Isobel S. Thomas

Isobel

Isobel brings an exceptional record of success, an established network of resources from across the country, and, most importantly, a vision and determination to build and maintain more personal and meaningful attorney-client relationships. These are the underpinnings of Thomas, Keel & Laird, co-founded with Jennifer Keel and Matthew Laird. Isobel and the team guarantee openness, availability, and above-and-beyond dedication to every client from his or her initial consultation onward.

Nationally recognized in her field, Isobel has more than two decades of experience representing a wide range of clients in a variety of practice areas, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, birth injury, brain injury, nursing home malpractice, and wrongful death cases. She is particularly passionate about representing infants who have been injured during birth, and has relentlessly sought justice for these small clients for the majority of her career. She is the immediate past co-chair of the American Association for Justice’s Birth Trauma Litigation Group (BTLG), which has a national membership of attorneys with a subspecialty in birth injury litigation.

Isobel graduated from University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1988 with a B.A. in Psychology and English, before going on to complete her education at DePaul University College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Colorado, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Texas. Most recently, Isobel has handled cases in Arkansas, Illinois, New Mexico and Colorado.

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Practice Areas

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Birth Injury
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Premises Liability
  • Veterans Disability (FTCA)
  • Asbestos/Mesothelioma
  • Whistleblower (Qui Tam)
  • Wrongful Death
  • Mesothelioma
  • Sex Abuse cases

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado - 2007
  • Illinois - 1996
  • Arkansas - 2005
  • Texas - 2002
  • Massachusetts - 1996
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois - 1996
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas - 2003
  • U. S. District Court, District of Colorado

Education

  • DePaul University, College of Law - J.D., 1996
  • University of Wisconsin – Madison - B.A., 1988

Memberships & Affiliations

American Association for Justice
  • Executive Board, Birth Trauma Litigation Group – 2017, 2018
  • Co-chair Birth Trauma Litigation Group – 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Co-chair Medical Negligence Information Exchange Group – 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Newsletter Editor for Birth Trauma Litigation Group – 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Article Peer Reviewer
American Bar Association
  • Past Member, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
  • Past Vice Chair, Trial Techniques Committee
Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
Denver Bar Association

Professional Recognition

  • 5280 Magazine, Denver’s Top Lawyers - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Top Verdict, Top 50 U.S. Verdicts - 2016
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs - 2013, 2015, 2016
  • Texas Rising Star, Texas Super Lawyers - 2014

Speaking Engagements & Publications

“Exposing Difficult Defense Experts in Depositions”

AAJ 71st Annual Melvin Belli Seminar – Denver, CO – 2018

“Causation: Establishing Timing and Etiology of Brain Damage: Imaging”

Invited Faculty, AAJ Electronic Fetal Monitoring in Birth Injury Cases Seminar – Philadelphia, PA – 2018

“Shoulder Dystocia”

Invited Faculty, AAJ Electronic Fetal Monitoring in Birth Injury Cases Seminar – Philadelphia, PA – 2018

“Defenses to Causation: Genetics”

Invited Faculty, AAJ Electronic Fetal Monitoring in Birth Injury Cases Seminar – Philadelphia, PA – 2018

“Hospital Liability, Part I: Legal Theories”

Invited Faculty, AAJ Electronic Fetal Monitoring in Birth Injury Cases Seminar – Philadelphia, PA – 2018

“Using Treating Physicians Effectively”

2018 AAJ Winter Convention – Maui, HI – 2018

“David vs. Goliath – Beating the Big Defense Firms at Their Own Game”

CTLA Blockbuster Seminar – Denver, CO – 2018

“David vs. Goliath – Beating the Big Defense Firms at Their Own Game”

American Association for Justice, 2017 Annual Convention – Boston, MA – 2017

“Patient Malpractice and Office Staff Litigations: Tips to Avoid Seeing Me – Perspective from a Malpractice Attorney”

American Society of Breast Surgeons, 18th Annual Meeting – Las Vegas, NV – 2017

“Subrogation in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Cases”

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2017 Subrogation Seminar – Denver, CO – 2017

“Life Care Plans and Life Expectancy”

American Association for Justice, 2017 Winter Convention – Austin, TX – 2017

“Using Depositions to Make Your Case”

Kentucky Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention – Nashville, TN – 2016

“Medical Malpractice Negligence and Damages that Last a Lifetime”

Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers Association, Damages and Evidence: Evaluating, Pleading, and Proving Seminar – Covington, KY – 2004

“Creative Deposition Preparation”

American Bar Association, Trial Techniques Committee Newsletter – 2003

“Causation in Breast Cancer Cases: Challenging the Doubling-Time Defense”

Texas Lawyer Magazine – 2002

“Liability for Faculty Credentialing”

American Trial Lawyers Association, Failure to Diagnose Seminar – Las Vegas, NV – 2002

“You Have a Verdict, So What?”

