COLORADO
COLORADO
Local litigation firms Local litigation stars James Lyons
Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons
Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation
Highly recommended Scott Barker
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell Michael McCarthy
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Commercial Litigation Faegre & Benson
Antitrust, Environmental Litigation, Insurance,
Holland & Hart Fred Bartlit Jr. Securities
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Reilly Pozner Commercial Litigation Michael McConnell
McConnell Fleischner Houghtaling
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell Michael Berger Insurance, Professional Malpractice
Husch Blackwell
Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Jane Michaels
Property Holland & Hart
Recommended
Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property
Jeffrey Chase
Ballard Spahr
Husch Blackwell Michael O’Donnell
Commercial Litigation Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Commercial Litigation
Leslie Fields
Davis Graham & Stubbs
Faegre & Benson Larry Pozner
Faegre & Benson Real Estate, Eminent Domain Reilly Pozner
Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation
Hill & Robbins John Fitzpatrick
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell Daniel Reilly
Hogan Lovells Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Reilly Pozner
Products Liability Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation
Holme Roberts & Owen
Randall Fons David Robbins
Husch Blackwell Morrison & Foerster Hill & Robbins
Securities, White-Collar Crime Natural Resources Law, Environmental
Morrison & Foerster
Michael Gallagher Pamela Robillard Mackey
Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons Davis Graham & Stubbs Haddon Morgan and Foreman
Products Liability White-Collar Crime
Sherman & Howard
Hugh Gottschalk Donald Scott
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Commercial Litigation Commercial Litigation
Harold Haddon Lawrence Theis
Haddon Morgan and Foreman Holmes Roberts & Owen
White-Collar Crime Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual
Property
Dale Harris
Davis Graham & Stubbs Christopher Toll
Antitrust Holland & Hart
Commercial Litigation
James Hartley
Holland & Hart Roger Thomasch
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
Property Commercial Litigation, Products Liability
Robert Hill Malcolm Wheeler
Hill & Robbins Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Antitrust, Civil Litigation, Securities Commercial Litigation, Products Liability
William Keating
Fogel Keating Wagner Polidori Shafner
Personal Injury
Christopher Koenigs
Sherman & Howard
Class Actions, Commercial, Litigation Securities
Kevin Kuhn
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Medical Malpractice
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Future stars
Robert Blume
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Gregory Goldberg
Holland & Hart
Natalie Hanlon-Leh
Faegre & Benson
James Hooper
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Kenzo Kawanabe
Davis Graham & Stubbs
Peter Korneffel Jr.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Bryan Leach
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
Michael Rollin
Reilly Pozner
Craig Stewart
Holland & Hart
Kyle Velte
Reilly Pozner
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Colorado no question the firm deserves to be highly
recommended.”
Reilly Pozner has 27 litigators and
specializes in complex commercial
litigation, securities, class actions, appellate,
While the Rocky Mountain region remains a leading market for natural resource criminal defense, intellectual property and
and oil and gas litigation, with energy-related companies still forming a steady products liability and clients include the
Colorado Public Employees Pension
client base, Colorado attorneys are benefiting from a swell in securities, class Association, Lehman Brothers, Denver
actions, products liability, employment and real estate casework. Locally head- Broncos Football Club, Ingersoll Rand and
quartered law firms are utilizing their talent rosters and central geographic loca- the University of Colorado. From a
tion to expand their caseload beyond traditional territories, and national firms are geographic location that is a three-hour
bulking up resources to compete. With quality and value still of utmost impor- flight from either coast, Reilly Pozner is
actively working on cases across the
tance to public and private clients, the most knowledgeable and cost-efficient country. With the recent return of esteemed
firms are looking to come out ahead of the pack. appellate litigator, Sean Connelly, the firm is
deepening its national presence further by
Highly recommended firms matters. The firm’s Denver office has 73 opening a Washington DC office. Other
litigators and top talent includes standout talent includes Michael Rollin,
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott Christopher Toll, who peers refer to as “a who focuses on complex commercial issues
Established in 1993 by former Kirkland & fantastic trial lawyer, [who] attracts clients including mortgage-backed security
Ellis partners, the national litigation firm of very easily and is very comfortable in a litigation and bankruptcy matters. As one
Bartlit Beck has grown into a premier trial courtroom. If you have a bet-the-company large client summarizes it, “They are very
boutique with an outstanding reputation. case, he’s the kind of person you want on proactive, aggressive and highly
From its hiring practices to its client your side.” Toll’s recent cases include the professional. They work very hard to get to
approach, the firm’s business model is successful resolution of a multimillion- know and have an excellent working
focused on providing highly trained trial dollar breach of contract and fraud suit relationship with their clients.”
