“I enjoy the challenge of resolving family law problems and the sense of mutual accomplishment that I feel with clients when they can move forward with their lives.  I appreciate hearing from clients and knowing how their lives are progressing after our work together has been completed.”

Respectful and compassionate, David is a careful listener and an astute problem solver.  He will help you explore your options and make the choices which will produce the best outcomes for you and your family.  David’s goal is to protect you and your family as your progress through a divorce or other Family Law matters.  He will help you to decide whether litigation or problem solving through alternative dispute resolution offers the best outcomes for you in resolving your Family Law legal matter.  In preparation for life after divorce or another family law matter, he can assist you in obtaining the tools and resources to restructure your life.

David Littman is a highly experienced litigator who also believes in the value of alternative dispute resolution in family law matters.  When it is appropriate, he suggests utilizing Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques including Mediation, Arbitration, Collaborative Law, and Early Neutral Assessment, before turning to the courtroom to resolve family law disputes.  

These ADR methods can lower the cost and shift the control of the divorce and custody process from the judges and lawyers to the clients since you make the decisions.  Understanding that litigation is far more costly than negotiated resolutions, David is sensitive to the preservation of your family’s financial resources. 

When litigation is required, he draws on his many years of federal and state jury and court trial experience to advocate persuasively and effectively for his clients. A former part time Magistrate in Denver and Jefferson Counties, he has special insight into the inner working of the courtroom process.

David’s background in psychology and mental health counseling assists him in working with your complex family issues.  He has recognized competency in dealing with extremely difficult matters, including those involving sexual abuse, alienation, substance abuse and mental illness. His concern for the unique issues military families face during their service has prompted his interest in working with these families.

David’s pro bono work earned him the Foster Parent Association of Colorado Advocate of the Year Award, as well as recognition by the Colorado Supreme Court.  He is a past Chairman of Colorado CASA Board and a strong supporter and participant with Metro Volunteer Lawyers.

David has been recognized by both his clients and his peers for his outstanding work as an effective and caring attorney.  Martindale Hubbell has given him their highest rating of Preeminent Status (AV). Avvo has given him their highest rating (10.0) and has also awarded him the Client’s Choice Award. He was honored by again by being named as a Colorado Super Lawyer as well as a Top 100 Lawyer in Colorado.  Best Lawyers has not only recognized his ability as a family law attorney, but in association with U.S. New and World Report, Littman Family Law and Mediation Services has been recognized as one of the top small law firms.

Areas of Practice

Divorce, Mediation, Pre-divorce Planning, Collaborative Law, Arbitration, Parenting Plans, Child Support, Custody and Parenting Time, Spousal Support/Maintenance, Asset Preservation and Division, Military Family Law Issues, Preparation for Child and Family Investigations, Early Neutral Assessment, Step-parent adoptions, Post-Decree Matters, Parenting Coordinator/Decision-Maker, Juvenile Law

Honors and Awards

• Best Lawyers- Annually since 2018
• Colorado Super Lawyers- Top 100 Lawyers in Colorado, 2020, 2021
• Colorado Super Lawyers- Annually since 2012
• U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers/Best Small Law Firms, annually since 2018
• AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell
• Avvo 10.0 Rating
• Avvo Client’s Choice Award
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel, annually since 2016
• Colorado Supreme Court Pro Bono Recognition Award, annually

Certificated Legal Training

• Annual Symposium on Domestic Violence, The Office of the Denver District Attorney, October, 2016
• Levels I, II and Advanced Collaborative Law Training
• Mediation Skills Training and Advanced Mediation Training Seminars
• Early Neutral Assessment
• Hastings College of Law Trial Advocacy Program

Sampling of Published Works

• Bench Bar Book, Family Law Section CBA [edited by Hon. Angela Arkin and Cynthia Ciancio] “Incapacity Appointments for Adults in Domestic Relations Cases,” 2021
• Parental Responsibilities/Child Legal Representative / Child and Family Investigator/ Parenting Coordinator/ /Arbitrator. Domestic Relations Law and Orders, 2016
• Bench Bar Book, Family Law Section CBA [edited by Cynthia Ciancio and Angela Arkin, “Adult Guardian ad Litems,” 2014 [with Ashley Emerson]
• Advocates for Children: “The CLR, CFI and PRE in Colorado Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse Cases,” 2012 [with Natalie Simpson]
• The Colorado Lawyer: “Child and Family Investigator Standards in Colorado,” 2006 [with Robert Smith and Lael Montgomery]
• Sampling of Classes and Seminars Taught
• Co-Presenter, Family Law Basic Skills Course “Professionalism in the Practice of Law, Annual Presentation since 2015
• Co-Presenter, Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee, “Polygraphy, The Law in Colorado,” November, 2020 
• Co-Presenter with Kevin Sidel, Family Law Institute, “Ethical and Practical Issues in Family Law Mediation 
• in the Time of COVID-19” August, 2020
• Presenter, Family Law Basic Skills Course, “Jurisdiction” 2013, 2014
• Presenter, Collaborative Arbitration, Colorado Collaborative Professionals, June 2017, May 2020
• Presenter, Family Law Institute, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Protecting Your Client at the End of Their Case
• Co-Presenter, Family Law Institute Breckenridge, Colorado, “Parenting Plans for Infants and Toddlers”
• Presenter, Colorado Continuing Legal Education Courses: Domestic Violence
• Family Law Institute, Vail Colorado, Client Competency Issues
• Co-Presenter, Colorado State ADR Conference, ADR and Client Competency Issues, 2016
• Co-Presenter, Colorado State ADR Conference, ADR, Collaborative Law and Client Competency Issues, 2017
• Presenter, Colorado Continuing Legal Education Courses: Including High Conflict Dissolution and Use and Interpretation of Psychological Tests and Representing Victims of Sexual and Ritual Abuse

Bar Admissions

• Colorado, 1980
• U.S. Federal Courts, 1980
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1980

Education

• Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
• J.D. – 1980
• Honors: Moot Court, 1978 – 1980
• Honors: Moot Court Board, 1979 – 1980
• Honors: American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts
• Washington University, St Louis, Missouri
• M.A. Ed. – 1973
• Major: Honors: Counseling Psychology
• Washington University, St Louis, Missouri
• M.A.T. – 1970
• Honors: Social and Behavioral Sciences Tuition Fellowship, Washington University
• Washington University, St Louis, Missouri
• B.A. – 1969
• Honors: Chancellor’s Award, 1968

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Colorado Bar Association, Ethics Committee, 2009 – Present
• Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section Executive Council, 1997 – Present, Chairman 2008 – 2009
• Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Executive Board, 2016- present
• Denver County Bar Association, 1980 – Present
• Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on Families 2015 – Present
• Colorado Supreme Court Standing Subcommittee on Client Competency Issues, 2020-Present
• Metropolitan Denver Interdisciplinary Council on Child Custody (MDICCC), Executive Council, 1997 – Present
• Academy for Collaborative Law Practice, 2004 – Present, Treasurer 2007 – Present
• Colorado CASA Board of Directors, 2001 – 2008, President, 2005 – 2007

Selected Past Legal Employment Positions

• Denver County Court, Magistrate, 1989 – 1994
• Jefferson County Court, Magistrate, 1981 – 1986
• City and County of Denver, Special Prosecutor, 1991
• Littman and McCahill, P.C., 1982-1990