Awards

Best Lawyers in America

"Best Lawyers in America” has consistently recognized Killmer, Lane, & Newman, LLP and partners Darold Killmer, David Lane, and Mari Newman for their outstanding work. Mari Newman was selected as the "Lawyer of the Year" in Denver in the area of Employment law - Individuals for both 2017 and 2014. In 2014, Darold Killmer was designated as the Lawyer of the Year in his practice area.

Colorado Super Lawyers

Darold Killmer, David Lane, and Mari Newman have each been consistently designated as Colorado Super Lawyers, an honor limited to five percent of the attorneys in Colorado. Darold Killmer and Mari Newman have each repeatedly been named as among the Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers, and Mari Newman has repeatedly been designated one of the Top 50 Women Colorado Super Lawyers. In 2010, Darold Killmer was designated as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in the State. Michael Fairhurst has been designated as a Rising Star for both 2017 and 2016.

Lawyers of the Year, Law Week Colorado

Darold Killmer, David Lane and Mari Newman were recognized by Law Week Colorado as 2015 Lawyers of the Year.

American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Carle E. Whitehead Civil Rights and Liberties Award

Darold Killmer, David Lane and Mari Newman were awarded the American Civil Liberties Union of

Colorado’s 2010 Carle E. Whitehead Award for “dedication to defending civil liberties and the rule of law.”

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Access to Justice Award

Darold Killmer, David Lane and Mari Newman were awarded the 2010 Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s

Access to Justice Award, honoring “perseverance, courage and character shown over and over in cases of

extraordinary circumstances.”

Southern Center for Human Rights Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award

Each year the Southern Center for Human Rights honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of human rights. In 2007, Darold Killmer and Mari Newman were co-recipients of the Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award for representation of six Yemeni men detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The firm’s representation of detainees held indefinitely by the United States government is consistent with our mission to defend the rights of our clients against oppressive and illegal government conduct.

Martindale-Hubbell Rating of AV-Preeminent®

Darold Killmer. David Lane and Mari Newman have each consistently been awarded the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell.

5280 Top Lawyers

Each of Killmer, Lane & Newman's partners has been repeatedly designated among 5280's Top Lawyers. David Lane and Mari Newman have each been designated as a Top Lawyer in the area of Civil Rights. Darold Killmer and Mari Newman have each been designated as Top Lawyers in the area of Labor and Employment: Plaintiff.

Friend of the First Award, Colorado Press Association Network
Mari Newman and Andy McNulty were awarded the 2019 Friend of the First Award, "in recognition of ensuring the public’s right to know."

Shoes of Justice Award, AME Shorter Community

In 2015, Darold Killmer, David Lane and Mari Newman were awarded the AME Shorter Community's Shoes of Justice Award, honoring individuals who have “walked the walk of Justice.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award

Mari Newman was awarded the 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award celebrating "content of character."

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Fellow

Darold Killmer and Mari Newman were named a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in recognition of their devoted and distinguished career in the practice of labor and employment law (2008 - present, and 2020 - present, respectively).

Attorney of the Year, Colorado GLBT Bar Association Foundation

Mari Newman was recognized as a Attorney of the Year by the Colorado GLBT Bar Association Foundation in both 2020 and 2015.

Denver's Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers®

Darold Killmer, David Lane and Mari Newman have each been selected by Peer Recognition as among Denver's Best Lawyers. In 2012, David Lane was selected as one of the Lawyers of the Year in the area of First Amendment law, and one of Denver's Best Lawyers in the areas of Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and First Amendment law. Darold Killmer and Mari Newman have each been consistently selected as among Denver's Best Lawyers in the area of Labor and Employment law.

Colorado Women's Bar Association, Raising the Bar Award, 2016

Mari Newman was honored for making a difference in the community, "raising the bar" for women lawyers, and for paving the way for women in Colorado and around the nation.

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Case of the Year, 2010

In 2010, David Lane and Darold Killmer were recognized for the case of Masters v. Gilmore, et al., for the wrongful conviction of an innocent man.

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Case of the Year, 2009

In 2009, Mari Newman and Darold Killmer were recognized for the case of Hall v. Zavaras, et al., against the Colorado Department of Corrections for the sexual assault of an incarcerated woman by a guard. This case resulted in significant changes in the Colorado Department of Corrections’ training and monitoring of prison guards, as well as monetary payments to Ms. Hall.