lawyers for big-ticket cases on the state and against a major insurance provider.
federal levels. Operating out of Chicago and Rising talent Craig Stewart heads the Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Denver, the firm’s marquis partners include firm’s commercial litigation and appellate Established in 1998 by five accomplished
Fred Bartlit, Jr., Phil Beck and Donald Scott, group and is currently representing a large Denver attorneys, Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
whose combined courtroom experience industrial company involving Resource has built a formidable litigation presence on
places them in a class matched by few. As Conservation and Recovery Act claims both the state and national level. Known for
one competitor states, “Bartlit Beck is related to lead mine contamination. Dennis its first-class products liability practice, the
fantastic, and quite aggressive in defending Brown is highly regarded for his insurance firm oversees huge, high-stakes litigation for
clients. We have been adverse to them, and and products liability practice, and his corporate giants such as Pfizer, General
not always so cordially. I have a lot of recent cases include acting as defense Electric, Ford and Chrysler. As one
respect for them.” counsel in breach of contract and defective competitor says, “I couldn’t think more
Although well into senior status, Bartlit, products claims against an oil and gas highly of a Colorado firm save my own.
Jr., is still active on the national stage and equipment provider, a golf club They are truly a top litigation firm.”
was tapped in late 2010 to head the manufacturer and a furnace manufacturer. Another rival states, “Wheeler Trigg has
National Oil Spill Commission’s legal Peers also praise white-collar litigator top-notch people, just a lot of good trial
investigation into the Deepwater Horizon Gregory Goldberg, referring to him as “the lawyers. I have high respect for Michael
explosion. Beck, who competitors consider real deal, a fantastic attorney.” Competitors O’Donnell.” Name partner Malcolm
“one of the best trial lawyers in the recognize Jane Michaels, the firm’s chief Wheeler and managing partner Hugh
country,” is lead counsel to pharmaceutical litigation strategist who has a focus on Gottschalk are uniformly considered among
giant Bayer in high-stakes products liability intellectual property, and James Hartley, Colorado’s leading litigators. Along with
cases involving one of its medicine used who is widely respected for his skills in high partner James Hooper, Wheeler is currently
during open-heart surgery. Scott, who peers stakes antitrust and intellectual property handling high-stakes wrongful death claims
refer to as “a phenomenal lawyer”, is acting matters. against Pfizer. O’Donnell is currently
as lead counsel for AstraZeneca in cases overseeing products liability claims against
alleging one of its drugs causes diabetes. Reilly Pozner clients Advanced Bionics, a neurostimulator
Also on the Denver talent roster, rising star Embracing a culture that promotes device manufacturer, and Northstar RX, a
Brian Leach is spearheading Bartlit Beck’s creativity and innovation backed by generic pharmaceutical company.
global presence, providing legal services in intelligence and experience, the litigation Revered lawyer John Fitzpatrick is
several countries as the firm ramps up its boutique of Reilly Pozner considers itself a considered a go-to trial attorney for bet-the-
international arbitration practice. model for 21st century law firms focused on company cases involving product defects,
meeting the diverse legal needs of both medical malpractice and environmental
Holland & Hart technology-driven and growth-oriented contamination. Fitzpatrick is currently
Founded in 1947, the Denver-based firm of clients. With their recent move to a brand representing General Electric in multiple
Holland & Hart now houses over 400 new office complex in Denver’s burgeoning cases involving a medical-imaging agent
lawyers in 15 offices across the Rocky downtown district, founders Daniel Reilly alleged to cause a rare and debilitating
Mountains, Southwest and Washington DC. and Larry Pozner are utilizing their disease. Gottschalk was part of the
While Holland & Hart is historically rooted combined 60-plus years of trial experience, acclaimed WTO team chosen to coordinate
in oil, gas and energy-related litigation, the along with their team of highly trained the high-profile national strategy for
firm is respected for its expertise in litigators to service national and regional Chrysler Group, regarding claims by its
commercial litigation, products liability, clients in a cutting-edge atmosphere. As one former automobile dealers who were not
intellectual property insurance, competitor states, “Both Reilly and Pozner added to a new dealer network established
employment, construction and real estate are top-shelf, excellent lawyers and there is after the company’s bankruptcy. The team
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succeeded in completing over 400 Nancy Strelau is widely recognized for her bright, shows very good judgment and is a
arbitrations in multiple states within the labor and employment expertise on both the very good litigator.”