American Association for Justice, Litigation Tactics of ATLA All-Stars – 2002

“Is She Really an Expert: Qualifications of Experts”

The Illinois Institute of Continuing Education – 2001

“Proper Docketing and Control of the Case”

Chicago Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Program – 1997

Jennifer L. Marshall

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Jennifer L. Marshall (formerly Keel) is admitted to practice in Maryland, Minnesota (inactive), the District of Columbia, California (inactive), Colorado, and New Mexico, and handles catastrophic injury cases across the country. Her practice focuses on complex medical malpractice cases involving birth trauma, kernicterus, cerebral palsy, brain and spinal cord injuries, and many other medical and surgical errors that have resulted in catastrophic injuries and/or death.

Jennifer is one of the industry’s thought leaders on electronic medical records evidence and audit trail use in medical negligence litigation, and teaches lawyers across the country how to obtain and make use of this important evidence. She also consults for lawyers and law firms on an hourly basis to assist with these issues in their cases.

Jennifer has a unique and varied medical background not typical of medical negligence lawyers. In addition to her undergraduate education in biology and biochemistry, she also completed the rigorous didactic and clinical education program for New York State’s highest level of prehospital care providers, and became a paramedic in 1995. She worked as a full-time paramedic for six years in the city of Rochester, New York, during which time she treated thousands of patients in need of emergent medical and surgical intervention in the prehospital setting. Jennifer also spent two years as a Tissue Procurement Specialist and Procurement Team Leader for the Rochester Eye and Human Parts Bank, where she performed sterile, surgical tissue procurement procedures on tissue donors to recover transplantable joints and tissues for recipients across the country.

While completing her undergraduate education, Jennifer worked in the operating room as an anesthesia technician and scrub-assist technician, in a secured skilled nursing facility attending to Alzheimer’s patients, and gained experience in various areas of veterinary medicine and surgery—each of which contributes to her understanding of broad medical and physiological concepts. Jennifer’s background and specialized medical training and experience makes her uniquely well-suited to medical negligence litigation, which is the primary focus in her practice. Jennifer’s cumulative experiences in patient care provide a distinct advantage to her clients: her broad base of knowledge of medicine and medical and surgical standards and techniques offers context within which to analyze and prosecute cases.

Jennifer has taught a course in medical malpractice litigation with the Sturm College of Law in Denver, has published articles on various topics in medical negligence, and has lectured in various continuing legal education programs and private seminars across the country.

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Practice Areas

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Brain Injury
  • Birth Injury
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Whistleblower (Qui Tam)
  • Mesothelioma
  • Sex Abuse cases

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado
  • Washington, D. C.
  • Maryland
  • California (inactive)
  • Minnesota (inactive)
  • New Mexico
  • U. S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U. S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

Education

  • M.S., 2014, Intelligence and National Security Studies: American Military University
  • J.D., 2004, University of New York at Buffalo
  • B.S., 2001, Criminal Justice: Rochester Institute of Technology, summa cum laude

Professional Recognition

  • Top Lawyers in Denver, 5280 Magazine - 2015 to present
  • Colorado Super Lawyers® - 2017 to present
  • Top 50 US Verdicts - 2016
  • Colorado’s Rising Stars, 5280 Magazine - 2013
  • Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers - 2012, 2013, 2014
  • National Trial Lawyers Association, Medical Negligence Litigation Group Executive Committee - 2011
  • Invited Membership: Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society - 2011
  • Invited Membership: Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society - 2011
  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators – 2017-present

Publications

  • “Blazing a Trail,” Trial Magazine, AAJ, May 2017
  • “Follow the Audit Trail,” Trial Magazine, AAJ, May 2014
  • “Finding Evidence in Medical MetaData for Malpractice Cases,” The Trial Lawyer Magazine, NTLA, April 2014
  • “Colorado’s Law on Ex Parte Communication between Medical Malpractice Defendants and Plaintiff’s Treating Physicians,” Denver University Law Review, Online Supplement, May 2011
  • “Neonatal Jaundice, Hyperbilirubinemia, and Kernicterus for the Medical Negligence Litigator,” Birth Trauma Litigation Group Newsletter, CTLA, June 2010
  • “An Insider’s View of Human Tissue Litigation,” Harris Martin Publishing, Drugs & Medical Devices, August 2006
  • Chapters from E-Z Review for Intellectual Property, Law Review Publishing, 2002

