Jean has been practicing law since 1983 and enjoys the challenge and especially the people involved in each case – both her clients and opposing counsel. She entered the legal profession to help others and solve problems. Jean’s ideals, while often tested, remain the same: helping individuals in their businesses, big and small, and in their personal lives, communicate better and solve legal issues in creative ways. Sometimes solutions are found by going to Court or Arbitration, but more often, deals are made and creative legal solutions are constructed in a way that brings closure, resolution and satisfaction.
Jean enjoys singing, piano, hiking, golfing, swimming, skiing, reading and yoga. She is a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church. She and Rich have two children, Allan (a C.U. graduate) and Sierra (Purdue University Graduate). They are both active in music, mission and outreach through Green Mountain United Methodist Church, pro bono legal services for Denver Urban Ministries as well as Metro Volunteer Lawyers. Jean is also a co-garden leader for the Cedarhill Community Garden, part of the Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) garden network. She is on the board for the American Society of Professional Estimators and an Adjunct Professor at Red Rocks Community College teaching business law and real estate.
Areas of Practice
- Construction Litigation and Claims
- Mechanic’s Liens
- Civil and Commercial Litigation
- Business Law and Planning
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Real Estate
- Creditor Representation in Bankruptcy Court
- Administrative Law
- Professional Training, Teaching and Staff Development
Litigation Percentage
- 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Colorado, 1983
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 1983
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1983
Education
- University of Denver College of Law, Denver, Colorado
- University of Denver
- B.S.B.A. summa cum laude – 1980
- University of Denver
Published Works
- Chapter 13: “The Construction Manager and the Design-Build Project,” Jean C. Arnold and Chris Squadra, Design Professional and Construction Manager Law, eds. Stephen A. Hess, Jerome V. Bales, P. Douglas Folk, L. Tyrone Holt, American Bar Association, 2007
- Liens and Claims in Colorado 3rd Edition 2023, Published by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc.
- CBA + CLE (Contributing Author) Liens and Claims Handbook, Colorado Section 2023 Published and Updated Annually by National Association of Credit Managers
- Colorado Lien Notes, Lexis Nexis 2024 [Updated annually]
- “A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing: Mechanic’s Lien and Notice of Intent; Notice Extending Time to File Lien Statement; Disburser’s Notice; Verified Claim; Notice Under Miller Act, Jean. C. Arnold., Self-published, 2000 present [Updated annually]
Representative Clients
- Wagner Equipment Co.
- Pro Build South, LLC
- Rio Grande Co.
- BMC West Corp.
Classes/Seminars
- Mechanics Lien Seminar (Virtual). Covering a broad range of information including the ins and outs of filing liens, disburser notices, and bond claims. Mechanic’s Lien Basics+, 2023/2024
- Presented for CBA/CLE Construction and Real Estate Law Sections; National Business Institute and annually for Mountain States Commercial Credit
- Construction Credit Management – Mechanic’s Liens, Mountain States Commercial Credit, 1994 – 2008
- “What to do before you call your lawyer – Contract review made easy”, Presented to various professional trade organizations and employers, 1995 – Present
- “So Who Says You Can’t Get Paid?” – Collection Tools for the Construction Industry, Presented to various professional trade organizations and employers, 1985 – Present
- Judgment and Mechanic’s Liens – Colorado, National Business Institute
- Contract Review Basics: The Proposal, 2024
- American Society of Professional Estimators Southwest Regional Conference, 2023
- The Green Roof Initiative Update, Presented for the CBA/CLE Construction Ethics, 2024 National Business Institute
- Watch that check – UCC and commercial paper, National Association of Credit Managers
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Denver Bar Association, Member
- 1st Judicial District Bar Association, Member
- Colorado Bar Association, Real Estate Section Member and Past Chair of the Real Estate Section Council; Construction Law Member
- Alfred Arraj Inn of Court, Member
- Law Club, Member, 2007 – Present
Past Employment Positions
- Wolf & Slatkin, P.C., Shareholder, 1983 – 1994
- Howard Electrical & Mechanical, Inc., Project Engineer, 1974 – 1983
Pro Bono Activities
- Metro Volunteer Lawyers, 1983 – Present
- Volunteer, Kenner, Louisiana – Hurricane Katrina relief and reconstruction work, 2006
- Volunteer, Greensburg, Kansas – Tornado reconstruction work, 2008
- Volunteer, Puerto Rico – Hurricane Maria reconstruction, 2018
- Habitat for Humanity, 2022 Build and Volunteer/Fundraiser