federally mandated seven-month timeline state and federal level.
with a highly successful overall outcome for Hill & Robbins
client Chrysler. Mark Clouatre, Paul Hultin, Davis Graham & Stubbs Smaller than many of its competitors, the
Steven Kelso and Gwen Young were lead Founded almost 100 years ago in Denver, Denver law firm of Hill & Robbins was
attorneys on the WTO team, with widely the firm of Davis Graham & Stubbs has formed in 1978 and specializes in
respected Denver litigator Scott Barker strategically grown its team to include over commercial litigation and natural resources
playing a key role as well. 100 lawyers specializing in natural resources law. With 10 highly skilled attorneys, the
and energy law. The firm services an array firm represents both public and private
Recommended firms public and private clients with business companies as defendants and plaintiffs, and
interests spread throughout the Rocky peers call Hill & Robbins, “a top-notch
Ballard Spahr Mountain region. Citing the firm’s plaintiffs firm, with excellent lawyers.” The
Founded in Philadelphia in 1885, the firm of knowledge and depth, competitors firm’s pedigree is particularly suited to its
Ballard Spahr now encompasses 12 offices uniformly agree Davis Graham & Stubbs is Rocky Mountain client base, with co-
with 475 attorneys, spread out across the a respected player in a highly competitive founder David Robbins, a former attorney
country. Along with its Denver office, the field stating, “Davis Graham is a good, solid in the natural resources department of the
firm has secured a solid foothold in the litigation firm with a good number of Colorado Attorney General’s office, and
Southwest litigation market, with offices in lawyers who know what they are doing.” Robert Hill, who served as the first assistant
Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Standout litigators include trial lawyer Attorney General in Colorado and founded
Phoenix. With over 30 lawyers in Denver, Michael Gallagher, considered an expert in the state’s antitrust section.
Ballard specializes in real estate mining industry and electric utility
development and commercial litigation. litigation, along with products liability Hogan Lovells
Competitors refer to Ballard Spahr as “a matters involving auto manufacturers, The international law firm of Hogan Lovells
fine firm that should be recommended chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Veteran was formed in May 2010, after a merger
here,” and uniformly hail veteran trial attorney Dale Harris continues to earn between DC-based Hogan & Hartson and
lawyer Roger Thomasch as “a true litigation distinction throughout the state for his London-based Lovells. The firm now houses
star.” Tomasch has a distinguished record in antitrust expertise. Peers also give high 2,500 attorneys in more than 40 offices
commercial litigation, products liability, and marks to rising talent Kenzo Kawanabe, around the globe. With offices in Boulder,
accounting and professional liability, and with one stating, “I have a lot of respect for Colorado Springs, and Denver, the firm is
serves as lead national counsel in products him, he is really skilled.” Kawanabe noted for its strength in environmental and
liability matters for manufacturing giants specializes in high-stakes commercial cases, natural resources, intellectual property,
such as Goodyear Tire & Rubber. products liability matters and intellectual labor and employment, and energy law.
property disputes including patent
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck litigation. Holme Roberts & Owen
Established in Colorado in1968 and Founded in 1898, the national law firm of
strongly rooted in the western half of the Faegre & Benson Holmes Roberts & Owens has over 150
country, the national firm of Brownstein With 100 attorneys in Colorado alone, lawyers in 10 offices throughout the US and
Hyatt Farber Schreck has earned a Faegre & Benson has a strong Rocky Europe. With the bulk of the attorneys
based in Boulder, Denver, and Colorado
Springs, the firm is a well known
commercial litigation presence in the Rocky
Mountain territory. Although there has been
“If you and Hart] is the kind of person Christopher Toll [of
Holland
have a bet-the-company case,
you want on your side.”
a flux in personnel, the firm has changed
management and restructured some of its
offices, and peers believe it will focus on its
strengths going forward. “HRO has a lot of
fine lawyers doing very good work and they
belong as a recommended firm,” says one
reputation as a go-to firm for policy and Mountain presence and gears its broad competitor. In a recent high-profile victory,
regulatory matters, with a commitment to a litigation practice towards clients that partner Cliff Stricklin was instrumental in
culture of diversity throughout the include national manufacturers, emerging convincing a Denver federal jury to acquit
company. After a series of strategic mergers, techn-ology, energy and telecommunications Minnesota-based Xcel Energy and its
Brownstein Hyatt now encompasses 12 companies. Competitors acknowledge that Colorado subsidiary of charges they
offices, with over 250 attorneys firmwide. In the firm “has a very good reputation” and willfully violated OSHA regulations in a
addition to government relations, the firm top class-action lawyer Michael McCarthy wrongful death suit. The charges involved a
also specializes in natural resources law, is routinely praised by peers for his litigation 2007 chemical fire at Xcel’s power plant
gaming, water, and alternative energy law, skills. One states, “McCarthy is exceptional, that killed five men hired to apply epoxy
along with commercial litigation and real a real solid attorney.” McCarthy’s past coating to the inside of an underground
estate matters. Clients include Apollo clients include State Farm Insurance and the water pipe.
