Boulder Business Litigation Lawyers — Protecting Business Interests in and Out of the Courtroom
Business disputes are different from personal legal matters in one important way: the stakes don’t stop at the courtroom door. A lawsuit between business partners, a trade secret dispute, a shareholder oppression claim — these affect operations, relationships, reputation, and the long-term value of the business simultaneously. Burnham Law’s Boulder business litigation attorneys handle these disputes with both the legal skill they require and the commercial judgment that makes the difference between winning a battle and protecting the business.
Meet our Boulder civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in business disputes, commercial litigation, and complex multi-party cases in Boulder County and throughout Colorado.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Business Litigation in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder County’s business environment — anchored by the University of Colorado, a robust technology sector, a strong outdoor industry, and a thriving professional services community — generates a wide range of commercial disputes. Partnership disagreements, vendor contract failures, trade secret misappropriation, shareholder conflicts, and competitive business practices all generate litigation in this jurisdiction regularly.
Business litigation in Colorado is governed by the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure and, for cases involving corporations and LLCs, the Colorado Business Corporation Act and the Colorado Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. These statutes create specific rights and remedies for business disputes — including derivative claims, inspection rights, and claims for breach of fiduciary duty — that require attorneys who understand both the procedural and substantive frameworks.
One of the distinguishing features of business litigation is that the parties often have ongoing relationships — as partners, co-owners, competitors, or clients — that exist alongside the dispute. Litigation strategy in business cases has to account for what happens to those relationships after the case resolves, which affects how aggressively to litigate, whether to pursue negotiated resolution, and what terms actually constitute a good outcome.
What Our Boulder Business Litigation Attorneys Handle
Partnership and LLC disputes: When business partners or LLC members disagree about operations, profit distributions, management decisions, or the future of the business, litigation may be unavoidable. We represent business owners in disputes over partnership agreements, operating agreements, and the fiduciary duties partners and members owe each other.
Shareholder disputes and oppression claims: Minority shareholders in closely held Colorado corporations have legal protections against oppressive conduct by majority shareholders — including freeze-outs, exclusion from management, and manipulation of financials. We pursue and defend claims under Colorado’s corporate law statutes.
Trade secret and confidentiality: The Colorado Uniform Trade Secrets Act protects businesses from misappropriation of confidential information, customer lists, formulas, processes, and other proprietary business assets. We pursue injunctive relief and damages for trade secret theft and defend businesses accused of misappropriation.
Non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement: Colorado has specific and evolving rules governing the enforceability of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. We represent businesses seeking to enforce these agreements against departing employees and employees defending against enforcement actions.
Business divorce: When co-owners of a closely held business can no longer function together, a structured dissolution or buyout is often the most practical resolution. We negotiate and litigate business dissolution matters, including judicial dissolution proceedings when voluntary resolution is impossible.
Commercial contract disputes: Disputes over vendor agreements, distribution contracts, licensing arrangements, and service agreements are a core part of business litigation. We handle these matters for businesses on both sides of the dispute.
How Boulder Business Litigation Cases Work
Business litigation cases in Boulder County typically begin with an attempt at direct resolution — demand letters, management-level negotiation, or formal mediation. When those efforts fail, the party with the stronger legal position files a complaint in Boulder County District Court. Emergency relief — including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions — is sometimes necessary in business cases to preserve the status quo while the dispute is pending.
Discovery in business litigation is typically document-intensive. Financial records, communications, contracts, and business records form the core of most commercial cases. Electronic discovery — emails, Slack messages, text threads, and cloud-stored documents — is now a standard feature of business litigation and requires careful management to avoid spoliation and privilege issues.
Business litigation cases that don’t settle often proceed to a bench trial (decided by a judge) rather than a jury trial, particularly in cases involving complex financial issues. Judges in Boulder County who handle commercial matters are experienced with these disputes and expect well-organized, legally precise arguments supported by the documentary record.
Why Burnham Law for Business Litigation in Boulder
Commercial sophistication. Business disputes require attorneys who understand how businesses actually operate — how partnership agreements are structured, what trade secrets look like in a real business context, and what financial records actually reveal. We bring genuine commercial knowledge to the cases we handle.
Realistic strategy. Business litigation is expensive, and the decision to litigate versus settle should always account for business consequences beyond the legal claim. We help clients assess the full picture and develop strategies that account for what happens to the business — not just the lawsuit.
Injunctive relief capability. When a business dispute requires immediate court action — to stop a departing employee from stealing clients, to freeze assets before they’re dissipated, or to prevent the irreversible harm of a trade secret disclosure — we move fast. Emergency relief requires fast, precise lawyering, and we’re prepared to provide it.
Full-service backing. Business disputes often implicate employment law, real estate, intellectual property, or tax issues. Burnham Law’s broader practice means your business litigation team can coordinate with other practice area specialists when those issues arise.
Frequently Asked Questions — Boulder Business Litigation
Can I sue a business partner who is not performing their obligations?
Yes. Partners and LLC members owe fiduciary duties to each other and are bound by their partnership or operating agreements. If a partner or member is failing to perform their contractual obligations, taking improper distributions, competing against the business, or otherwise breaching their duties, legal remedies are available — including damages, injunctive relief, and in some cases, judicial dissolution.
What is a derivative claim?
A derivative claim is a lawsuit brought by a shareholder or member on behalf of the corporation or LLC, typically when the company itself has been harmed by the conduct of insiders — directors, officers, or majority shareholders — and the company isn’t taking action to remedy the harm. Derivative claims have specific procedural requirements under Colorado law, including a demand requirement in most circumstances.
How do courts handle disputes between 50/50 business partners?
Deadlocked 50/50 ownership situations are among the most challenging in business law. Colorado courts can appoint a provisional director or receiver in some circumstances. The more common resolution is a negotiated buyout — one partner buys out the other’s interest at a price determined by negotiation or, if necessary, by a court-appointed appraiser. Having counsel who has navigated these situations before is essential to reaching a workable outcome.
Can I get an injunction to stop a former employee from working for a competitor?
Possibly — but it depends on whether the non-compete agreement is enforceable under Colorado law. Colorado has specific rules limiting when and how non-compete agreements can be enforced, and these rules have evolved in recent years. The enforceability analysis is fact-specific and depends on the employee’s role, the scope of the restriction, and whether there is a legitimate business interest to protect.
What is the discovery process like in business litigation?
Discovery in business litigation typically involves requests for production of documents (contracts, financial records, emails), interrogatories, and depositions of key witnesses. In complex commercial cases, discovery can be extensive and expensive. Courts in Boulder County have case management procedures designed to keep discovery proportionate to the stakes of the dispute, but parties still need to be prepared for significant investment in this phase.
Schedule a Consultation with a Boulder Business Litigation Lawyer
Business disputes have a way of escalating when they’re not handled quickly and strategically. Whether you’re facing a partnership dispute, a competitor acting against your interests, or a commercial contract that has gone sideways, Burnham Law’s Boulder business litigation team is ready to assess your situation.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We represent businesses and business owners in commercial disputes throughout Boulder County and Colorado.
