James Cordes is a collaborative attorney, mediator and arbitrator who has practiced family law exclusively since graduating from law school in 2010. While an experienced litigator, James is a strong believer in reaching fair resolutions without resorting to trial. Parties greatly underestimate the acrimony, stress and uncertainly that a trial will bring to their lives. A stranger in a black robe making decisions about your life for the next decade (or more) after 3 to 6 hours of hearing is a nerve-wracking process. Often, the emotional wounds inflicted by the litigation process (cross examination during an adversarial hearing) are also difficult to heal. This effect becomes compounded when children are involved. Drawing upon his experience as a mediator, James understands his clients’ needs while providing effective, honest and high-level legal advice to reach fair resolutions. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2017 and is a contributing author to the Colorado Lawyer.

Education

B.A., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2006

J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2010

Professional Associations

• Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Past-President
• Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, President
• South Metro Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Member
• Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section
• Denver Bar Association

Collaborative Trainings

• Introduction to Collaborative Practice, 2020
• Advanced Collaborative Training, 2022
• Advanced Collaborative Training: Settlement Strategies for Families with Mental Health and High Conflict Challenges, 2023

Presentations

• Presenter, The Art of Collaboration: Real-Life Examples of Resolution Through Collaborative Law, Family Law Institute, 2024
• Presenter, PC/DM Appointments – Views and Strategies from the Professionals, Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, 2024
• Presenter, Screening Collaborative Law Cases, CCDP Intro to Collaborative Training, February 2024
• Moderator, 2024 MDIC Judicial Officers Panel, Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, 2024
• Presenter, Collaborative Law and Other Cooperative Paradigms: Expansive Solutions, CBA Family Law Section, 2023
• Presenter/Moderator, HB 1178 Q&A with Jaime Watman, JD, Metro Denver IDC, September 2023
• Presenter, Screening Collaborative Law Cases, CBA/CLE Level 1 Collaborative Training, December 2022
• Presenter, Screening Collaborative Law Cases, CBA/CLE Level 1 Collaborative Training, June 2022
• Panelist, The Ethics of Hybrid Models: Creative Ways to Settle Cases and Alternatives to Traditional Evaluations, Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, May 2022
• Moderator, Collaborative Law Intakes, Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals, April 2022
• Panelist, The Higher the Conflict, the Higher the Stakes – Practical Tools and Methods to Manage High Conflict Cases and Clients, CBA/CLE, March 2022
• Presenter, Enforcement Measures in Family Law: Contempt is Not Always the Best Answer, CBA/CLE, 2020, September 2020
• Presenter, Family Law Basic Skills CLE | Protection Orders in Family Law: Grounds, Procedure and Practical Advice, February 2020
• Presenter, Annual Family Law Institute | Attorney’s Fees, Liens, and Malpractice: Strategies and Ethical Considerations, August 2017
• Presenter, Annual Family Law Institute | Child Support Essentials, August 2012

Publications

• Retroactive Child Support: Conflicting Decisions and Practical Advice, 41 Colo. Lawyer 91 (2012)
• Six Strategies for Successful ADR in Family Law, Law Week Colorado (August 2019)