Management, Hard Rock Hotels, Harrah’s Colorado Rockies Baseball Club. Partner
Entertainment, Qwest Communications and Leslie Fields is considered an authority on Husch Blackwell
United Airlines. As one competitor states, eminent domain matters throughout the Now that the 600-attorney firm of Husch
the firm has “a lot of political sway and state, and peers refer to her as “a really Blackwell has effectively merged with the
should be recommended for their strong talented lawyer.” On the intellectual remaining two dozen members of former
capabilities.” Peers praise litigation co-chair property front, emerging talent Natalie Benchmark highly recommended firm
Timothy Beyer for his expertise in big-ticket Hanlon-Leh is recognized for her patent, Jacobs Chase, peers agree that Husch
antitrust, securities, telecommunications copyright, trade secrets and trademark Blackwell should be a recommended firm in
and complex commercial cases, and partner expertise, with peers stating, “She is very Colorado for commercial litigation. Jacobs
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Chase was established in 1995 by top enforcement, and white-collar defense Competitors also point to the talents of
attorneys from Denver-based law firms and group. Prior to joining the firm in 2006, rising talent Frederick Baumann, with one
built a reputation as a top litigation Fons was a trial attorney for the SEC, stating, “I think very highly of Fred
boutique, but with the recent appointment assigned to various directorships over 18 Baumann and I am uniformly impressed by
of co-founder Ann Frick to the bench and years. As part of Morrison & Foerster’s the firm’s work.” Baumann specializes in
the departure of name partner David focus on its corporate law presence in the securities regulation and litigation, handling
Kleinkopf, the firm was ripe for a new region, Hendrik Jordaan, formerly at HRO, class actions and government investigations.
future. Jacobs Chase co-founder Jeffrey was named chair of MoFo’s global private
Chase, a veteran trial lawyer in securities, equity investments and buyouts practice. Sherman & Howard
oil and gas, and intellectual property, will be With 190 lawyers and 10 offices, the law
of counsel at the newly merged Husch Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons firm of Sherman & Howard has a deep
Blackwell. As one competitor states, “I Tracing its frontier roots back to 1903 when footprint across the western US. Noting the
think the world of Jeff Chase wherever he is it opened its doors in Denver as a firm’s presence in Colorado, Wyoming, New
practicing.” Jacobs Chase, partners Paul bankruptcy and collection shop, Rothgerber Mexico and most recently Arizona, peers
Jacobs and litigation star Michael Berger Johnson & Lyons has steadfastly evolved state, “They are a good, old-school, truly
will also be coming on board with Husch along with the city to become a solid and regional firm, with a respected reputation.”
Blackwell. well respected litigation boutique with 75 Sherman and Howard is recognized for its
attorneys and additional offices in Colorado traditional strengths in natural resources,
Morrison & Foerster Springs and Casper, Wyoming. The firm environmental, labor and employment and
New to the Colorado rankings this year, the focuses on com-mercial litigation, securities, real estate litigation, but has recently
international law firm of Morrison & employment, real estate and corporate ramped up in the area of criminal defense,
Foerster was founded in 1883 and now has matters, and top talent includes name hiring two well known white-collar
over 1000 lawyers with 15 offices spanning partner James Lyons, an esteemed securities practitioners out of Colorado Springs.
across the globe. The firm’s Denver team and insurance trial lawyer who peers refer to Standout litigators in Denver include
focuses on commercial litigation, class as “a superstar.” Lyons has represented the Christopher Koenigs, who is admired by
action defense, intellectual property, city and county of Denver in multiple high- peers for his general commercial, class
employment, financial services, products profile cases, and acts as counsel to action and securities prowess. As one
liability and internal investigations. The numerous boards of directors and competitor states, “Christopher Koenigs is a
talent pool includes Randall Fons, co-chair committees of public companies, including star, he is a superb lawyer. A really good
of the firm’s securities litigation, most recently Qwest Communications. strong litigator.”
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