Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Roger brings diverse experience to his law practice. He was accepted to the Louisiana Bar in 1995, and began his practice with the firm of McGlinchey Stafford in Louisiana where he worked primarily in litigation. While there, he handled business disputes, civil rights cases, employment cases, insurance matters, and complex construction litigation in the maritime industry. He moved to Colorado in 1998, was admitted to the Colorado Bar that same year, and practiced with the Denver trial firm Netzorg McKeever prior to his move to the Western Slope. While in Denver, among other things Roger worked on litigation involving long term coal supply contracts, REITS, and consumer protection disputes. Roger also handled the defense of a creditor suit relating to the bankruptcy of Western Pacific Airlines.

Roger moved to the Western Slope and joined the Tisdel Law Firm in 2001. He has been a shareholder since 2003. Since beginning his practice on the Western Slope, Roger has been involved in a wide variety of cases and legal matters. He was part of the trial team that successfully defended a small mining company and its officers against fraud claims brought by Barrick Goldstrike Mines. He secured substantial ERISA benefits on behalf of children and their court-appointed conservators from their late father’s employer. He brought malpractice claims against a surveying company resulting from errors in the survey of patented mining claims which resulted in a substantial settlement for his client.

Roger has drafted and negotiated complex business agreements on behalf of clients. His understanding of the pitfalls of drafting, through his litigation experience, helps him to advise clients about structuring agreements that have the best chance of avoiding future misunderstandings. That same skill also allows Roger to structure creative settlements in the litigation context.

Roger also practices criminal defense, and has taken on clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies throughout the Western Slope. As defense counsel, he is particularly interested and aware of 4th Amendment Search and Seizure issues that often present themselves in criminal cases.

Born and raised in Texas, Mike moved to Colorado after graduating from law school in 1974. He started his legal career as a VISTA Volunteer attorney, and later, as a staff attorney at Pikes Peak Legal Services in Colorado Springs. It was in Colorado Springs that Mike met his future wife, Nancy Ziglar. In 1979, Mike and Nancy moved to Boulder where Mike assumed the directorship of the University of Colorado Student Union Legal Services Office. In 1981, Mike joined the faculty of the University of Colorado Law School, first as the director of the University of Colorado Institute of Law and Aging, and then as an Associate Clinical Professor of Law, in the CU Legal Aid and Defender Program and as an adjunct professor teaching evidence and trial advocacy. Following the birth of their first child, Mike and Nancy decided to relocate to Ouray, Colorado, which they did in June, 1983. In 1984, after a brief stint as a partner in a small two-person law firm, Mike joined forces with Rich Tisdel, forming what is now known as The Tisdel Law Firm, so named in honor of Rich after his untimely death in 1999. Since 1984, Mike has been a shareholder and partner in the firm. Since arriving in Ouray, Mike has served as a member of 7th Judicial District Bench/Bar Relations Committee. He also was the president of the 7th JD Bar Association from 1986 to 1987. Mike served the Ouray School District as a member and president of the District Accountability Committee. Mike has represented Ouray County as an assistant County Attorney under Rich Tisdel from 1985 - 1995, and as the Ouray County Attorney from 1995 - 2000.