Boulder Civil Lawyers — Experienced Litigation and Counsel When the Stakes Are High
Civil disputes rarely arrive at a convenient time. Whether you’re facing a lawsuit over a broken contract, a construction defect that has cost you tens of thousands of dollars, a real estate transaction gone wrong, or a business partner acting against your interests, the legal process that follows will shape your financial and professional future in meaningful ways. Burnham Law’s Boulder civil attorneys combine deep litigation experience with practical knowledge of how these disputes actually resolve — in court and outside of it.
Meet our Boulder civil litigation team below — attorneys with backgrounds across business disputes, tort claims, real estate, construction, cannabis law, and appellate practice.
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.
Civil Law in Boulder, Colorado
Civil law covers a wide range of legal disputes between individuals, businesses, and other parties — everything from personal injury claims and breach of contract to cannabis licensing and commercial real estate transactions. What these matters share is that the outcome is decided through the courts or negotiated in the shadow of litigation, and the quality of legal representation directly affects what that outcome looks like.
In Boulder County, civil matters are handled primarily in Boulder County District Court on Canyon Boulevard in downtown Boulder. Boulder County courts handle everything from small commercial disputes to multi-party business litigation involving significant assets. The court has its own practices, timelines, and judge-specific tendencies that experienced local counsel understands and accounts for in strategy and case preparation.
Colorado civil procedure follows the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern everything from pleading requirements and discovery to motions practice and trial. The rules provide the framework, but knowing how courts in Boulder County apply those rules in practice — how judges approach summary judgment motions, what discovery disputes look like in this jurisdiction, how long cases actually take — is the difference between competent representation and effective representation.
Civil Practice Areas at Burnham Law Boulder
Appeals: Civil appeals in Colorado are handled through the Colorado Court of Appeals and, in cases of significant legal importance, the Colorado Supreme Court. Appeals are not a second chance to argue the facts — they are a challenge to legal errors in the proceedings below. Our appellate attorneys identify the strongest preserved issues, develop the legal argument, and present it in the form courts expect.
Tort Claims: Tort law covers civil wrongs that cause harm — personal injury, negligence, defamation, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and similar claims. Whether you’re pursuing a tort claim or defending against one, these cases require fact investigation, expert coordination, and a clear theory of damages or liability.
Breach of Contract: When one party fails to perform its contractual obligations, the other party has legal remedies. Breach of contract claims require establishing the contract, the breach, and the resulting damages. We handle these disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants across commercial and personal contexts.
Business Litigation: Disputes between business partners, shareholders, employees, and competitors require attorneys who understand both litigation and business. We handle partnership disputes, shareholder oppression claims, trade secret cases, non-compete enforcement, and a range of commercial disputes that require aggressive, knowledgeable representation.
Construction Law: Construction disputes involve defects, delays, payment disputes, mechanic’s liens, and contractor liability. These cases are technically complex and require attorneys who understand construction contracts, industry standards, and how to work with expert witnesses to establish what should have been built versus what was.
Real Estate Law: Real estate disputes in Boulder County involve everything from title defects and easement conflicts to landlord-tenant litigation and commercial lease disputes. Boulder’s real estate market creates a consistent stream of complex disputes requiring attorneys who know both property law and the local market.
Cannabis Law: Colorado’s cannabis industry operates under a dense regulatory framework that intersects with licensing, business formation, real estate, employment, and litigation. Our cannabis attorneys represent licensees, investors, and operators navigating compliance, disputes, and transactions in this evolving industry.
How Boulder Civil Cases Work
Most civil cases in Boulder County begin with the filing of a complaint with the Boulder County District Court. The defendant is served and has a window to respond — typically 21 days. After the pleadings are filed, the case moves into discovery, where both sides exchange documents, take depositions, and build the factual record that will support their positions at trial or in settlement negotiations.
Colorado civil cases are subject to case management requirements that set deadlines for discovery, expert disclosures, and dispositive motions. Courts in Boulder County actively manage their dockets, and compliance with case management orders matters. Judges in this jurisdiction expect lawyers to be prepared and efficient — and reward cases that are well-organized and well-presented.
The majority of civil cases settle before trial, but the terms of that settlement are heavily influenced by how strong each side’s litigation posture is. Cases that are well-prepared and staffed by attorneys who are ready and willing to try them settle on better terms than cases where one side is clearly hoping to avoid court. Our approach is to prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which changes how opposing counsel and their clients approach negotiation.
Why Burnham Law for Civil Litigation in Boulder
Local court presence. Our Boulder civil attorneys appear regularly in Boulder County District Court. We understand the court’s procedures, its timeline expectations, and what judges in this jurisdiction respond to. That familiarity directly informs how we build and present cases.
Trial experience that affects settlement. Opposing counsel knows whether your attorneys have actually tried cases. Lawyers who have — and who are clearly prepared to do so — create a different negotiating dynamic than those who haven’t. Our civil litigators have courtroom experience and aren’t reluctant to use it.
Full-service civil practice. Civil disputes don’t always stay in one lane. A business litigation matter can involve real estate, employment, and contracts issues simultaneously. Having attorneys who handle all of these under one roof means your team can coordinate across the full picture of your case.
Direct communication. Civil litigation clients deserve to know where their case stands and what the realistic outcomes look like. We give straight answers — including when a settlement offer is reasonable and when it isn’t.
How long does a civil case take in Boulder County?
It depends on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Straightforward commercial disputes can resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex multi-party litigation with significant discovery can take 2 to 3 years. Cases that settle early in the process resolve faster; cases that proceed through full discovery and trial take longer.
What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?
In a criminal case, the government prosecutes an individual for a violation of criminal law. In a civil case, one private party sues another for money damages or equitable relief. The burden of proof is different — criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt; civil cases require a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not.
Do I need a lawyer for a civil dispute in Boulder?
Not technically — but civil procedure is complex, and unrepresented parties routinely make mistakes in pleadings, discovery, and motions that cost them the case regardless of the underlying merits. For anything involving significant money, business interests, or professional relationships, having experienced civil counsel is essential.
What happens if I lose a civil case?
If you lose as a defendant, the court enters a judgment against you for the amount awarded. That judgment can be enforced through wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens on property. If you lose as a plaintiff, you receive nothing and may be responsible for certain costs. Appeals are available when legal errors occurred in the proceedings.
Can civil and criminal cases arise from the same conduct?
Yes. The same underlying conduct can give rise to both criminal prosecution and civil liability. A physical assault, for example, can result in both criminal charges and a civil tort claim. The two proceedings are independent — a criminal acquittal does not bar a civil claim, because the burden of proof is different.
Schedule a Consultation with a Boulder Civil Lawyer
Civil disputes move on their own timeline, and the earlier you get qualified legal counsel involved, the more options you have. Whether you’re a plaintiff building a case or a defendant responding to a claim, Burnham Law’s Boulder civil attorneys are ready to assess your situation and tell you what your realistic path forward looks like.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We serve clients throughout Boulder, Boulder County, and the surrounding Front Range communities.
