BIO
Dorothy has practiced law for over 30 years, handling litigation of large and small cases alike in State and Federal Courts. Having worked many years defending insurance companies against the claims of injured parties, Dorothy now works on behalf of the victims themselves to achieve fair compensation for their injuries. Dorothy has also developed a strong family law practice, representing individuals in divorce and parenting matters. Dorothy's approach to all her cases is to treat all parties with dignity and opposing counsel with the utmost in professionalism. Dorothy also represents individuals and small businesses in matters involving contracts, landlord-tenant disputes and construction defects. Dorothy has worked with Mark Masters who is Of Counsel to the firm to provide her clients with the finest in estate planning services, including wills, trusts and probate.
DOROTHY C. STONE
Attorney
STAFF
BONNIE PAISON
Office Manager
MARK D. MASTERS
Of Counsel Attorney
Mark limits his practice to estate planning, business planning, estate administration, real estate and tax, including planned charitable giving. Mark is Past President of the Colorado Bar Association's Trust & Estate Section. In addition to writing legislation, Mark contributed to the standard reference "Colorado Estate Planning Handbook," co-edited the 1st and 2d editions of the C.B.A. Senior Law Handbook, has been quoted in Time Magazine, Bloomberg Business News and the Associated Press, has written articles for The Colorado Lawyer, The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, and is Contributing Editor of the Colorado Will and Estate Planner for Bradford Publishing. Mark holds a BA With Distinction from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a JD degree from Washburn University School of Law. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Paralegal Department of Arapahoe Community College, and has lectured for the Colleges of Law of Denver University and the University of Colorado. A lecturer and program planner, Mark was honored with the 2007 Doyle Award of Excellence by CLE, Inc. of the Colorado Bar Association for his contributions to legal continuing education and publications. Mark is a Fellow of the Colorado Bar Foundation, designated by his peers as one of the best lawyers in Colorado. Mark is a member of the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and is a member of the C.B.A. Tax Section.
Bonnie joined the firm as a receptionist and general office assistant in 2004, and quickly became an indispensable member of the team with a job description which defies definition. Bonnie has an incredible knack for organization, keeping the office in order, from filing and supplies, to the coordinating of appointments and court dates. No matter what the task, Bonnie figures out how to get it done. Clients love Bonnie and know that their calls and concerns will be addressed expeditiously and with the care which Bonnie brings to her work.
Bonnie hails from Michigan and moved to Colorado with her husband, Jack, She enjoys spending time outdoors and with her extended family. If she isn't chopping wood or working in her garden, she is busy with sewing and all sorts of needlework, including quilting. She was instrumental in organizing a local non-profit organization, The Elizabeth Piecemakers, which creates and donates quilts to fire departments and other organizations for children and others in crisis. Bonnie also volunteers her time with Friends of the Elizabeth Library.
1997-2012
Winston, the wonder dog, was the firm's full time greeter, always eager to welcome visitors. He is missed by all who knew him and appreciated his gentle spirit.
WINSTON
Office Dog
Dorothy grew up on the Southern California beaches, graduating from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach in 1969. She first pursued her interest in psychology, graduating summa cum laude from California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974. She then obtained her Masters degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Developmental Psychology before turning to the law. Venturing to the east coast to attend Boston University School of Law, she was awarded her Juris Doctor in 1981. After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., she returned to Colorado which she claims as the most beautiful place in the country to live. She developed her skills as a litigation attorney in the large Denver law firms, and opened her own practice in 1992. In 1997 she moved to the small town of Elizabeth where she settled into the quaint office on Main Street. She lives with her husband, Neil and their cats, Max and Smudge. With her office tucked into a 1907 historic bank building, Dorothy is able to provide quality legal representation from her years of expertise in the comfort of her relaxed office. Clients receive the warmth and personal attention of an enduring and caring staff. Far from the relaxed and comforting atmosphere of her office, Dorothy’s courtroom skills have earned her considerable respect from her peers and judges as well.
Dorothy is also an avid traveler, with sailing and scuba diving in foreign lands topping her list of interests. She is also a classic car enthusiast and often can be seen driving her blue 1974 MGB. Dorothy has found an outlet for her musical talent as the lead singer in classic rock bands and karaoke stages. Dorothy also serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization to assist with the economic development of east central Colorado, and is active with the Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Colorado and Douglas-Elbert County Bar Associations, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and is the past president of the Colorado Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
Debra has been the firm's paralegal since 1999, having graduated at the top of her class at The Denver Paralegal Institute. Debra comes from a medical background, with a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology specializing in medical technology. She trained in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and worked as a medical technologist for many years prior to turning to law. This experience, coupled with her innate intelligence and attention to detail, serve her well in dealing with the complexities of the personal injury and family law cases. As the firm's paralegal, Debra has a great deal of contact with the clients who always appreciate her caring attention to their needs.
Born in Pueblo and growing up in Penrose, Debra's roots in Colorado extend back several generations. She has also lived in many parts of the world, including Alaska where she was a medical technologist for the Alaska Native American Hospital. She has also lived in Sicily and Denmark and has filled her passport with other exotic travels. Despite her worldly experience, Debra is a country girl at heart -- living with her husband, Harry and countless horses, sheep, dogs, cats and various other creatures on their Franktown ranch. A devoted mother of four amazing children, and grandmother to an ever increasing number of grandchildren, Debra is also an accomplished country-western dancer, and spends many hard working vacations for a youth organization in Mexico.
DEBRA RANNEY
Paralegal