Attorney Profile - Darin Schanker

Darin L. Schanker is a founding partner and original shareholder of Bachus & Schanker, LLC, a Denver-based personal injury firm he co-founded with Kyle Bachus in 1996. He actively litigates cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and insurance fraud. His practice is nationwide, and he has tried as lead counsel many different types of injury cases in both federal and state courts all over the country, from Alaska to Florida and New York to California, with a focus in his home state of Colorado.

His trials have included defective medical devices, pharma cases, medical malpractice, civil sex assault, negligent security, and injuries from car crashes. Schanker also specializes in collective action and mass tort litigation, having participated in nationally recognized complex litigation involving dangerous drugs and products, including Biomet Hip Implants, Pinnacle Hip Implants, ASR Hip Implants, Hernia Mesh, and IVC Filters. He earned his law degree at the University of Denver.

Notable Results

• As lead trial counsel, the firm's own bio reports Schanker achieved the largest medical malpractice jury verdict ever in Colorado history.
• The firm's bio also reports he achieved the largest compensatory defective hip jury verdict ever in the country as lead trial counsel.
• Banner Health v. Gresser (Colorado Supreme Court, Case No. 23SC959): On October 20, 2025, Bachus & Schanker affirmed a landmark judgment in this case on behalf of a minor child who suffered severe neurological injuries due to medical negligence during labor and postpartum care. The jury initially awarded over $27 million in economic damages; the trial court exceeded the statutory cap and entered judgment for the full award plus interest, totaling over $50 million. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed. Schanker served as partner on the case, as reported by the National Law Review.

Recognition

• Named Outstanding Trial Attorney for the State of Colorado by the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) in 2003.
• Past president of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.
• Named a Colorado Super Lawyer each year from 2007 through 2020.
• Recognized as an AV-rated attorney, the highest rating assigned to individual attorneys by Martindale-Hubbell.
• Frequent lecturer on trial practice for statewide Continuing Legal Education seminars for the CTLA and the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Colorado Bar Association.

Legislative and Community Work

Schanker has drafted and lobbied for consumer-friendly legislation and offered testimony dozens of times at the Colorado Capitol on insurance law-related topics, with an impact on the laws affecting accident victims throughout Colorado. He is also nationally recognized as an expert in voir dire (jury selection), having developed a methodology utilized by attorneys locally and nationally, and he lectures and consults attorneys throughout the country on this specialized subject. Through the Bachus & Schanker Cares Foundation, he supports organizations including the Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Clinic (JAMLAC) and Habitat for Humanity, and the firm serves as the statewide sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Bar Admissions

• Colorado, 1993 (Bar No. 23381)