Professional Affiliations

  • Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA)
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ)
  • American Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Maryland Bar Association
  • Minnesota Bar Association
  • Maryland Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA)

Matthew R. Laird

matt

Having served as a paratrooper in the 82ndAirborne Division and completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star for his service, Matthew brings a unique dedication, determination, and perspective to advocating for seriously injured individuals. He has more than ten years of experience in his field and is admitted to practice in Colorado, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, the Combined Court of the Armed Forces, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Matthew has also handled cases in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, the District of Columbia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Matthew completed his undergraduate education at DePauw University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in history and classical civilizations. He went on to attain his J.D. at DePaul University College of Law. During his time at DePaul, Matthew received CALI awards in Federal Evidence and Federal Criminal Law as the top student in both courses and was a student intern at the Colorado Public Defender’s office, where he gained experience adjudicating jury trials under the Colorado Student Practice Act. Matthew held an internship at the Cook County Public Defender’s office where he worked with the Murder Task Force defending clients charged with capital offenses.

After working for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office, Matthew went on to serve his country as an attorney for the United States Army. For five years, Matthew represented both the United States and individual US Soldiers as a Federal Prosecutor and Federal Criminal Appellate Attorney.

At Thomas Keel & Laird, Matthew continues to demonstrate his love of country by representing veterans that have been injured or have suffered due to medical negligence.

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Practice Areas

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Nursing Home Malpractice
  • Qui Tam Whistleblower
  • Mesothelioma
  • Sex Abuse cases

Education

  • DePauw University (B.A., 2003)
  • DePaul University, College of Law (J.D., 2007)

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado - - 2007
  • U.S. Supreme Court - - 2013
  • Army Court of Criminal Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces - - 2012

Professional Recognition

  • Top Attorneys in Colorado, Rising Stars, SuperLawyers-2017
  • Top 10 Under 40, National Academy Of Personal Injury Attorneys-2017
  • Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers - 2015
  • Bronze Star, Secretary of the U.S. Army-Iraq, 2011
  • Young Military Lawyer of the Year Nominee, American Bar Association-2011
  • Top 50 U.S. Verdicts, Top Verdicts-2016

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA), New Lawyers Steering Committee
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), New Lawyers Division, Publications Committee
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Adjunct Faculty at University of Denver, Sturm College of Law

Experience

  • Thomas Keel & Laird, LLC- - 2013- Present
  • Military Defense Appellate Attorney- - 2012-2013
  • Assistant Colorado Public Defender- - 2007-2008

Speaking Engagements & Publications:

  • Co-author: “Blazing a Trail,” Trial Magazine, AAJ, May 2017
  • “Subrogation in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Cases,” Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2017 Subrogation Seminar – Denver, Colorado, April 18, 2017
  • “Life Care Plans and Life Expectancy,” American Association for Justice, 2017 Winter Convention – Austin, Texas, February 11, 2017

Features:

“"Co-author: “Blazing a Trail"”

Trial Magazine, AAJ – 2017

“"Subrogation in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Cases"”

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2017 Subrogation Seminar – Denver, CO – 2017

“"Life Care Plans and Life Expectancy"”

American Association for Justice, 2017 Winter Convention – Austin, TX – 2017

“"11 Call For Action: Family sues Colorado Springs care facility"”

11 News, KKTV – 2017
http://www.kktv.com/content/news/11-Call-for-Action-413109203.html

Michael Weinhoffer

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Michael Weinhoffer is a May 2023 graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He graduated magna cum laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in May 2020 and had his eyes set on a legal career in the aerospace industry. However, his interests shifted strongly in law school towards personal injury law and courtroom advocacy for injured plaintiffs. His interest in personal injury law was largely sparked by the ongoing PFAS litigation and stories of inexcusable environmental contamination, but he looks forward to steadfast advocacy in multiple areas of law, including medical malpractice.

While in law school, Michael was the Vice President of the Students’ Plaintiff Bar, and he thoroughly enjoyed coursework in legal writing, environmental law, trial practice, and of course, torts. Mr. Weinhoffer first worked at Thomas Keel & Laird as a summer law clerk, and he looks forward to working with the team to achieve legal victories and client satisfaction. Besides medical malpractice, Michael is also interested in toxic tort litigation, products liability, vaccination injuries, and food safety.