Julie M. Walker

Julie Walker leads Ireland Stapleton’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice groups. She brings extensive trial and litigation experience, with a particular focus on representing construction related companies and other sophisticated clients in high stakes and strategically significant matters. Her experience representing parties on both sides of disputes gives her a distinct advantage in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

Julie has tried numerous jury and bench trials to verdict in Colorado, California, and other jurisdictions. She also regularly represents clients in arbitrations and mediations nationwide.

In addition to her role as an advocate, Julie serves as an arbitrator and mediator. She is a member of the Commercial, Construction, and Consumer panels of the American Arbitration Association and is also included on the AAA Roster of Mediators. Julie further serves on the Construction Defect Resolution Services arbitration and mediation panels and acts as a private mediator.

Outside her legal practice, Julie is President of the Board of Directors for the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center in Golden, Colorado.

Education 

• J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 1994
• A.B., Muhlenberg College, 1987

Admissions 

• California
• Colorado
• Wyoming
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the State of Colorado

• Selected to 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers List for Construction Litigation, 2023
• Selected to The Best Lawyers in America®
  
  • Commercial Litigation, 2015 – 2025
  • Construction Litigation, 2025
• Selected to Colorado Super Lawyers for Professional Liability Defense, 2015 – Present
• Selected to Law Week Colorado’s “People’s Choice”, 2012
• Selected to The Legal 500 for Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense, 2009-2010
• Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court – Historian Mentoring Award

Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Construction, Commercial and Consumer panels.
• Serves on the American Arbitrators Association’s Roster of Mediators
• Serves as arbitrator and mediator for Construction Defect Resolution Services.
• Private mediator including low-fee and pro bono services.

Professional Liability – Construction

• Defended architects, engineers, and surveyors against professional liability claims in a variety of complex matters in Colorado, Texas, California, and Wyoming. Also assisted design professionals with response to disciplinary proceedings.
• Defended international construction management firm in complex construction defect litigation brought by public housing authority.
• Defended protective coatings consultant against wrongful death and personal injury claims. Secured summary judgment, affirmed on appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
• Tried to defense verdict contract dispute arising out of construction of retail mall. Affirmed on appeal.
• Represented concrete foundation contractor in all areas of construction-related disputes
• Tried to defense verdict seven-figure professional negligence/delay claim against architect client.

Professional Liability – Lawyers/Law Firms

• Defended all sizes of law firms and individuals against complex legal malpractice claims.
• Represented individual attorneys in defense of grievance proceedings.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large law firm accused of conspiring in Ponzi scheme with client.
• Acted as monitoring counsel over complex large law firm legal malpractice matter involving millions in exposure.

Professional Liability – Financial/Professional Services

• Representation of various financial institutions, banks, insurance companies, and brokers in commercial litigation.
• Represented Managing General Agent for a large insurance/financial services entity in broker raiding litigation.
• Defended national lender against claims of conspiracy, mortgage fraud, and lender liability.
• Defended national lender against breach of contract claim for loan repurchase agreement.
• Defended broker/dealer against multiple cases alleging securities fraud. Tried to verdict.
• Defended wholesale insurance broker in complex litigation involving commercial property coverage.

Products Liability

• National trial counsel for global shoe manufacturer products liability claims.
• Defended pharmaceutical company against mass tort claims.
• Defended railcar manufacturer against claims arising out of prototype fire.
• Defended crane manufacturer against products liability claims in conjunction with construction accident.

Employment

• Represented physician partners in negotiation of departure from medical practice.
• Defended computer networking firm against discrimination charges.
• Defended global engineering firm against discrimination charges.
• Defended broker/dealer against executive breach of contract claim.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer against breach of employment contract claim.
• Prosecuted non-compete agreement on behalf of a construction-related company against a former employee.
• Prosecuted non-complete agreement on behalf of computer networking firm against former sales employee.

Commercial

• Represented real estate franchisor in vicarious liability litigation.
• Represented various corporate clients in partnership and shareholder disputes.
• Represented municipal airport authority in qui tam litigation and in related civil and criminal matters.
• Tried to verdict breach of commercial lease agreement.
• Six-week trial to verdict contract dispute between cardiac surgeon and hospital regarding surgery privileges.
• Tried to verdict commercial landlord’s eviction proceeding, including award of attorneys’ fees for landlord-client.
• Tried to defense verdict contract dispute between product manufacturer and supplier.
• Tried to defense verdict contract disputes arising out of commercial pool installation.

Involvement

• American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator for Commercial and Construction Panels
• American Arbitration Association, Consumer Arbitrations
• American Arbitration Association, Consumer Mediation Panel
• American Bar Association Women in Dispute Resolution Committee
• American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law
• American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Committee
• American Inn of Court
• California Bar Association
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association
• Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court
• Colorado Bar Association, Ethics Committee Member (past)
• Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Leadership for the Arts Alumni
• President of the Board of Directors, Miner’s Alley Playhouse, Golden, Co

Publications

• AIA Large Firm Roundtable Spring Conference, Summary of pending Colorado construction defect legislation and DORA process for design professionals, April 2024
• Co-Presenter, “Arbitration Myths and Insights for the ADR Practitioner,” 17th Annual Colorado ADR Conference – New Horizons for ADR: Expanding the Profession and Elevating Our Skills, October 2023
• Author and Speaker, “High Times in the Construction Industry,” CNA Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys, 2019
• Contributing Author, “Grit, The Secret to Advancement – Stories of Successful Women Lawyers,” ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, August 2017
• Speaker, DRI Women in the Law Seminar – Rainmaking Workshop, February 2016
• Speaker, “Twelve Angry… Jurors: Diversity and Jury Selection,” IADC Annual Meeting, July 2015
• Author and Speaker, “Collaboration or Conflict: What Results When a Claim Triggers Both General and Professional Liability Coverage,” CNA Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys, May 2015
• Speaker, “The Risks of Statutory and Civil Liability on Multi-Employer Jobsites,” American Society of Safety Engineers, 2014 Professional Development Conference in Orlando, FL, June 11, 2014
• Faculty, ABA Forum on Construction Trial Academy, June 2012
• Contributing Author, “In Memoriam: The Honorable Judge Phillip S. Figa,” 86 Denv. U.L. Rev. 851, 2009