
• Recovered more than $500 million in litigation arising out of the largest estate ever probated in the State of Colorado. Litigated for and obtained reversal of the illegal sale of $600 million in stock by Estate’s executors; ousted the original Estate executors and installed clients as new estate representatives.
• Defended multiple class actions on behalf of one of Colorado’s largest auto insurers involving numerous coverage, underwriting and claims-handling issues. Successfully obtained summary judgment and/or denial of class certification in every instance.
• Defended multiple class actions on behalf of national lenders arising out of alleged violations of RESPA. Defeated class certification and/or prevailed on summary judgment in each instance.
• Recovered more than $50 million on behalf of client from two of the nation's largest insurance/insurance brokerage agencies arising out of complex insurance coverage and broker malpractice claims concerning manuscripted “all-risk” umbrella construction insurance.

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• Recovered more than $50 million on behalf of owner developer of five star hotel casino project in Las Vegas, Nevada. This case included multimillion-dollar delay, disruption and defective work claims against international general contractor, subcontractors and design professionals.
• Successfully defended owner developer of Denver’s most expensive high rise condominium project against multi-million dollar claims of defective design and construction claims.
• Recovered more than $10 million on behalf of insurer in massive house fire involving multi-million dollar home. This fire represented the largest personal lines loss in the history of the company.
• Recovered more than $1.2 million following successful arbitration trial of fire loss caused by defective construction. Arbitration award included 100% of insurance payments made, plus pre-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees.
• Recovered multi-million indemnity payment arising from fire that destroyed agricultural cooperative’s entire season of crops. Recovery represented 100% of claimed amount.

Court Memberships

• Colorado

Honors

• Martindale-Hubbell® “AV” Rating

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association, Member Construction Forum
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association

Presentations

• Speaker, Insurance Subrogation: Getting the Money Back, Seminar Sponsored by Phoenix Investigations, Inc., 2007
• Speaker, Colorado Claims Association, Depositions and Deception: Effective Interview Techniques, 2010