Ian Z. Shea

Ian Z. Shea

Ian is dedicated to helping his clients at any stage of their family law journey.

With 19 years of family law experience, Ian is adept at explaining the law to clients and working with them to develop strategies for the most favorable resolution of their cases.  This includes listening to clients at every phase of the family law process and counseling them on strategies and likely outcomes based on the facts presented.  Ian believes that clients often achieve their best results in mediation or settlement negotiations; however, when the parties reach an impasse, Ian uses his considerable trial and pre-trial experience to help his clients achieve their best outcomes in the courtroom.

Ian has written and taught about complicated assets in divorce cases and has significant experience working with complicated trust assets, business valuations, deferred compensation and other such assets.

Ian has significant experience in complicated parenting cases.  Ian excels at reaching favorable outcomes for parents of children with special needs, for families affected by inter-family violence, and for families where mental health or substance use issues are alleged.

Some families do not receive a favorable result at trial.  Ian is skilled at evaluating cases to determine whether errors in the proceedings would likely lead to a favorable appeal.  Further, Ian offers insight to clients about other courses of action they may take in the face of unfavorable orders.

Ian advises spouses with respect to premarital agreements.  For parties seeking these agreements, Ian is experienced at drafting documents which protect assets from claims in divorce or probate.  For parties presented with agreements drafted by their future partner, Ian offers advice about the effect of the agreement relative to Colorado law and suggest changes which might be more favorable for the client.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Appellate Law
• Premarital Agreements

Bar Admissions

• Colorado, 2005
• District of Colorado, 2005
• S. Supreme Court, 2005

Education

• The George Washington University Law School, J.D.-2005
• University of Colorado, Boulder, B.A.-2000
  • Presidents Leadership Class Scholar
  • Boettcher Scholar

Honors and Awards

• Best Lawyers,* 2024, 2023, 2022
• Martindale-Hubbel Client Champion, 2024
• Ric Morgan Outstanding Volunteer Award, 2024

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Colorado Bar Association, Member
• Colorado Bar Association Board of Delegates, 2022-23
• Denver Bar Association, Member
• Douglas Elbert Bar Association, Member
• Douglas Elbert Bar Association, President 2022 to 2023
• Douglas Elbert Bar Association, Vice President 2021 to 2022
• Douglas Elbert Bar Association, Secretary 2020 to 2021
• Douglas Elbert Bar Association, Treasurer 2019 to 2020
• 18^th Judicial District Access to Justice Committee, 2022 to 2023