Kenneth Hope is the founder and principal of Hope Mediation, LLC. Returning to his native Colorado after completing his legal studies at Washburn University School of Law, Ken was an associate with several small firms in Downtown Denver and Englewood prior opening his own firm in January of 1977 under the name of Kenneth R. Hope, P.C. Valuable trial experience was initially obtained in the form of numerous court appointments in criminal and juvenile matters including a large number of dependency and neglect cases.
As his professional practice evolved, Ken became very active in the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, serving several terms on its Board of Directors and one term as its president. In addition to serving as the chamber’s legal counsel, the experience provided the opportunity to develop leadership, communication, listening and interpersonal skills so essential in both the adversarial and alternative dispute resolution processes.
As a sole practitioner, Ken had an opportunity to provide legal representation in a variety of litigated matters including high conflict, complex matrimonial cases. Ken’s transactional and business practice developed to include representation of a number of financial and educational institutions, a variety of businesses, local and regional contractors and construction industry related businesses. The legal issues oftentimes extended into the courtroom as well.
In 2000, Ken accepted an invitation to join the Bendelow Law Firm, a boutique downtown Denver firm with ten (10) attorneys including fully staffed offices in both Steamboat Springs and Telluride. Ken was instrumental in opening an office in Winter Park to develop the firm’s expanding Fraser Valley client base. The resources that the Bendelow firm provided allowed Ken to continue to focus on existing clients as well as to expand his practice into more complex and newer areas, including mediation.
In January of 2007, Ken joined Rocky Mountain Forest Products, a long time client, as its Vice President and General Counsel. The scope of Ken’s responsibilities expanded into the areas of strategic planning, operations, human resources and risk management. This position provided Ken with new insights as well as an appreciation for the complexities involved in running a successful business with multi state operations in challenging economic times.
In July, 2015 Ken retired from his in house position to focus his full time efforts as a mediator with Hope Mediation, LLC. an ADR firm that he had launched in 2010. Since its inception Ken has mediated more than 375 disputes involving a variety of legal issues. Attorneys and law firms are increasingly turning to Ken who uses his skills in creating an interest based, client centered, problem solving atmosphere designed to promote mutually satisfactory resolutions.
Background
Bars and Court Admissions:
Colorado, United States District Court for the District of Colorado, United States Supreme Court
Private Practice, Kenneth R. Hope, P.C., Englewood, Colorado 1975 – 2000
Private Practice, Associate, Bendelow Law Firm, P.C., Denver, Colorado
2000 – 2006; Denver and Winter Park Offices
In House Counsel and Vice President, Rocky Mountain Forest Products, Inc.
Wheatridge, Colorado; 2007-2015
Principal, Hope Mediation, LLC, Centennial, Colorado
2010 - Current
Volunteer Settlement Master, Arapahoe County District Court
Volunteer Mediator: Denver County Court (“CMS”), Eagle County Court,
Jefferson County Mediation Services (“JCMS”)
Instructor, Business Law: American Institute of Banking, T. H. Pickens Vocational School
Education and Training:
B.S. Colorado State University, 1971
J.D. Washburn University School of Law, 1973
Trained Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
Certificate of Completion – Mediation Training 2009
Family Tree Domestic Violence Training, 2011
Civil Protection Order Training, Denver County Court, 2010
Professional Memberships (Current and Past)
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association; ADR Section; CMS committee
Arapahoe County Bar Association; Board of Directors
Jefferson County Bar Association
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
American Arbitration Association
Association for Conflict Resolution
Mediation Association of Colorado – theMAC
Other Affiliations
Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors, President
Centennial Rotary Club; Board of Directors: President; Centennial Rotary Foundation;
Board of Trustees, Chair; Assistant District Governor, Rotary District 5450
Professional Development
Presenter, CLE of Colorado, Spring Family Law Update, 2012; “Advanced Mediation Techniques”
Presenter, CLE of Colorado, 7th Annual ADR Conference, October, 2013; “Preparing for Mediation”
Presenter, CLE of Colorado, 9th Annual ADR Conference, October 2015; “Dynamics of Mediating Family Business Disputes – The Intersection of Business and Familial Issues”
Faculty; ABA Alternative Dispute Resolution, Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, 2011
Pro Bono Recognition, Jefferson County Courts; 2012, 2013
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