Harold Haddon

As one of the founding members of Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, Hal Haddon’s practice focuses on representing individuals and companies in white collar crime, complex civil litigation, and government investigations. He has broad expertise in many areas of criminal and civil litigation in state and federal courts across the country.

Hal consistently has been recognized by his peers as one of the top trial attorneys in the country and he is well known for his vigorous representation of individuals and companies in high profile criminal and civil litigation.

Before forming the firm in 1976 with Brian Morgan, Hal served as Chief Trial Deputy for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office and briefly taught criminal trial advocacy as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Denver School of Law. He continues to lecture on criminal justice and litigation topics around the country.

A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Hal has served on numerous ABA national committees and task forces seeking to reform the criminal justice system.

Hal has been active in his community for many decades, serving on the Board of Trustees for Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado and the boards of directors for Fresh Start, Inc., the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Colorado and the Duke Law School Board of Visitors.

Hal was the Campaign Manager for Colorado U.S. Senator Gary Hart’s 1974 and 1980 campaigns as well as the National Political Director for Senator Hart’s Presidential Campaign in 1987. He also served as the Finance Chairman for Colorado Governor Richard Lamm’s 1978 campaign.

SELECTED REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Frederic Bourke (2009-2015). Southern District of New York indictment for alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, false statements and money laundering. Jury acquittal of money laundering charge; guilty of one count of FCPA violation and one count of false statements. Second Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court appeals, post-conviction proceedings. (Co-counsel with partner Saskia Jordan)

CEO, Delta Petroleum (2012 – 2014). Southern District of New York and District of Colorado federal criminal investigation of insider trading. No indictment.

Hogan Lovells (2007-2013). Trial, appellate and arbitration proceedings in civil malpractice and contract actions. General Steel Domestic Sales, LLC v. Hogan & Hartson, LLP, 230 P.3d 1275 (Colo. App. 2010).

Colorado Episcopal Diocese (2008-2011). Special prosecutor in ecclesiastical proceedings against a priest.

University of Colorado (1996-2004). Colorado federal patent fraud case brought by University against American Home Products division (now Wyeth). Tried in 1996 to verdict ($45M judgment), reversed on appeal, retried in 2001 to verdict ($58M judgment), affirmed by Federal Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court (2004).

Kobe Bryant (2003-2004). Colorado state charge of sexual assault and related civil suit. Case dismissed during jury selection. (Co-counsel with partner Pamela Mackey)

McGraw-Hill (2003). Colorado federal criminal investigation of false statement allegations. No indictment.

Qwest Communications (2002-2010). Colorado federal criminal investigation of securities fraud and numerous internal investigations conducted for the corporation. No corporate indictment.

Facilities Manager, BP Alaska Division (1998-1999). Alaska federal criminal investigation of environmental crimes. No charges against client. (Co-counsel with partner Pamela Mackey)

Boeing Corp (1997-2003). Federal criminal investigation and Texas federal suit under qui tam statute for false claims relating to nuclear bomber aircraft components. No criminal charges filed. Qui tam suit settled in 2003.

John Ramsey (1996-present). Colorado state grand jury investigation into murder of Jon Benet Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey was publicly exonerated by District Attorney in July 2008 after DNA testing.

President, Summitville Mining Co. (1994-2002). Colorado federal criminal investigation and federal CERCLA suit brought by United States for alleged environmental crimes. Civil suit settled for $22M, no criminal charges filed against President. (Lead counsel in criminal investigation, co-counsel with Jim Lyons in the civil CERCLA suit)

OEA, Inc. (1994-1995). Colorado federal criminal indictment of public corporation for environmental crimes. Corporation pled guilty and paid fine. (Co-counsel with partner Bryan Morgan)

Mobil Oil (1993-1996). Multiple state and federal class action suits alleging ADEA violations and pension fraud. Claims against Mobil were dismissed after protracted trial court proceedings and several state and federal court appeals. (Co-counsel with Michael Tigar)

Arthur Andersen (1992). Indicted for Colorado state tax fraud. Dismissed. (Co-counsel with partner Lee Foreman)

Wrongful death suit (helicopter crash) on behalf of passenger’s widow (1990- 1993). Colorado state court vs. public utility. Jury verdict of $3.5M, affirmed on appeal.

Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (1990-1991). Colorado state charges of sexual assault, possession of explosives, and possession of drugs. Case dismissed after preliminary hearing. Personal Representative of Hunter S. Thompson Estate (2005-2008).

Rockwell International Corporation (1989-1998). Defended corporation in the Rocky Flats federal environmental crime investigation and related qui tam action (Colorado) (pled guilty to corporate criminal charges in 1992, 18.5M fine). Defended corporation in a 1992-1994 Iowa federal indictment alleging time charge fraud. Dismissed. Defended corporation in a 1995-1996 Texas federal criminal grand jury investigation of quality fraud. No indictment. Internal investigations conducted for the corporation.

President of Unichem (1988-1990). Investigation of federal RCRA criminal violations in Wyoming. President exonerated, corporation convicted.

President of Excellair (1988-1995). Federal civil antitrust case (Colorado) brought by United States against Excellair and its president for allegedly monopolizing local air commerce. Trial to court began in 1989 and continued incrementally until 1995. President settled for $25,000 prior to verdict.

Kiewit and its CEO (1988-1989). Civil suit (Colorado) for bid rigging. Settled.

Kiewit executive (1987). Charged with Colorado and New Mexico federal crimes arising from allegedly using an MBE subcontractor to rig a bid. Jury acquittal.

President of Cattle King (1986-1988). Charged with federal environmental and meat inspection crimes in Colorado. President pled guilty to a misdemeanor.

Kiewit executive (1985). Charged with Colorado federal criminal antitrust violations (bid rigging) in Colorado. Jury acquittal.

PUBLICATIONS

“Representing a Celebrity Criminal Defendant.” 33 Litigation Magazine, No. 4, p. 19 (2007)

Tenth Circuit Historical Society Oral History of Harold A. “Hal” Haddon
Podcast: Excerpts from the Oral History of Hal Haddon — Part 1
Podcast: Excerpts from the Oral History of Hal Haddon — Part 2
Oral History of Harold A. “Hal” Haddon
Transcript of the Oral History of Harold A. “Hal” Haddon