Following more than 15 years as a litigator with a focus on construction defects, Duncan Griffiths of Griffiths Law is still learning new industries and new ways things can go wrong.
Whether he’s representing homeowners, litigating insurance disputes or handling complex business matters, Griffiths said, “I enjoy it, but it’s terrifying. I think lawyers should be humble, recognizing the work is very difficult. And even if you do your very best, you could lose, right? But it’s worth putting in the effort.”
He added, “I really enjoy representing people that are potentially disadvantaged versus the other side.” In many cases, the imbalance is structural. His clients, often homeowners or individuals, may be up against developers, insurers or well-resourced businesses.
“A lot of my clients don’t have an unlimited budget,” Griffiths said. “If you can give them a level playing field, at least they get a fair shot.”
Griffiths’ commitment to the underdog has driven much of his construction defect work, which has long intersected with Colorado’s ongoing debate over affordable housing. Critics suggest litigation increases costs and slows development. Griffiths sees that view as incomplete. When serious defects arise, he said, litigation may be the only path forward for homeowners.
At the same time, he is careful not to overstate his side of the issue. “The truth is in the middle,” he said.
Beyond individual cases, Griffiths is concerned that as Colorado’s business activity expands, demand is outpacing the supply of litigators. “There are just not enough really good, capable lawyers to handle the workflow,” he said.
As for his litigating skill, “those who know me would say I’m creative, and I’m going to come up with every possible avenue to advocate for my client and to try to put them in the best position to be successful,” he said. Yet while Griffiths has a reputation for relentless litigation, he continued, “I push really hard behind the scenes to get my clients to settle cases and to compromise if it’s possible.”
For Griffiths, the work remains as compelling as it is demanding. “I like helping people. I like solving problems,” he said. “That’s really what it comes down to.”