PROFILE OF MICHAEL C. SANTO
PROFILE OF JIM COLLING
Partner of Bechtel & Santo, L.L.P.
Betty provides day-to-day advice to managers, and represents businesses in state and federal agency actions and court litigations. She is a frequent lecturer on employment law issues, and contributing author for: The Practitioner's Guide to Colorado Employment Law, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in Colorado, Inc. (1999 and supplements); The Practitioner's Guide to Colorado Business Organizations, CLE in Colorado, Inc. (2004); and the Employer's Advisory, a Bechtel & Santo quarterly newsletter, published since 1994. She is a member of the Mesa County Bar Association (President 1996) and Colorado Bar Association (Member, Labor Law Section since 1982; Board of Governors, 1997-1999). Betty has served as Board member and Chair of several non-profit organizations including Mesa County Economic Development Council (n/k/a/ Grand Junction Economic Partners); Mesa County Pro Bono Association; The Business Incubator Center; Cinema at the Avalon; Hilltop Rehabilitation Hospital; Hospice of the Grand Valley; and Western Colorado Area Health Education Center.
Currently, she is on the Board of Directors for The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
Partner of Bechtel & Santo, L.L.P.
Michael Santo began practicing law in his home state of Michigan in 1992 after receiving his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Detroit. Within a couple of years after graduation from law school, he fulfilled a life-long dream of moving to Colorado when he accepted a position with Dufford, Waldeck, Milburn & Krohn. Since that move in 1994, Michael focused his practice on defending companies in employment litigation, including race, sex, age, national origin, religious and disability discrimination lawsuits; wrongful discharge; and wage and hour matters. In addition, he regularly represents employers in prosecuting and defending claims of trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and employee raiding.
Counseling companies on day-to-day employment issues is also an important part of Michael’s practice. This includes counseling employers on hiring, discipline, and termination decisions; on leave and disability issues; and on preparing and revising employee handbooks. By helping employers develop sound personnel policies, Michael has assisted many Colorado companies, large and small, in minimizing the risk of employment-related litigation.
Michael is also a frequent lecturer on employment law issues, and contributing author for: The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in Colorado, Inc. (1999 and supplements); The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Business Organizations, CLE in Colorado, Inc., (2004); and The Employer’s Advisory, a Bechtel & Santo quarterly newsletter, published since 1994.
In 2003, he also realized another life-long goal when he completed his first Ironman Triathlon. Since that race, he continues to participate in triathlons of varying lengths and has spent time helping to organize Grand Junction’s first triathlon club, The Grand Junction TriDogs.
Associate of Bechtel & Santo, L.L.P.
Jim Colling graduated from Princeton University in 1999 with a BA in Psychology. In addition to his academic pursuits, Jim pursued his passion for running as Captain for the Men's Track and Field and Men's Cross Country programs. After taking two years off to train for the Olympic trials, he attended George Mason University School of Law, graduating in 2004, Magna Cum Laude. While attending George Mason, Jim was Associate Editor of the George Mason Law Review.
After law school, Jim clerked for the Honorable Frederick H. Weisberg, Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In November 2006 he returned to his home state of Colorado. Jim joined the firm of Bechtel & Santo, LLP as an associate in January 2007. His practice emphasizes employment law for businesses, as well as general business law and civil litigation. In addition to being licensed to practice law in Colorado, Jim is licensed in Virginia, and Washington D.C.
