12/24/2024
Twenty-two years ago, in September of 2001, I called an attorney I had worked as a law clerk for in law school. After spending 7 years working on political campaigns after law school I told the attorney I was ready to be a lawyer and I asked if he would have lunch with me to discuss opportunities in the profession. I wanted to get some names of people to call. Thankfully, he agreed to meet with me and asked me to meet him at his office in downtown Boulder.
I walked into his office at the time of our scheduled meeting. John was a towering man. At first intimidating in his size and presence but almost immediately comforting in his smile and conversation. Soon after I entered his office, John asked whether I would like to come work for the firm. He told me that he had the sense that I cared about the work that they did as personal injury attorneys. I was not expecting this. But, I of course agreed. Moments later I was outside the office calling Teresa Steele to give her the news. In that moment I told her I was sure I would be working for the firm for the rest of my life.
It's hard to put into words what John Purvis meant to me personally. Yet, I am but a small sample of the lives that he positively effected during his lifetime. During my career, countless times a Judge would ask me to approach the bench after a hearing and give me a simple message... "tell John I said hi."
To get some time with John meant that you were very likely to be blessed with a grand story from his experiences. Often multiple stories, always told with the joy he had for life. These were not stories of meeting important people or even being involved in important events. He did all of that but what was clear in his stories was that he found such joy in the serendipity of the simple moments in life.
On a daily basis, for 22 years, I knew my great and glorious friend had marched over the Edmund Pettus Bridge back in 1965. I knew that he had done profound work as a Public Defender in the early 70s. I knew that he counted amongst his closest friends the best and brightest lawyers in Colorado's history. I knew that he had obtained jury verdicts that set new standards in Colorado during the 80s. All of those things paled in comparison to knowing that he counted me as a friend. That he repeatedly told me in recent years how much he enjoyed practicing law with me. That he trusted me to be his partner.
John Purvis was a glorious and exceptional attorney. Few of us get anywhere near accomplishing what he did during his life. But, primarily John Purvis was a tremendous soul. The world is better because he inhabited it and lived his life. He will be missed. I will personally miss him more than can be adequately described. I never told John that I loved him. But, I did.
On Saturday, December 21, my great friend and law partner died.
View John Purvis's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
