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Community Involvement

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Good Lawyers. Changing Lives. Supporting Our Community.

As a national litigation law firm, we recognize that the role we play in the communities is just as critical as our role in the courtroom. Our ingrained culture of service and our passionate desire to make a difference in the lives of others in our communities is woven into the fabric of our firm and all of our employees nation-wide.

We believe we have more to offer our communities than just our checkbook. In addition to making financial contributions to worthwhile causes, our lawyers and staff use their professional skills to support a variety of charities, nonprofits, and civic institutions through pro bono work, board service, and volunteerism.

Pro Bono Work

The trial attorneys at Burg Simpson are equally committed to offering pro bono legal services to those who need them most. We see it as a professional responsibility. Our attorneys go above and beyond the 50 hours of pro bono work we ask of them, which accounts for the more than 2,500 hours of pro bono work that Burg Simpson gives back to the community every year.

Board Service

Burg Simpson’s experienced trial lawyers also contribute their time and insight to the boards of various charitable organizations. Because of our investment in our communities, we feel it’s just as critical to help lead the organizations we’re so proud to help support.

Volunteerism

Finally, we believe the most important way we can make a difference is by spending time in our communities through our volunteer efforts. Above all else, we believe in service, both professionally and personally.

Charities & Community Organizations

Burg Simpson College Scholarship Program

Every year, our head office in Colorado holds the Burg Simpson College Scholarship Competition, which collects essays from college-bound high school Seniors across the state. These original, 1500-word essays are written on the importance of the civil jury system as a guardian of American rights & liberties. One 1st place winner and nine runner-up winners will win scholarship amounts from $1000 to $2500 to attend their choice of college, and will be invited to attend celebratory events such as the Colorado State Basketball Championship and a dinner with their families and a teacher of their choice held in their honor.

The Burg Simpson College Scholarship Program was founded in 2012 and, with the help of programs like the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), we have awarded over $100,000 to help Colorado students pursue a higher education.

Jeremy Bitner Memorial Fund & 10k/5k Race

The Jeremy Bitner Foundation was established in honor of Englewood, CO Police Detective Jeremy Bitner. Detective Bitner lost his life in the line of duty on May 28, 2012, after being struck and killed by a vehicle while performing a traffic stop.

Jeremy served the Englewood Police Department for 8 years and during that time was assigned to patrol, was a SWAT team member, and was a Field Training Officer. Jeremy loved being a police officer and serving his community. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many.

Burg Simpson shareholder Nick Fogel helped participate in the development of the fund as an inaugural board member. He continues to offer support through his role as a current board member and his active participation in the annual Jeremy Bitner Memorial 5K/10K Run & Walk. Proceeds from this event benefit the Fallen Officer Fund, to assist the families of fallen law enforcement officers in Colorado. Additionally, the fund provides assistance to Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and Judi’s House – organizations that provide bereavement programs for the families of fallen officers.

Craig Hospital

Burg Simpson is proud to support Denver-based Craig Hospital. Craig Rehabilitation Hospital is one of the country’s top facilities for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury research and treatment. Craig is a 93-bed, private, nonprofit, acute care and rehabilitation hospital that provides a comprehensive system of inpatient and outpatient medical care, rehabilitation, neurosurgical rehabilitative care, and long-term follow up services.

In fact, Craig Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 rehab centers every year over the last three decades. On average, Craig treats about 500 inpatients and 1,400 outpatients annually. Craig Hospital houses between 25 and 30 patients daily, most of whom have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Since 1956, they have helped more than 31,000 patients.

Craig offers a comprehensive system of care for TBI and SCI patients of all ages that extends well beyond initial medical treatment, including rehabilitation and long-term outpatient care. The medical professionals at Craig Hospital also work with the patient’s family and community to help provide a lifetime of care as they transition back to day-to-day life.

Burg Simpson and our team of experienced injury attorneys have been lifelong supporters of TBI and SCI victims. A critical part of that effort is our passionate support of Craig Hospital and the work it does.

Shareholder Peter W. Burg is a past Chairman of the Operating Board of Directors for Craig and has served on both the Craig Hospital Operating Board and the Craig Hospital Foundation Board for more than a decade. In fact, Peter has presented at the Brain Injury Summit, primarily organized and sponsored by Craig Hospital. In 2010, Burg Simpson also began airing television commercials featuring Craig Hospital.

In addition to helping raise awareness about TBIs and SCIs, several Burg Simpson shareholders have helped organize and promote the Craig Hospital PUSH Gala, the Craig Foundation’s biggest fundraising event every year. Peter Burg has been involved in helping to plan and raise money for the event for more than a decade.

That support does not stop there. Every year, Burg Simpson sponsors and underwrites “Home Runs for Craig” and “Touchdowns for Craig” campaigns promoted on Denver local radio stations 850 KOA and 630 KHOW. Burg Simpson donates to Craig Hospital for every Colorado Rockies home run and every Denver Broncos and Colorado Buffaloes touchdown. Burg Simpson also is regularly involved in and sponsors a riding team at Craig Hospital’s “Pedal 4 Possible” fundraising event.

Kaps for Kendall

Kendall Atkinson died in 2004 of Fanconi Anemia following complications from a bone marrow transplant. Her sisters started Kaps for Kendall to provide hats for patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments that cause hair loss. Burg Simpson has been a big part of the charity for the last five years. Attorneys and staff from the firm knit hats and give them to the charity. In turn, the hats are paired up sponsors – for $25, anyone can sponsor a hat! All money raised is donated to Fanconi Anemia research.

