David E. Graven, age 56, the nationally recognized securities law attorney, passed away at his home in Roswell, New Mexico, on Saturday, July 29, 2006.  He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Katie (age 18) and son Lance (age 14) and also his father and mother Art and Sally Graven.

            For more than 20 years, Graven, a 1994 University of Denver Law School graduate who also started as defensive nose guard for then-ranked Utah State (1973), left his mark on securities law in the United States.  A recognized expert on the subjects of regulatory audits, Securities and Exchange Commission ( “SEC”) enforcement actions, and securities arbitrations, Graven often spoke at national conventions hosted by the SEC, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Financial Planners and other professional organizations and law schools.

             As a senior trial attorney for the SEC, Graven was instrumental in establishing and enforcing the implementation of rules regarding prompt execution of stock trades, equitable commissions, and appropriate sales practices involving sales of initial public offerings.

            In private practice, and as an executive vice-president for a nationally recognized securities brokerage firm, Graven litigated hundreds of securities law trials and arbitrations before 25 state and federal courts and regulatory bodies, including appearances before the United States Supreme Court.

            Graven may best be remembered in Colorado for his stunning 1995 victory before the Colorado Supreme Court that implemented what came to be known as the “Graven Rule.”  In that case, which involved a claim for injuries that Graven had experiences while skiing at Vail, the Colorado Supreme Court adopted a narrow exception the Colorado Ski Act, a law that many argued provided complete immunity against liability from damage claims by skiers against Colorado ski area operators.  The Graven Rule paved the way for other injured skiers to seek damages.  Having been told by numerous Denver attorneys that his case was not winnable, Graven represented himself.  Despite losses at the trial and appellate level, Graven persisted and prevailed in his arguments before the state’s highest court.  The 1992 injuries that Graven suffered, however, set in motion a series of medical complications from which he never recovered.

            Before going on medical disability David worked at Burg Simpson Law Firm as Senior Associate in charge securities arbitration and litigation in the Denver area.

            Services are to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednsday August 2, 2006 at Grace Community Church, Roswell, New Mexico.

            Online guest register can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com.

            Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory.