For November鈥檚 Alum of the Month, K.C. Groves (鈥�91), attending Colorado Law is a family affair. This is because his father, Kenneth C. Groves, a prominent former litigator in the Denver area also attended Colorado Law, graduating in 1960. Specializing in complex commercial litigation, Groves is the managing director of the Denver-based firm Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe. He has been selected as a Colorado Super Lawyer for business litigation in each of the past eight years and the Chambers USA Guide for general commercial litigation for the past two years. In addition, Groves is currently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Colorado Judicial Institute, is a former Chairman of the Board of SGC Legal (formerly the State Capital Group), and has been a Fellow with the Colorado Bar Foundation since 2009.
Groves, who is a fourth-generation Coloradan, was born and raised in Southeast Denver. Growing up with a father in the legal profession clearly left an impression on Groves as, by the time he decided to attend the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies, he had already decided that he wanted to be an attorney. It should come as no surprise then that instead of taking one of the usual college summer jobs, Groves chose to work as a paralegal at his father鈥檚 boutique litigation firm. While there, he had a chance to assist the firm in preparing for a few big trials and fell in love with the work. After earning his degree in 1988, Groves considered a number of different options for law school but eventually decided that, as he eventually wanted to return home to practice, his father鈥檚 alma mater was a natural choice. As he describes it, once he learned that he was accepted at Colorado Law, it was an easy decision.
Groves excelled at Colorado Law, and his experience at a few different litigation clerkships during law school confirmed for him that he wanted to pursue the specialty. Upon graduation, he returned to his father鈥檚 firm of Groves & Butcher to begin his career in 1991. When his father retired eight years later in 1999, he moved to the Denver office of Reinhart Boerner & Van Deuren, a Milwaukee-based firm. When that firm decided to close its Denver office a few years later, Groves accepted a position with Ireland Stapleton.
In 2004, at the age of 38, the firm鈥檚 directors elected Groves as Managing Director, a responsibility he admits he was initially a bit reluctant about. He did, however, accept the position and feels very fortunate to have had an incredibly supportive group of senior attorneys assisting him. Among that group, Groves is particularly thankful for the guidance he received from Denver legal legend Monte Pascoe. Pascoe, who passed away in 2006, was passionate in his belief that the firm would be best served by putting its younger attorneys with longer career horizons in top managerial positions. Groves also notes that watching his father successfully lead his own firm for many years taught him a number of invaluable lessons and did a great deal to prepare him for the job.
Five Questions for K.C. Groves (鈥�91)
What is your fondest memory of being a student at Colorado Law?
The friendships, which have endured to this day.
What do you know now that you wish you had known in law school?
How to Shepardize a case with a single keystroke.
What advice would you give to current students as they鈥檙e preparing to graduate?
Enjoy being a student.聽 Once you decide what you want to do after law school, get as much hands-on experience as possible.聽 When you get your first job, find a great mentor.
Who was the biggest influence on your career?
My father, Ken Groves, who was a very gifted lawyer and businessman.
Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
Twenty years of marriage and two great kids.