Colorado Springs Appeals Lawyers — Appellate Representation After an Adverse Ruling in El Paso County
An unfavorable ruling or verdict in El Paso County District Court is not necessarily final. When a court misapplies the law, improperly admits or excludes critical evidence, issues legally deficient jury instructions, or rules incorrectly on a dispositive motion, an appeal may provide a path to reversal or remand. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs appellate attorneys analyze trial records, identify preserved legal errors, and construct the written arguments that Colorado’s appellate courts evaluate.
Meet our Colorado Springs civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in appellate practice before the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.
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 Appeals in Colorado
Civil appeals from El Paso County District Court are heard by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Cases involving significant constitutional questions or issues of broad legal importance may be reviewed by the Colorado Supreme Court, either through certiorari review after a Court of Appeals decision or through direct review in exceptional circumstances. Appellate courts do not retry cases — they do not hear new evidence, evaluate witness credibility, or reconsider factual findings that were properly made by the trial court. Their role is to review the legal framework applied below and determine whether reversible error occurred.
The appellate process is procedurally demanding and writing-intensive. Every filing — the notice of appeal, the opening brief, the response brief, and the reply — must comply with detailed formatting requirements and meet strict deadlines. The quality of the written argument is the dominant factor in appellate outcomes. Oral argument, when the court grants it, supplements but does not replace the briefs.
Before investing in an appeal, the threshold question is whether viable appellate issues were preserved at the trial court level. Colorado appellate courts review only errors that were properly raised below — through timely objections, written motions, or offers of proof on the record. Issues not preserved are subject to plain error review, a much higher standard that rarely produces reversal. Identifying what was preserved and which issues present the strongest appellate arguments requires careful, objective analysis of the complete trial record.
What Our Colorado Springs Appeals Attorneys Handle
Post-trial civil appeals: After a final judgment or order from El Paso County District Court, the losing party may appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals. We analyze the record, identify the preserved issues most likely to succeed, and develop the written argument the court will evaluate.
Interlocutory appeals: Colorado permits appeal of certain non-final orders — injunctions, class certification rulings, and other significant mid-case decisions — in limited circumstances. We evaluate whether interlocutory appeal is available and worth pursuing in specific situations.
Defending against appeals: When the opposing party appeals a favorable ruling, we represent clients on the responding side — defending the judgment below and raising preserved cross-appeal issues where appropriate.
Amicus curiae briefs: In appeals involving legal questions with significant industry or policy implications, we assist organizations in filing amicus briefs that give the appellate court a broader perspective on the consequences of its ruling.
Trial record preservation: Preserving error for appeal starts at the trial court level. For clients in active El Paso County litigation who are concerned about the direction of their case, we help ensure that objections are made, motions are filed, and the record reflects everything that may be needed on appeal.
How the Colorado Civil Appeals Process Works
A civil appeal begins with filing a Notice of Appeal within 49 days of the final judgment. This deadline is strict and jurisdictional — missing it almost certainly forfeits the right to appeal. After the notice is filed, the appellant arranges for the preparation of the trial court record, which forms the factual basis for everything the appellate court reviews.
The appellant files an opening brief presenting the legal arguments for why the lower court erred. The appellee responds. The appellant may file a reply brief. Briefing schedules are set by the court, typically spanning 6 to 12 months for the full cycle. After briefing closes, the court may grant oral argument or decide the case on the briefs. The Colorado Court of Appeals issues its decision within several months of final submission or oral argument.
Parties dissatisfied with a Court of Appeals ruling may petition the Colorado Supreme Court for certiorari review. The Supreme Court accepts a small fraction of petitions — only cases presenting significant legal questions or conflicts between Court of Appeals decisions. From Notice of Appeal through a final Supreme Court disposition, the full appellate process can take two to three years.
Why Burnham Law for Civil Appeals in Colorado Springs
Brief-writing precision. Appellate outcomes are determined primarily by the quality of the written argument. Our attorneys write appellate briefs with the legal depth, precise issue framing, and persuasive clarity these courts require.
Candid evaluation. Not every adverse ruling produces a viable appeal. One of the most important services an appellate attorney provides is an honest assessment of whether there are strong preserved issues worth pursuing — before the client commits to the time and expense of the appellate process.
Coordination with trial counsel. We work with trial counsel to evaluate records, assist with brief preparation, or assume full appellate representation, depending on what serves the client best in their specific situation.
Colorado appellate familiarity. The Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court have their own filing requirements, argument conventions, and jurisprudential tendencies. We practice before these courts regularly and present arguments in the form they find most effective.
How long do I have to appeal a civil ruling from El Paso County District Court?
For most civil cases, you have 49 days from the date of final judgment to file a Notice of Appeal. This deadline is strict — missing it typically ends the right to appeal. Some types of interlocutory appeals have shorter deadlines. If you received an adverse ruling and are considering an appeal, contact an appellate attorney as soon as possible after the decision.
Can a jury verdict be reversed on appeal?
Yes, but the standard is demanding. Appellate courts don’t reweigh evidence or second-guess jury credibility determinations. Reversing a jury verdict requires showing that a legal error affected the outcome — such as improper jury instructions, erroneously admitted or excluded evidence, or a verdict that cannot be sustained as a matter of law. The strength of a jury verdict appeal depends heavily on what errors were preserved during trial.
What does it mean to “preserve” an issue for appeal?
An issue is preserved for appeal when it was raised in the trial court — through a timely objection, a written motion, or an offer of proof on the record — and ruled on by the judge. Issues not raised below are generally not reviewable on appeal or are subject to the much more forgiving plain error standard. This is why deliberate record preservation during litigation is critical for any case that may ultimately be appealed.
How much does a civil appeal cost in Colorado?
Civil appeals require significant attorney time for record review, legal research, and brief writing. Total attorney fees for a full civil appeal in Colorado typically range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the issues and the length of the trial record. The decision to appeal should weigh the strength of the legal issues, the amount at stake, and the realistic cost of the process.
What is the difference between appealing a ruling and filing a motion for reconsideration?
A motion for reconsideration asks the same trial court judge to reconsider their ruling. An appeal asks a higher court to review for legal error. These are different remedies with different standards and timelines. In some circumstances, a post-trial motion must be filed in the trial court before certain appellate issues are preserved. An appellate attorney can evaluate which options are available and in what sequence they should be pursued.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Appeals Lawyer
Appellate deadlines are strict. If you received an adverse ruling in El Paso County District Court and believe a legal error affected the outcome, contact our Colorado Springs appellate attorneys promptly for an evaluation of your appellate options.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We represent appellants and appellees in civil matters before the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.
