Lawyers

Franz Hardy is a trial attorney with a focus on business and insurance litigation, including commercial disputes, employment matters, real estate, insurance coverage, and ERISA. Franz is also recognized as an accomplished professional liability practitioner with a successful record representing dozens of attorneys and law firms. Franz has tried several cases to verdict and handled many appeals in both state and federal courts. For example, he successfully obtained a jury verdict in favor of his client in a breach of contract action brought by one of the nation's largest telecommunications providers.  He also recently argued an appeal resulting in judicially-recognized federal preemption of newly enacted Colorado legislation.

Franz has leadership positions within Gordon & Rees, as well as local and national bar associations. As the Chair of the firm's national Diversity Committee, he is responsible for guiding the firm's award-winning commitment to diversity and overseeing diversity initiatives in its more than twenty offices. 

Franz is also President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado and participates on the Board of Directors for the Center for Legal Inclusiveness, a non-profit organization dedicated to diversity in the legal profession. In addition, Franz serves on the University of Colorado Law School Alumni Board.

Franz has frequently written and lectured on various topics affecting attorneys and the practice of law, including ethics, privileges, confidentiality, and diversity. His presentations have been before local and national attorney audiences.

Admissions

Colorado
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Memberships

American Bar Association - Section of Litigation (Co-Chair of Content Management Committee, Co-Vice Chair Committee on Corporate Counsel, and Member of Diversity Committee)
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Sam Cary Bar Association
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (President)
Center for Legal Inclusiveness (Board of Directors)
Defense Research Institute
University of Colorado Law School Alumni Board

Community Involvement

Franz enjoys helping new generations of law students and lawyers have successful and rewarding legal careers. He regularly meets with students and new lawyers in informal settings to assist in their career development. He also participates in a variety of speaking engagements and formal mentoring programs in this area. For example, Franz organized an annual “Keys to Success” program featuring advice and guidance from a panel of prominent Colorado lawyers in both public and private practice. These panels have included Colorado Supreme Court justices, in house counsel, government attorneys, and prominent outside practitioners to assist law students in determining their career path. Franz has also worked with officials in Colorado’s law schools, members of local specialty bar associations, and other leading lawyers to address diversity and inclusion efforts in the legal profession.