Burg Simpson knitters have produced hundreds of hats, which have been sent to hospitals all over the country, including Sloan Kettering, Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, to name a few.

LMSdr (Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation)

The Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation (LMSdr) raises money for new research and development in order to help find a cure for Leiomyosarcoma.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a type of sarcoma cancer. Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors which develop from smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles in our body. Involuntary muscles are those which we do not move consciously with our brain. Involuntary muscles are found in most parts of the body: in uterus, lungs, liver, stomach and intestines, walls of all blood vessels, and skin.

Shareholder Scott J. Eldredge has presented talks for the LMSdr Foundation in order to help victims of LMS recover funds for their injuries or diseases caused by medical malpractice or by dangerous devices, such as power morcellators.

Make-A-Wish

Consistent with Burg Simpson’s philosophy of “Good Lawyers, Changing Lives” and giving back to our community through charitable giving, Burg Simpson has supported Make-A-Wish Colorado since 2012.  Founded in 1983 as one of the nation’s first Make-A-Wish Foundation® chapters, Make-A-Wish Colorado has granted more than 5,000 wishes to eligible children throughout the state, from Fort Collins to Telluride and Grand Junction to Burlington.  Make-A-Wish Colorado is part of the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with 62 chapters in the United States and its territories and 40 international affiliates serving 50 countries.  A child with a life-threatening medical condition who has reached the age of 2½ and is younger than 18 at the time of referral to the Organization, is potentially eligible for a wish.  Make-A-Wish Colorado is a Charity Navigator 4-Star Charity, an Accredited Charity of the Better Business Bureau, and a Guide Star Exchange Silver Participant.

In 2016, Make-A-Wish Colorado will celebrate its 33rd anniversary and Burg Simpson is proud to support this incredible organization. Burg Simpson shareholder Seth A. Katz previously served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Colorado.  In addition to his role on the Board, Mr. Katz has been a “wish-granter”, working with the Wish-Child and their family to ensure that they receive the wish of their dreams.   He also served as the Dinner-Chair of the 2016 Sporting Affair Event, which is Make-A-Wish Colorado’s largest single annual fundraiser.  Since 2012, Burg Simpson’s donations to Make-A-Wish Colorado have provided the support for the Organization to grant the wishes of more than five Colorado children.

If you are interested in joining Burg Simpson in changing the lives of the sick children of Colorado and are interested in making a donation to Make-A-Wish Colorado, please contact us.

The Ali Meyer Foundation

Ali Meyer died on November 22, 2002, at the age of thirteen. Her unfortunate death was as a direct result of injuries suffered due to being struck by a hit-and-run drunk driver on February 10, 2001. It was Burg Simpson’s honor to represent Ali and her family during this difficult time. Burg Simpson continues to support the Ali Meyer Foundation and its mission to operate exclusively for the health, education, and welfare of children of the State of Colorado by providing medical assistance to needy children and educating the public on the dangers of drunk driving.

Burg Simpson is proud to be a sponsor of the annual Ali Meyer Foundation Golf Tournament.

Operation TBI Freedom

Operation TBI Freedom assists Service Members and Veterans with traumatic brain injury, developing a unique plan for each client that promotes optimum independence, productivity, and successful reintegration into civilian life. Each Veteran is assigned a military support specialist (MSS) who is a Veteran and Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

It is the responsibility of the MSS to use all resources—the Veterans Administration, local governmental and non-governmental entities—as efficiently as possible, ensuring no duplication of efforts by community partners. OTF analyzes complex VA benefits, identifies potential benefit enhancements and assists the Veteran in maximizing his or her access to healthcare and other resources.

What Services are Provided by Operation TBI Freedom?

  • Comprehensive case management for the Veteran and family
  • Crisis management
  • Medical/counseling referrals
  • Emergency assistance (food, housing and other emergency needs)
  • Assistive technology and support
  • Navigation of complex benefit systems
  • Psycho-social and educational classes (e.g., parenting, financial management, social and life skills, etc.)

Who Is Eligible for Assistance?

Those who meet all the below criteria:

  • Served in any branch or component of the Military at least one day on or after September 11, 2001
  • Residing in Colorado (temporarily or permanently)
  • Medically diagnosed TBI or residual thereof TBI or residual injury must have occurred while in service and/or be directly related to other combat injury(ies)

The Wild Plum Center

Burg Simpson shareholder Holly B. Kammerer is a Board Member and former President of the Wild Plum Center. Based in Longmont, Colorado, the Wild Plum Center is dedicated to empowering families and preparing children for the future. The center provides a comprehensive, individualized approach to early learning and family wellness. The Wild Plum Center envisions a future in which all of Longmont’s children are provided opportunities for learning and growth, and all parents are empowered to meet the needs of their children.

March of Dimes

Burg Simpson Ohio is proud to be a sponsor of the Cincinnati March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction charity event. This event raises funds for research, clinics and treatments to fight premature birth, infant mortality and birth defects.

The March of Dimes has led the way to discover the genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening, and to educate medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancy. We have supported research for surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress and helped initiate the system of regional neonatal intensive care for premature and sick babies.

… And Other Great Organizations