John Hanley OBITUARY
John Hanley OBITUARY
If the sum of one’s life were merely a list of accomplishments, the life of Jack Hanley would be impressive. But the fact that those accomplishments complemented a man who was universally admired, respected and loved – particularly in the Colorado legal community – made his untimely passing on March 27 at the age of 81 singularly impactful.
John Charles “Jack” Hanley was many things: gourmand, oenophile, expert skier, amateur pianist, football fanatic, loving and cherished son, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was also a native Coloradan, born in Denver as the second son of Robert and Marie (Zarini) Hanley. Because his own father died when he was very young, Jack and his family – including his older brother (Robert II) and younger sister (Sharon) – lived for several years with his maternal grandparents in Louisville, CO. That upbringing reinforced his love and loyalty to his family and also helped shape his talent for homemade Italian cooking.
Jack’s education was grounded in classic Colorado institutions. He attended boarding school at the Abbey of the Holy Cross in Canon City, where he sang in the boys’ choir and excelled on the gridiron. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he developed a lifelong love of the CU Buffs. After graduating from CU, Jack served briefly in the U.S. Air Force while stationed at Lowry Air Force Base and Fitzsimons Medical Center. Jack later earned his MBA at the University of Denver.
Jack was kind, gracious, resourceful, patient, modest, and diplomatic, and known for his sharp wit and dry sense of humor. Although he wasn’t a lawyer, Jack dedicated his 55-year career to making lawyers, paralegals, and all law firm employees better – and happier – at what they do. Jack’s foray into the legal field began in 1967 when he served as Associate Dean at the University of Denver College of Law under Dean Robert Yegge, and later under Dean Daniel Hoffman. During his 18-year tenure at DU, Jack started the university’s Master of Science in Legal Administration program, among many others.
In 1985 Jack followed Hoffman to Holme, Roberts & Owen to become the firm’s Administrative Director until 1996 when he assumed the same role at McKenna & Cuneo. In 2000 Jack was instrumental in the formation of Hoffman, Reilly, Pozner & Williamson (later Reilly LLP), a Denver-based national litigation boutique that grew to more than 30 lawyers. Jack served as the firm’s Executive Director for 23 years until, after facilitating Reilly’s combination with Fennemore Craig in 2020, he used that opportunity to retire in 2023. His professional integrity and leadership were an inspiration to the entire legal community.
In addition to remaining as an adjunct professor and lecturer at DU for nearly 30 years, Jack was also an active member of the Association of Legal Administrators, serving as President of the Mile High chapter for several years. He was elected a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in 2000. He was a member of many community and non-profit boards including the DU Sturm College of Law Alumni Council, and Disability Law Colorado. Jack was also a longtime member of the Denver Athletic Club, where he enjoyed court sports and served as president from 1991-1992. And let’s not forget about his loyalty to the Denver Broncos, having been a season ticket holder since the 1970s.
Jack’s family – including his wife, Barbara Huff, sister Sharon, son Michael, and daughter Kara – is planning a Celebration of Life June 21, 1pm at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