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Finalist for Case of the Years 2019, 2017, 2014, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2003

Mari Newman and Michael Fairhurst were finalist for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association's 2019 Case of the Year Award for the case of K.S., et al. v. Colorado Department of Human Services, et al, demanding accountability and policy changes on behalf of people with mental disabilities who were involuntarily strip-searched by State workers.

Mari Newman was a finalist for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2017 Case of the Year Award for the case of Mason, et al. v. Fantasy Gentlemen's Club, et al., establishing that exotic dancers in Colorado are entitled to fair wages and retention of their tips.

Mari Newman and David Lane were finalists for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2014 Case of the Year Award for the case of Burns v. Hickenlooper, et al., striking down Colorado laws prohibiting same sex marriage.

The Guantanamo Litigation was one of three finalists for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2010 Case of the Year Award. Darold Killmer, Mari Newman, and David Lane represent five Yemeni men who are imprisoned by the United States government, although they have never been charged or tried for any crime. The firm’s ongoing representation of these men is pro bono.

Darold Killmer and Mari Newman were finalists for Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2008 Case of the Year Award for the case of Rice v. City of Denver, et al., wherein the firm represented the estate and parents of a young woman who died after she was denied medical care while in the Denver jail.

Bonner v. City of Aurora was one of three finalists for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2007 Case of the Year Award. Darold Killmer and Mari Newman represented the family and estate of Jamaal Bonner, an unarmed, young African-American man who was shot and killed by members of the City of Aurora Police Department. The case resulted in a significant monetary settlement and substantial procedural changes and training within the Aurora Police Department.

Mari Newman was a finalist for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2003 Case of the Year Award for her work in the case of Montez, et al. v. Owens, et al., a class action lawsuit against the Colorado Department of Corrections for its improper treatment of disabled inmates.

Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award, Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance

Mari Newman and David Lane were recognized with the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian in 2018.

Supreme Court of Colorado Pro Bono Award

Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP has been consistently awarded for its outstanding contribution, service and commitment to pro bono achievement.

Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado Access to Justice Recognition

Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP was recognized by the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado in 2011 for its important contributions to improving access to justice in the State of Colorado.

Center For American and International Law Commitment Award

In 2009, David Lane was recognized for years of working with Texas capital defense lawyers to improve their trial skills.

“Barrister’s Best” Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer

Mari Newman was named by Law Week Colorado as the “Barrister’s Best” Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer in 2020, 2012 and 2011.

Top Women Lawyers

Mari Newman was Recognized as one of 7 Top Women Lawyers by Law Week Colorado in 2013.

Colorado Criminal Defense Bar

David Lane was the recipient of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar’s prestigious Jonathan Olom Award in 1995 for exceptional service and sacrifice in the representation of the criminally accused.

Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year

Mari Newman was named the 2012 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year by the Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council Dan B. Davidson Award

David Lane was recognized in 2011 for his exceptional service to the Colorado disabilities community.

Do the Right Thing Award, The Arc Pikes Peak Region

Mari Newman received the Arc Pikes Peak Region's "Do the Right Thing Award" in 2019

Denver Business Journal’s Forty Under Forty

Mari Newman was named as one of the Denver Business Journal’s 2009 “Forty Under Forty,” recognizing forty outstanding local professionals under age 40 for their business success and community contributions.

Out Front Colorado Power List

Mari Newman was recognized in 2011 as one of “45 LGBT leaders, volunteers and organizations that are making a difference.”

Denver Bar Foundation Richard Marden Davis Award

Mari Newman was honored with the 2009 Richard Marden Davis Award, a joint award of the Denver Bar Foundation, the Davis Family, and the Law Firm of Davis, Graham and Stubbs, presented to a Denver lawyer under the age of 40 who combines excellence as a lawyer with creative civic, cultural, educational and charitable leadership.

Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s Young Trial Lawyer of the Year

Mari Newman was named the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s 2008 Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer of the Year.

Colorado Legal Initiatives Project Barrister of the Year

Mari Newman was named the 2007 Barrister of the Year by the Colorado Legal Initiatives Project.

Newsed Community Development Civil Rights Award

David Lane was the recipient of the Newsed Community Development Award in 1997.

Colorado Bar Foundation Fellow

Mari Newman has been named as a Fellow of the Colorado Bar Foundation (2008 - present), a designation bestowed upon no more than five percent of the lawyers in Colorado for “outstanding dedication to the welfare of the community, the traditions of the profession and the maintenance and advancement of the objectives of the Colorado Bar Association.”

AWARDS