Grand Junction, CO Divorce, Family & Criminal Law Attorney Profiles
Louis Wilcox – Attorney
Lou hung his own shingle as a family law attorney in July of 2009. Lou primarily practices in contested divorces and child custody matters as well as contested probate and protective person’s proceedings. Lou has a broad history of handling those difficult cases between any/all family members and works hard to help individuals get through highly emotional litigation and reach an equitable, livable resolution. Recognizing the emotional and financial cost of protracted litigation, Lou also practices in “litigation avoidance” such as estate planning and pre/post-nuptial agreements.
Lou graduated from San Diego State University in 1992 with a B.S. in Biology. He is an honorably discharged Desert Storm Veteran and has spent several years abroad traveling through third world countries, visiting every continent. His extensive life experiences aid him to resolve those sensitive issues within his particularly difficult area of family law practice.
Lou was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 2005 after graduating from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. He has worked for the 18th Judicial District as a division law clerk and with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office within both their appellate and trial court divisions. Lou has tried cases in Colorado’s District and Federal Courts, including the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, (see Self v. Crum, 439 F.3d 1227 (10th Cir. 2006)). After moving to the Grand Valley, Lou spent several years working for Baird B. Brown P.C. as that firm’s primary litigator.
Lou has served as an active member of the Colorado Bar Association’s Trust and Estate Section, Elder Law Section and Family Law Section. He is an active member of the Mesa County Bar Association. He has served on the Colorado Bar Association’s Trust and Estate Section Orange Book Committee, drafting standardized estate planning forms and educational material for fellow practitioners. He has lectured for Colorado Bar Association’s Senior Law Day as well as for the Grand Junction Police Department’s Crime Free Housing Project. He is a frequent speaker for local professional clubs and organizations.
As the father of a blended family of six, Lou personally understands how difficult these family and probate matters can be on all of the parties. All family law attorneys aren’t alike. Both within and outside of the Courtroom, Lou prides himself in his ability to help families and individuals get through these difficult situations.
Dan Belcastro – Attorney
Dan is a Grand Valley Native, growing up on his family’s small ranch in Mack. In his youth, Dan was active in Little Britches Rodeo as a calf roper and team roper. Dan graduated Fruita Monument High School in 1991, and later earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Colorado Mesa University.
Dan spent many years in the family car business before attending Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating summa cum laude in the top ten percent of his class of 221 students. After law school, Dan worked for a civil litigation firm where he practiced before several judicial districts across Colorado, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Later, Dan had the honor of serving as a Deputy District Attorney for Colorado’s 21st Judicial District.
Dan recently joined the Law Offices of Louis R. Wilcox because he interned for Lou and he appreciates how passionate Lou is about vigorously advocating for his clients. Dan intends to bring the same passion to serving his clients in criminal, family, and civil law matters. He is especially interested in ensuring that the constitutional rights of persons accused of a crime are protected, and he knows how to work within the system to ensure fair and righteous outcomes in criminal matters.
Dan and his family have ties to the Grand Valley reaching back to the early 1900s, when his grandfather, Nick, and grandmother, Filomena “Fannie” Belcastro, moved to Grand Junction from the east coast. His dad, Dan, Sr., was a football and wrestling star at Grand Junction High School, graduating in 1965. Dan, Sr. retired from Union Pacific Railroad. Dan, Sr. taught his son a great deal about perseverance and loyalty. Dan’s mom, Yvonne, was born in Telluride and attended Central High School. Among many other things, Dan’s mom taught him to stand up for what is right, and to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. His grandma Betty and grandpa Joe Dee Watson loved fishing, and some of Dan’s best memories are trolling for Kokanee salmon on Blue Mesa, and for trout at Rifle Gap and Vega.
Dan has five children—three daughters and two sons—and several beautiful grandchildren. He understand the intricacies and fragilities of family, and the overwhelming feelings that come with a loved one being accused of a crime. He looks forward to serving his clients with passion and zeal, whatever their needs may be.