Law firm answers to a higher power
Christian focus sets Romero apart in the field
By Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 24, 2008 at 7:04 p.m.
Visitors to the offices of Douglas Romero's law firm aren't greeted with framed law degrees on the wall. Instead, there's a plaque that reads "Jesus Christ is Lord," and next to it is a photo of a father and his young son praying at a Promise Keepers rally.
Soothing tunes are courtesy of K-LOVE FM-91.1, the Christian broadcast station.
And job-seeking attorneys are surprised when Romero pops an interview question that has nothing to do with where they earned their law degrees.
"So my question is, 'Tell me, how is your walk with God?' They're shocked. They'd say, 'I thought you'd want to know where I went to law school?' "
The Law Office of Douglas Romero - Colorado Christian Defense Counsel has four other lawyers, four paralegals and an investigator who pray that justice is blind and God is not when it comes to defending their clients and causes.
"When we're advocating for God, when he's on our side, who could be against us if he's for us?" Romero reasons.
Every Wednesday the entire staff gathers for about an hour, to go over the Bible with Pastor Tony Costa, who gets a stipend for his services to the firm.
Romero founded his firm in west Denver four years ago. It marked a milestone for a man who earned a law degree in his mid-40s and who, by his own description, was a "bum and a drunk" before finding God.
High-profile client
The firm currently is handling several felony and immigration matters and five civil cases of alleged police brutality. Among them is the celebrated incident involving Denver police officer Charles Porter, who is accused of beating Romero's 16-year-old client, Juan G. Vasquez.
Vasquez was hanging out with friends at a home near West 37th Avenue and Pecos Street on April 18. Officers who were patrolling the neighborhood thought Vasquez was drinking alcohol.
Vasquez ran. When officers caught up with him, they started kicking and beating him, his lawyers said. Porter is accused of jumping up and down on Vas quez. Porter, charged by the district attorney with first-degree assault, has been suspended from the department.
Romero says he has forgiven Porter but that hasn't kept him from seeking $3 million in damages for his client.
"I want compensation," he said. The case is now in U.S. district court and a settlement is possible.
Romero Law clerk Andrew J. O'Conner became an aggressive advocate for the Vasquez lawsuit early on and an outspoken critic of the police department and the city attorney's office.
Perhaps too aggressive. Romero removed O'Conner from the case.
"I feel sad, but he was not exemplifying probably the very best Christian attitude and values that we aspire to attain," Romero said.
O'Conner declined to talk about the Vasquez case, saying he didn't want to jeopardize a possible settlement.
"It's got nothing to do with me or it has nothing to do with Doug. It has to be about the Vasquez family," O'Conner said.
'Big learning experience'
Romero said he and his staff are proof that Christian lawyers can fervently represent their clients.
"I'm probably more ferocious as a Christian attorney," Romero says. "I pray for my enemies but I can't let them take advantage over my client."
Lawyer Michael Hudson, who said he's working on trying to be a more devout Christian, said the variety of cases handled by the firm is to his liking.
"It's been a real, big learning experience," said Hudson, who joined about four months ago. "I like the people here and the diversity of cases here, and the opportunity to litigate a lot."
In 1979, Romero was accepted into University of Denver Law School but lasted only a year and a half.
"I would have been disbarred from practicing law," Romero said. "I was into women, wine, song and drugs. Back in the '80s that's what you did."
Romero found himself at the Salvation Army's shelter in 1991.
"I stayed there a couple of nights, and I thought, 'These guys are all bums and drunks,' and I realized I was a bum and a drunk, and I asked God to come into my heart," he recalled.
Romero tried for readmission at DU five more times and was rejected all five times. In 1996, Romero even received a letter from DU telling him essentially to stop applying. The letter hangs on the wall of his office as a reminder.
"God got a hold of me, but I got kicked out of law school," he joked.
Romero tried his luck in Lansing, Mich., where he finally was accepted into Thomas Cooley Law School. Romero was 45 when he got his law degree. He's now 52.
Passing the state bar was still another hurdle. After law school, he got married and his focus shifted to family. It would take him three shots to pass the bar.
Which, Romero says, only goes to show that "Doing God's will is not always easy."
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August 25, 2008
12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
jangeneg writes:
Really enjoyed this writeup...Thanks Hector. It's encouraging to hear about a person who's been down at the bottom and has come back with God's help.
Read those previous 3 comments...sad attitudes.
August 25, 2008
2:23 p.m.
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lisag12 writes:
It's sad to hear the 3 comments listed. they must feel that we cant defend ourselves just like anyone else. if its wrong its wrong. i think they need a lesson on the truth.
September 2, 2008
6:59 p.m.
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anthonyx2 writes:
Hearing that there are faithful people like Romero advocating for truth is very encouraging. What a great testimony of faith, perseverance, and trust in God!