Kevin Massaro

My family settled on the Texas coast, predominantly near Corpus Christ. My late father had an eighth grade education as one of eleven children where the kids went to work for the family as soon as they were able. Correspondingly, my parents instilled a love of education to my sister and I, resulting in a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, where I obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. After several years in engineering, I sought a more rewarding career, and attended law school at the University of Denver. Despite having to work full-time with two young children, I decided that a career in law was my passion.

After graduating from law school in 1994, my second career began in criminal defense. That put me in a courtroom, and taught me the value of an honorable compromise. Later, I started working about halftime in family law. At first, I found a family practice somewhat frustrating because I saw people whose lives were in turmoil. But working in criminal defense taught me that even when faced with the most negative of circumstances, there is still an opportunity to build a positive future.

Family law matters are often difficult, even if everything goes well. For many, there is barely enough money to go around before the divorce, and now, most of their expenses double. People who once pledged to spend their lives together now want to get as far away from each other as humanly possible. The children, who are too often caught in the middle of a divorce, find the uncertainty in their lives troubling, and often react in negative ways. And things that people would tolerate become intolerable, as tensions heighten. In addition to divorce and custody cases, I also handle Colorado family law appeals.

I think the practice of family law requires a practical, results-based approach. As one attorney told me early in my practice "Some lawyers forget that our job is to bring the case to an end." For many, that end will occur in a conference room, with a compromise solution. For others, that end can only come from having their day in court, notwithstanding that family law cases are seldom the complete victory, but more like an 86 to 83 basketball game.

Every action that I take in a family law matter is intended to move you toward that end. If it requires me to fight to get the result you need, then that's the approach we will take. If a calmer, more negotiated settlement is the goal, which should be true for most cases, then that is the path we will take.

But my approach to the case will always be reasonable and practical. We will present our case with skill, professionalism, and the highest standards of integrity. We will aggressively move the case forward, but will avoid tactics that unnecessarily add to the costs of litigation. We will consider what is best for the children, just as the court must, and will present your case in the best possible light. I will work to find the shortest path to settlement or resolution, so the healing process can begin, and you can begin working toward a new and better life.

In addition to my normal workload of cases with complex financial and psychological issues, my practice has evolved to where I'm representing a lot of military and law enforcement. Many of these positions carry special challenges, such as maintaining secrecy, or taking the necessary steps to protect a security clearance. Important, too, is that we protect your ability to work, and avoid any accusations that may affect your employment.

Fate has given me a grandson, now seven, who spends a fair bit of time with me. My other spare time events put me in the mountains and fields. Depending on the season, I may be skiing, fishing, rafting, hunting in several states, or just enjoying time at altitude. I may also be cooking, as fine dining is another one of my passions. You can also find me in the stands at just about any sporting event in Denver as I enjoy football, baseball, basketball and hockey! In 2010, I hosted a CLE roundtable discussion at the Colorado Bar Association regarding domestic violence.