Spencer Kontnik – Securing a $500,000 Verdict for a Denied Job Accommodation

Born with profound hearing loss, Spencer Kontnik spent a long time distancing himself from any fields of law related to disability. Then, the “light bulb” went off, and today he advocates for people with disabilities – like the client whose job offer from Denver Health was rescinded after she requested disability accommodations. In this case breakdown with host Keith Fuicelli, Spencer discusses how his team approached the issue of proving discrimination. “It's very difficult to prove that individual, that person, is a discriminatory person,” he explains. So the team focused on cultivating evidence and cross-examinations that showed that the defendant’s actions toward his client were discriminatory. Spencer secured a jury award, pre-judgment interest, back pay, and front pay totalling $500,000. 

Learn More and Connect with Colorado Trial Lawyers

☑️ Spencer Kontnik | LinkedIn

☑️ Kontnik | Cohen on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | X

☑️ Keith Fuicelli | LinkedIn

☑️ Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers Website

☑️ Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Episode Snapshot

• Spencer's transformation from defense attorney to disability rights advocate after defending a case involving a deaf job applicant.
• Employment law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities that limit major life functions, with the burden shifting to employers to prove fundamental alteration or undue burden.
• The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) offers similar remedies to the ADA but allows cases to proceed faster in state court versus federal court.
• Spencer's client, a biostatistician with 130-plus peer-reviewed publications, was denied a job at Denver Health after...