Andrew Ringel

ringela@hallevans.com
Direct - (303) 628-3453
1125 17th Street, Suite 600
Denver, Colorado 80202
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Hall & Evans has litigated more civil appeals in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals than any other Colorado law firm as well as more civil appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.  Andrew D. Ringel is a member of this group.

After getting my law degree, I got my first taste of appellate litigation when I served as a law clerk with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and I have enjoyed its unique challenges ever since.  In particular, I find it professionally and personally rewarding to defend Colorado public entities in cases before the state and federal appeals courts.

Andrew D. Ringel handles civil appeals in the areas of public entity law, civil rights, employment discrimination, constitutional law, administrative and regulatory law, land use, insurance bad faith, ERISA, health care, premises liability, and other civil and commercial litigation.  Appeals include:

Two customer service representatives at Denver International Airport claimed personal injury and damages due to environmental contamination at the airport, including noxious odors, sewage leaks, and mold.  Although they attributed their illnesses to this cause in 1999, they did not file a claim until 2002, well beyond the 180-day limit.  They argued that their claim was filed within 180 days of a recurring injury.  In City and County of Denver v. Crandall, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that public entities in Colorado do not face liability under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act when the claimant files a notice of claim within 180 days of a recurring injury but not the original injury.

When a municipality institutes a budget freeze on salary increases for its employees for fiscal reasons, are municipal police officers and firefighters still entitled to “step pay” pay increases?  In Schulz v. City of Longmont, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said “no.”  Representation made to new hires regarding future salary increases do not bind future city councils through breach of contract, promissory estoppel or federal deprivation of property rights without due process.

After a college employee filed an internal complaint of sexual harassment against her supervisor, she was reassigned to a number of different positions within the college.  She claimed retaliation.  In Tran v. Trustees of State Colleges in Colorado, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied this claim concluding that the employee had failed to demonstrate that the reassignments constituted adverse employment actions or that they did not occur for legitimate business reasons.

From 1994 to 1996, Andrew served as judicial law clerk to The Honorable John C. Porfilio, U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, gaining insight into the inner workings of the appeals process. He also served on the staff of U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

Publications

“The Complex Web of Internet Jurisdiction,” For the Defense, Mar. 2003.
“Public Employees and Employers,” Colorado Employment Law, 1998.
“The Population Policy Debate and the World Bank: Limits to Growth v. Supply-Side           Demographics,” Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, 1993.

Presentations

“Preserving Your Right to Appeal,” 2006, a CLE program
“Workplace Violence,” 2006, a CLE program
“Colorado Personnel Law Update,” 2006 and 2005, a CLE program
“Counsel/Co-Counsel Program In-Service Training,” 2006 and 2004,
          to Faculty of Federal Advocates
“New Commissioner and Elected Official Orientation for County Officials in Colorado,”
          2005, 2001, 1999 and 1997, to Colorado Counties, Inc.
“Legal Issues Involving Colorado Local Governments,” 2004, a CLE program
“ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation in Colorado,” 2001, 2000, and 1999, a CLE program

Memberships

American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Faculty of Federal Advocates
Defense Research Institute
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association

Business/Community Involvement

Fifty for Colorado, 2004, University of Colorado
          A selective program for study of the Colorado economy and its impact on state           industries.
                    Leeds School of Business and Division of Continuing Education
Devereux Cleo Wallace, 2006
          A non-profit organization providing services for persons with emotional, developmental           and educational disabilities.
                    Member, Advisory Board
                    Chair, Advocacy Committee

Education

Georgetown University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1994
          Articles editor, Georgetown International Environmental Law Review
          Certificate of Recognition in the Study of Land Use Law,
                    ABA Section of Urban, State, and Local Government Law
          Research assistant, Prof. Daniel R. Ernst, Georgetown University Law Center
Claremont McKenna College, B.A., Literature and History, magna cum laude, 1991
          Best History Major Award
          Dunbar Fellowship
          Honors Thesis

Admitted to Practice

Colorado, 1994
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Outside the Office

When I am not helping clients with their civil appeals, I enjoy reading, especially mysteries and police procedurals. I am a big fan of popular music including rock, blues, jazz, punk, metal, hip-hop and alternative. In addition, I enjoy downhill skiing, dining at good restaurants, and spending time with my family.

Please contact me at any time with your questions about civil appeals to the 10th Circuit.