Julia M. Purchase has dedicated her career to the practice of family law and helping families and children through the legal process. She has ten years of experience litigating domestic relations disputes in the Denver metro area, and collaborating in the resolution of all aspects of dissolution of marriage, including sensitive parenting disputes, complex financial disputes and appellate issues involving family law matters.
Julia is also a skilled and experienced mediator, specializing in low-cost mediation of family law cases. Julia is passionate about helping people find a better way to resolve disputes and is inspired by the idea that conflict can be resolved in a way that is non-adversarial.
Julia also acts as a Child and Family Investigator in family law cases. She is on the CFI Eligibility Roster for the 1st, 2nd and 18th Judicial Districts. Julia’s experience, training and sincere concern for the long-term effects of the legal process allow her to provide thoughtful and efficient service to her clients.
Julia received an undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston. As an undergraduate, she focused her studies on psychology and business. Prior to studying law, Julia helped families and children of abuse and neglect at the Austin Children’s Shelter and the Texas Council on Family Violence. Julia has practiced before the Colorado District Court, Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court and is an active member of the Family Law Bar.
A native Texan, Julia has lived in Colorado since 2005. While still somewhat weary of the snow, she loves to enjoy all of the outdoor experiences Colorado has to offer. The majority of her free time is spent doing just that, with her husband and children.
Education
- The University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
- Juris Doctorate, 2005
- Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, Alumni and Development Editor
- Charter Member of National Association of Counsel for Children
- The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Minor in Business, 2002, Honors graduate
- James M. Cox, Jr. Scholarship Recipient
- Member of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society for Psychology
Past Employment Experience
- Of Counsel – Kelley R. Southerland, LLC
- Associate Attorney – Kaplan Law L.L.C.
- Law Clerk – Hinton Sussman Bailey & Davidson
- Judicial Intern – United Statement Federal Magistrate Marcia Crone
- Communications Intern – Texas Council on Family Violence
- Direct Care – Austin Children’s Shelter
Published Decisions
- In re Marriage of Rozzi, 190 P.3d 815 (Colo.App. 2008) – Successful appeal of orders regarding allocation of parental responsibilites, restriction on relocation and appointment of a parenting coordinator and decision maker.
- Schultz v. Boston Stanton, 198 P.3d 1253 (Colo.App. 2008) – Successful appeal of summary judgment order based on issue preclusion.
- Stanton v. Schultz, 08 SC 636 (Colo. 2010) – Colorado Supreme Court confirms Colorado Court of Appeals’ decision on other grounds.
Memberships and Professional Associations
- Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section
- The Mediation Association of Colorado
- Denver Bar Association
- Metropolitan Denver Interdisciplinary Committee – Elected to Board of Directors 2021-2022
- National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC)
- American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children