Joanne Underhill, Member of Underhill & Underhill, P.C.

Joanne has practiced law for 30 years.  Her background includes federal and state litigation, business acquisition and liquidation, governance issues, insurance issues, and regulatory compliance.  She has particular expertise in fiduciary duty litigation and has joined Jim in developing the Business Divorce® practice over the last 10 years.

Government Work
Joanne has handled a wide array of disputes involving the interpretation and application of federal, state and local government laws and regulations, including:

•   Litigation to enforce the Clean Water Act
•   Enforcement of hazardous materials regulations administered by the FAA
•   Federal employment discrimination litigation
•   Antitrust and government regulatory issues
•   Federal banking agency lawsuits against former directors and officers of failed institutions.

Private Practice
After a few years with a large Washington, D. C. law firm that represented clients interested in suing the federal government, she joined the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation as a trial attorney and Assistant General Counsel.  She then began to represent the federal government in lawsuits brought by citizens and businesses, and to handle litigation arising out of insolvent savings and loan associations.

After moving to Denver, Colorado for family reasons, she practiced at Gorsuch Kirgis and Popham Haik Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd. before joining Jim, her husband, to form Underhill & Underhill, P. C. in 1994.

Joanne has served on several boards of non-profit agencies, including the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Women’s Leadership Coalition.  She has appeared in Who’s Who directories and received several awards as a woman of distinction in business.

Practice Areas
Appeals
Business & Commercial Litigation
Employment Law
Real Estate Litigation
Litigation Involving Federal Agencies and Local Governments
Tax Matters
Insurance Policy Coverage
Wills and Trusts
Probate

Published Works
“Reviving Coverage Under ‘Expired’ D&O Liability Policies” (Co-Author), 7 The Review of Banking & Financial Services 87, 1991

Honors and Awards
Who’s Who in America, Admitted to the National Registry, 1998
“The Power of One” Award, Colorado Woman ‘98 Conference, 1998, Recipient
Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council, “Woman of Distinction”, 1997
Who’s Who Among Women in Business, Denver Business Journal, 1994 – 1995

Professional Associations and Memberships
Colorado State Board of Accountancy, Public Member (Gubernatorial Appointment), 1993 – 1999
Statehouse Conference on Small Business, Delegate (Gubernatorial Appointment), 1997
Colorado Women’s Leadership Coalition, Chair, 1996 – 1997
Women’s Leadership Circle, Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council, Chair, 1997
Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 1993 – 1996
American Bar Association, Member
Colorado Bar Association, Member
Colorado Women’s Bar Association, Member, Board of Directors, 1994 – 1995
Arapahoe County Bar Association, Member