About Patrick Hustead

Patrick started The Hustead Law Firm to create something extraordinary: a high-energy law firm committed to defining the cutting edge of litigation. He was formerly a partner in one of Denver’s largest silk-stocking law firms, is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and all the standard trappings. What is not standard is his singular focus when it comes to perfection in civil litigation. Trials and appeals.

Complex litigation is the primary focus of Patrick’s practice. As any real trial lawyer will tell you, the subject of the case is essentially irrelevant; the key to being an effective litigator is the advocate’s tactical acuity and willingness to engage in battle. It’s for this reason that Patrick has litigated a wide variety of cases. Early in Patrick’s career, his practice was focused on a variety of commercial disputes, from employment to real estate to banking. At this point, he is best known for his depth of experience in insurance and surety-related litigation of all kinds, from simple bond defaults and catastrophic injury cases to complex construction disputes and multi-million dollar class actions.

Patrick’s particular forte is trying cases and winning them. He has successfully tried to juries numerous liability and bond-related cases, including all those listed in the “HLF Cases” section of this website. Key to Patrick’s effectiveness is his grip on the law as evidenced by his well-established appellate practice. He has over 90 published opinions in six states. He has made several arguments to the Colorado Supreme Court, including the often-cited Union Insurance v. Houtz.

Patrick is also a member of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. Patrick has handled numerous litigation and/or insurance-related matters in all of the foregoing jurisdictions, as well as Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Patrick has four kids and even though they no longer laugh at his interminable jokes, they secretly think he is hilarious. When there is free time, Patrick enjoys books, guitars, hunting, fishing, and bullfights. After growing up a “rodeo cowboy” in the Western American rodeo culture on the “Wall” of the Badlands National Park, Patrick gravitated to its European cousin, the Spanish bullfighting world. Many of his close friends live in Spain and Patrick has been a regular participant in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona for the past five decades.