John Moye, the Founding Partner of our firm, was beloved by many and dedicated his life to his family, friends, and clients. His career spanned nearly five decades, and it was one of the most prolific the industry has seen within the state of Colorado.
John was acclaimed as a scholar and teacher in the legal community. It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that, at one time, he had taught half the lawyers in Colorado. As an instructor for continuing legal education programs and Bar review courses delivered from coast to coast, John was in constant demand.
As a professor at the University of Denver College of Law he won the students Award of Merit in 1972, and was named Professor of the Year in 1973, 1974, 1976, and 1977. He won the Outstanding Faculty award in 1978. He authored numerous treatises and casebooks on corporations, business organizations, partnerships, federal jurisdiction and the Uniform Commercial Code. As a young lawyer he created a contracts Bar review course based on rock ‘n’ roll records he had spun as a college DJ under the alias “Johnny Mopp.” When times changed, he updated it and it became The Contracts Rap. His performances as Father Guido Sarducci in Law Club reviews at the Colorado Bar Convention literally stopped the show.
John was beloved by his friends and clients, who were often one and the same. He gave generously of his time to the community, bringing his personal charm and skillful leadership to all he did – Chairman of the Stapleton Development Corporation, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Downtown Denver, Inc., and the Colorado Historical Foundation. He was elected President of the Colorado Bar Association by his peers. These and other challenges he gladly accepted. Denver’s iconic Daniels & Fisher Tower was saved in large part through John’s efforts. The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, which he co-founded, is headquartered in John Moye Hall.
His boundless energy and limitless joy and sense of adventure for both life and law were infectious and an inspiration to those of us lucky enough to work with him. Typical of John, even in retirement and in the midst of a global pandemic, John spent as much time in our firm’s office as anyone, often accompanied by his dog named “Joe Biden.”
A quiet leader, John set a high bar by example. We are privileged to have known and worked with him, to have called him friend and partner, and are honored to carry forward his name and standards in all we do.